Well, it appears Jeff Luhnow's vehement denials that Houston was not in active negotiations with anyone were right on target. Utility infielder Jose Lopez, who was rumored to be in Houston this week to take a physical before signing with the Astros, is instead close to signing with Japan's Yomiuri Giants. The physical he referred to in Houston was for that deal and not one with the Astros.

Multiple reports have him tied to the Giants of the Nippon Professional League, though no deal has been reached yet. Which means that Jake Elmore, Marwin Gonzalez and Tyler Greene can breathe easy that another utility infielder isn't on the way to Houston to steal their hard-earned jobs.