Jarred Cosart is among seven players added to the Houston Astros 40-man roster. The moves protect the players from the upcoming Rule 5 Draft and ensure spots in spring training next year.

The other six are right-handed pitchers Ross Seaton, Jose Cisnero, Chia-Jen Lo, left-hander Brett Oberholtzer, infielder Jonathan Villar and outfielder Robbie Grossman.

Cosart was part of the trade that sent outfielder Hunter Pence to the Philadelphia Phillies. The right-hander is Houston's top pitching prospect and finished 6-7 with a 3.30 ERA in 20 starts at Double-A Corpus Christi and Oklahoma City last season.

The Astros currently have 36 players on their roster after sending outfielder Scott Moore to Triple-A and losing reliever Mickey Storey in waivers to the New York Yankees. Houston, however, holds the first pick in the Rule 5 Draft and has maneuverability with signing additional free agents.

The deadline to protect players from the draft was Tuesday at 11:59 p.m. ET.