Henry

Sosa

Sosa returns for a fourth season overseas in Taiwan. The 36-year-old Dominican right-hander last appeared in the majors back in 2011 and hasn’t appeared in the minors since 2014.

Sosa will be in the Oklahoma City rotation to start this year. He’s probably first in line for a call-up if there’s an injury in the major-league starting rotation.

The ‘Stros need a new stopper now that Mark Melancon is in Boston. Lyon would be the obvious favorite if his recovery from surgery to repair a detached right biceps tendon and a torn labrum goes well, but that’s no safe bet. Carpenter pitched relatively well down the stretch last season, while Sosa has been starting but is probably destined for the bullpen over the long haul. It’s possible hard-throwing Rule 5 pick Rhiner Cruz could eventually get into the mix, but he’s way too raw right now.

“Lyon has experience and a lot of the closer role really is about having experience in those pressure situations,’' Luhnow said. ''No matter what, whether it’s the ninth, eighth or seventh inning, he will play an important role because of his veteran presence.” Lyon, who is owed $5.5 million in 2012, posted an ugly 11.48 ERA in 15 games this past season before undergoing surgery in June to repair a detached right biceps tendon and a torn labrum. Wilton Lopez, David Carpenter, Henry Sosa and Rule 5 pick Rhiner Cruz are also possibilities for the ninth-inning gig.

It’s a little surprising, as Sosa is just 26 and has a fastball that sits in the mid-90s. But, he posted a 5.23 ERA in 10 starts for the Astros last year and wasn’t any better this season at Triple-A Oklahoma City, holding a 5.12 mark with just 21 strikeouts over 31 2/3 innings.

He gave up seven hits -- including three homers -- while striking out two and walking a pair. Coming off three stellar starts, in which he had allowed only four runs over 18 innings, we told you we would have a hard time recommending him in NL-only formats. Today, he showed precisely why.

Sosa limited the Cubs to just four hits, but also walked five, including four in the first inning. He struck out five in the loss and now holds a 4.74 ERA and 33/20 K/BB ratio in 43 2/3 innings over his first eight major league starts. He doesn’t come recommended with a start against the Rockies next week.

Sosa struggled a couple starts ago against the Nationals, but for the most part he’s been quite good of late, allowing three or fewer runs in five of his last six outings. He’s going to have to get his control in order and ultimately probably better profiles as a reliever, but he’s held his own thus far. Sosa will bring a 4.68 ERA and 1.40 WHIP into his final start next week, which will come against the Cardinals.

The 28-year-old spent the 2013 season pitching in the Korean Baseball Organization, where he posted a 5.47 ERA, 1.60 WHIP and 143/68 K/BB ratio in 164 2/3 innings. He’ll serve as additional starting pitching depth in the Dodgers organization.

Sosa was 6-0 with a 0.73 ERA, 30 H and 61/25 K/BB in 62 IP for low Single-A Augusta. With his mid-90s fastball, he’s one of the Giants’ best pitching prospects.