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The internal observation period is over. The Astros are making moves left and right with the major league roster. Lucas Harrell designated for assignment, Robbie Grossman optioned to Triple-A Oklahoma City, and Scott Feldman returned from bereavement leave. The next question was who would get the fifth starter post in place of Harrell? Brian McTaggart tweeted early that it was down to two -
GM Jeff Luhnow said Jerome Williams or Brad Peacock would likely take Harrell's spot.
— Brian McTaggart (@brianmctaggart) April 16, 2014
A few hours later, Bo Porter in his pre-Springer Day (I mean pregame) interviews named Brad Peacock the fifth starter.
Manager Bo Porter said that Brad Peacock will join the #Astros rotation, replacing Harrell.
— Houston Astros (@astros) April 16, 2014
The Astros traded for Brad Peacock at the start of the 2013 season as part of the of the trade that sent Jed Lowrie to Oakland. He bounced between Houston and Triple-A Oklahoma City for the first part of the season, posting a 6-2 record with 2.73 ERA and 1.10 WHIP in 79 innings. Peacock made 14 starts for the Astros in 2013, posting a 5-6 record with a 5.00 ERA and 1.36 WHIP in those starts. He closed the season with six quality starts in his last nine starts in 2013.
Peacock has struggled out of the gate in 2014, allowing six runs in his first nine innings of relief.
It was surprising when Peacock wasn't selected for the Astros Opening Day rotation, he had an excellent spring - 1.83 ERA, 1.02 WHIP, 15 strikeouts and five walks in the month of March. No matter, he was the first man up.