Astros playing winter ball - 2009

[OregonStrosFan]

As noted in Ed Wade's live chat yesterday, Wesley Wright is going to play winter ball in the Dominican and will be a starter there. SNS LINK

Levine also notes in his blog that Drew Locke has healed better than expected to this point and is looking to play winter ball as well.  LINK

I spoke with Class AA Corpus Christi MVP Drew Locke when he was picking up his award in Houston over the weekend. He said his hand was feeling much better and that he hopes to play winter ball, which was unexpected based on the prognosis I got from the club when he was hit by a pitch with a week to go in the minor league season.

"We are currently trying to contact a few Winter Ball teams to see if they are willing to accept him when he is ready to return to action around November 1," Bennett wrote in an e-mail.

[OregonStrosFan]

Zach Levine (you know, the legit Astros reporter at the Chron) with the rundown on Astros playing winter ball.  LINK

Give the links a couple of clicks.  Let the bean counters at the Chron know that informative and well researched Astros reporting can draw as much interest as Pinwheel / JdJO drivel...

ETA: Feel free to throw in a positive comment or two as well...

[OregonStrosFan]

Farmstros also has a link up regarding Astros in the winter leagues, which includes some other players not noted on Levine's list.  LINK

Chief among the new names was Papa Grande.

[Hornstros]

Can't remember if this has been brought up before or not on here....but apparently the Astros are transitioning Fernando Abad to a starting role.

He had been called up to the Hooks at the end of the season and had made three starts....he has already made a start in Winter ball...the early returns have been favorable

I've always read positive things about Abad since he was at lower levels in the minors.   Anyone have any insight on his repertoire?   Has he recently added a third pitch perhaps?

[juliogotay]

Can't remember if this has been brought up before or not on here....but apparently the Astros are transitioning Fernando Abad to a starting role.

He had been called up to the Hooks at the end of the season and had made three starts....he has already made a start in Winter ball...the early returns have been favorable

I've always read positive things about Abad since he was at lower levels in the minors.   Anyone have any insight on his repertoire?   Has he recently added a third pitch perhaps?

I know nothing about Abad's pitches but he is one of the names Pedrique mentioned on the interview with Greg Lucas in early October. the question was to provide some names of guys that may be in Houston soon.

[OregonStrosFan]

Dominican League

Aguilas Cibaenas:
•    Jose Duran : RHP, age 24, Lancaster
•    Marcos Cabral: SS, age 25, Lancaster
•    Honorable mention: Jose Lima: RHP, age 37

Estrellas de Oriente
•    Jose Trinidad: RHP, age 22, Lexington

Gigantes del Cibao
•    Erick Abreu: RHP, age 26, Lancaster/Corpus Christi/Round Rock
•    Jose Capellan : RHP, age 28, Round Rock
•    Jhon Florentino : 3B, age 26, Corpus Christi

Leones del Escogido
•   None

Tigres del Licey
•    Alberto Arias: RHP, age 26, Round Rock/Astros
•    Samuel Gervacio: RHP, age 24, Round Rock/Astros
•    Polin Trinidad: LHP, age 24, Corpus Christi/Round Rock
•    Henry Villar: RHP, age 22. Lexington
•    Yordany Ramirez: OF, R/R, age 25, Round Rock

Toros del Este
•    Fernando Abad: LHP, age 23, Lancaster/Corpus Christi
•    Armando Benitez: RHP, age 36, Round Rock
•    Jose Capellan: LHP, age 23, Round Rock
•    Leandro Cespedes: RHP, age 22, Lancaster
•    Jose Valverde: RHP, age 31, Astros
•    Wesley Wright: LHP, age 24, Astros
•    Ebert Rosario: 3B, R/R, age 22, Lexington/Lancaster

[Astroholic]

Dominican League

Aguilas Cibaenas:25, Lancaster
•    Honorable mention: Jose Lima: RHP, age 37

Is this Lima Tine?  Wow, did not think he was pitching any longer.

[OregonStrosFan]

Wright, Bogusevic suffer minor injuries (McTaggart blog)

Wright, who is being converted to a starter in the Dominican Winter League, took a line drive off his heel while pitching Thursday night and underwent X-rays. General manager Ed Wade said the club may bring the left-hander to Houston soon to be examined by team doctors.

"He was due to come back here at some point before Christmas, and we may accelerate that and get him back here and checked out," he said.

***

Bogusevic... was examined Friday in Houston by team medical director Dr. David Lintner after he injured his left knee landing awkwardly on first base during a game in Puerto Rico on Wednesday. Wade said the injury is not believed to be serious.

"We thought initially it was a meniscus injury," he said. "We're still waiting to find out more, but he's not going back immediately."