Astros add Torreyes, Feliz, and Velasquez to 40-man roster ahead of Rule 5 draft; leave Gustave, Pena, and DeShields Jr. unprotected

Earlier today, the Astros announced they had added utility man Ronald Torreyes and righthander Vincent Velasquez to their 40-man roster. Righthander Michael Feliz was also added with just over an hour left before tonight's roster deadline for Rule 5 draft.

In corresponding moves, relievers Josh Zeid and Anthony Bass were removed from the 40-man roster. Zeid was waived and claimed by the Detroit Tigers, Brad Ausmus managed Zeid on Team Israel during the 2013 World Baseball Classic. Zeid in two season with the Astros, he appears in 48 games, posting a 0-1 record with a 5.21 ERA and a 1.55 WHIP. He had a 7.8 K/9 rate and 2.21 strike-to-walk rate in 48.1 innings. Zeid was originally acquired as part of the Hunter Pence trade with the Philadelphia Phillies.

Bass was outrighted to Triple-A Fresno, Bass has the right to accept the assignment or request free-agency. The Astros traded for Bass last December, and he appeared in 21 games with a 1-1 record, 6.33 ERA, and 1.44 WHIP this past season.

Vincent Velasquez was drafted by the Astros in the second round in 2010, and is currently ranked eighth among Astros prospect by MLB.com. Velasquez pitched in the Arizona Fall League, but had his run cut short with an injury.

Utility player Ronald Torreyes played 2B, 3B, SS, LF, and CF for Triple-A Oklahoma City last season, while batting .298 in 519 plate appearances.

After hours of conversation about Michael Feliz being selected first-overall in Rule 5 draft if left unprotected, Feliz was added to the 40-man roster. MLB.com ranks Feliz as the seventh-best prosect in the Astros system. Astros general manager Jeff Luhnow explained the move:

Luhnow: "We were working on something that didn't come to fruition and the end result of that is we're putting Feliz on the roster."

— Brian McTaggart (@brianmctaggart) November 21, 2014

The Astros roster is currently sits at 39 players. Notable players that were left unprotected - righthander Jandel Gustave, lefthander Tommy Shirley, catcher Roberto Pena and outfielder Delino DeShields Jr. DeShields was drafted eighth-overall in the 2010 draft and is ranked 12th among Astros prospects by MLB.com. DeShields batted .236 in 114 games with Double-A Corpus Christi last season.