Faced with the prospect of opening the season without infielders Jeff Keppinger and Clint Barmes, the Astros dipped into the utility infielder market on Sunday, acquiring Tampa Bay’s Joe Inglett for a Player To Be Named Later or cash. Inglett isn’t on the 40-man roster just yet, but he’ll have a shot to beat out Tommy Manzella for what looks to be the last spot. Inglett, 32, had his best season with the Blue Jays in 2008, when he hit .297 with three homers in 385 plate appearances. While he can play many positions, he’s stretched defensively and is more of a fill-in player for those spots.
The Astros also sent Rule Five pick Lance Pendleton back to the Yankees. Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports that the Astros had tried to make a deal with the Yankees to hold on to Pendleton, but the two sides couldn’t see eye-to-eye. Since Pendleton was selected in the Rule Five Draft, he would have had to stay on the 40-man roster all season or be offered back to the Yankees. Fellow Rule Five pick Aneury Rodriguez seems like he will make the back of the Astros bullpen.