Henry

Villar

Villar got the boot on Wednesday so that the Astros could clear a 40-man roster spot for young outfielder Fernando Martinez. The 24-year-old registered a 5.45 ERA and 48/29 K/BB ratio last year in 76 minor league innings.

Villar was designated for assignment earlier this month but has cleared waivers and will remain in the organization. The 24-year-old registered a 5.45 ERA and 48/29 K/BB ratio last year in 76 minor league innings.

Villar is now safe from next month’s Rule 5 Draft. The 25-year-old righty registered a cool 1.16 WHIP and 30/8 K/BB ratio in 50 innings this past season in Double-A.

Also in contention will be veteran Nelson Figueroa and 20-year-old Jordan Lyles. Relievers Fernando Abad and Henry Villar could also be considered, but they’ll likely wind up back in the bullpen. The most interesting name here, other than Lyles, is Rodriguez, who compiled a 3.71 ERA, 1.33 WHIP and 7.3 K/9 rate over 29 games (19 starts) between Double- and Triple-A this past season. Rowland-Smith, though, is likely the favorite despite coming off a terrible year with the Mariners.

Villar, 23, posted a 4.15 ERA over 11 starts and 25 relief appearances with the Hooks, averaging 6.0 K/9 and 3.7 BB/9. Though he was used exclusively as a starting pitcher over the past two months at Double-A, he’ll be a reliever with the Astros down the stretch.

The Astros are still sorting through a bullpen in which only Brandon Lyon, Wilton Lopez, Mark Melancon and Jeff Fulchino seem to have secure jobs. Villar and Rule 5 pick Aneury Rodriguez (3 ER in 1 IP) hurt their cases today, while lefties Gustavo Chacin and Fernando Abad probably helped themselves with scoreless innings.

Villar failed to win a spot in the Astros’ bullpen this spring decent a decent stat line. He’ll operate as organizational relief depth throughout the year for Houston.