Two key decisions were made by the Astros on Sunday. First, in a move that actually happened Saturday (but that broke after I'd posted my Barmes story), the Astros brought Tommy Manzella back to big league camp to compete with Angel Sanchez and Co. for the starting shortstop job. I know what I said yesterday, but Manzella and Sanchez have to be the two main guys competing for this job, right? I don't see the Astros really considering Matt Downs or Anderson Hernandez at short, but they might carry both Manzella and Sanchez now, which could bump Downs or Hernandez off the 25-man roster.
The Astros also sent Lance Pendleton back to the Yankees, ending one of their Rule 5 experiments. With every passing day, it looks more and more likely that Aneury Rodriguez will be on the Opening Day roster, possibly as the long reliever.
Pendleton's move also opens up a second spot on the 40-man roster for someone like J.B. Shuck, if he makes the team. That's key, since Shuck is a non-roster invitee and would have to be on the Opening Day roster. The Astros currently have 38 spots filled on the 40-man, since Cesar Carillo cleared waivers last week when he was reassigned to Oklahoma City.
Manzella has been hitting very well all camp and has shown some defensive versatility. If the Astros decided to send him down so he can play every day, would they want to carry him in this case to get the occasional start at short? What do you think?
EDIT Update: The Astros acquired LHB Joe Inglett from the Tampa Bay Rays. Inglett is a utility player and pinch hitter.