Chia-Jen Lo clears waivers; 40-Man roster down to 39

While the focus of the rainbow world that is Astrosland was on Roy Oswalt and Lance Berkman, a quiet note was passed along on twitter. Chia-Jen Lo had been taken off the Astros' 40-Man roster after clearing waivers and was outrighted to Oklahoma City.

Class AAA OKC RHP Chia-Jen Lo cleared waivers, was taken off the 40-man roster and was outrighted back to OKC. There are now 39 on 40-man.

— Jose de Jesus Ortiz (@OrtizKicks) April 5, 2014

Lo had been one of the many young arms called up to stop the bleeding in the 2013 Astros bullpen. He pitched 19.1 innings in 2013 with 4.19 ERA, 1.40 WHIP, and 4.19 FIP*. Lo collected two saves during that period.

He closed out the season in 2013 by allowing only threes and two earned runs over his final eight appearances. Even with that being the case, Lo didn't make the Opening Day roster after the Astros spent much of their off-season budget on relief pitching.

The then becomes who will fill that final spot on the 40-Man roster? Is it a waiver claim that seems to fit the Astros' modus operandi. Evan Drellich points out that as a result of their worst record 2013, Houston has first dibs any American League  player put on waivers. If the player is from the National League, the Astros sit behind the other National League teams.

Is it Springer or Appel? Probably not. Who do you think the Astros will add to the 40-Man roster?

*Stats courtesy of Fangraphs