Jack

Winkler

Winkler, 27, did his damage off of Cardinals’ right-hander Kyle Leahy in the second inning — crushing a 1-0 fastball for a 397-foot (106.5 mph EV) solo shot. With a strong showing in Grapefruit League play, Winkley could push for a utility spot on the Astros’ Opening Day roster, though he’s likely fighting an uphill battle.

There’s no shortage of versatile utility specialists lurking around the fringes of Houston’s big-league roster with Winkler becoming the latest addition. The 27-year-old got into 14 games for the Marlins last year, going 4-for-16 at the dish with a pair of doubles and one stolen base. He struck out at a nearly 30 percent clip at the Triple-A level last year but managed to post a respectable 632 OPS with six homers and 25 thefts across 281 plate appearances. He represents quality emergency depth for the Astros entering next season.

Roa, a former Reds prospect, pitched three scoreless innings for the Marlins and had a 2.83 ERA in 60 1/3 innings for Jacksonville last season. Both he and Winkler have been outrighted before, so they can become free agents.

Winkler heads back to the minors with Miami activating a trio of position players prior to Tuesday’s series opener against the Rockies.

The light-hitting Winkler served two stints with the Marlins earlier this season, going 2-for-12. The team DFA’d him after the second one, but he cleared waivers. He’ll occupy a utility role for now and probably again find himself off the 40-man once the season ends.

Winkler passed through waivers unclaimed after being designated for assignment earlier this week. The 26-year-old offers enough defensive versatility to envision him occupying a bench role somewhere down the line, but he doesn’t offer much at the dish.

Winkler, 26, went 2-for-12 in two stints with the Marlins. While he’s a versatile defender, he’s just a .237/.320/.354 hitter in five minor league seasons.

Winker rejoins Miami’s bench mix prior to Tuesday’s game against the Padres in the wake of outfielder Derek Hill requiring a trip to the injured list with a sprained finger. The 26-year-old infielder went 1-for-11 with a stolen base in nine games earlier this season with the Marlins.

Winkler has been shipped back to the minors ahead of Tuesday’s series opener against the Twins. The 26-year-old rookie infielder went 1-for-11 with a stolen base in nine games with the Marlins.

Winkler, a former A’s prospect, is in the majors for the first time. He hit .275/.331/.423 with 15 steals in 15 attempts for Jacksonville, which is a step up from what he typically hit in the A’s system. Still, he’s probably a 26th man at best, and he could return to the minors when Xavier Edwards is activated.