The Houston Astros have decided to trade 30-year-old outfielder Justin Ruggiano to the Miami Marlins in exchange for minor league switch hitting catcher Jobduan Morales. Ruggiano came to the Astros as non-roster invitee for spring training and was immediately sent to AAA Oklahoma City after spring training and has had played well by hitting .325 with five home runs and 29 RBIs in 39 games.
Morales is a young player at 20-years-old, but he has a few years of experience since he was a ninth-round selection in the 2009 MLB draft. He will report to the Astros extended spring training in Kissimmee, Fla., and will be assigned to one of the Astros minor league clubs shortly after.
Morales spent the 2011 in the rookie New York-Penn League and batting .272 with four home runs, 23 RBIs and a .385 on-base percentage in 52 games.
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