Houston Astros Transactions 2012

December
DATETRANSACTION
22 December 2012Assigned 3B Brandon Laird and OF Che-Hsuan Lin outright to Oklahoma City (PCL).
21 December 2012Agreed to terms with RHP Jose Veras on a one-year contract.
19 December 2012Named Meg Vaillancourt vice president of community relations and executive director of the Astros In Action Foundation. Traded LHP Rob Rasmussen to the L.A. Dodgers for RHP John Ely.
18 December 2012Designated RHP Mickey Storey for assignment.
17 December 2012Agreed to terms with DH Carlos Pena on a one-year contract.
14 December 2012Named Dyar Miller minor league pitching coordinator, Ralph Dickenson minor league hitting coordinator, Craig Bjornson roving pitching instructor and Jeff Albert roving hitting instructor and Brendan Verner minor league strength and conditioning coordinator.
4 December 2012Acquired RHP Alex White and RHP Alex Gillingham from Colorado for RHP Wilton Lopez and a player to be named or cash considerations.
November
DATETRANSACTION
30 November 2012Claimed RHP Philip Humber off waivers from the Chicago White Sox and agreed to terms with him on a one-year contract.
27 November 2012Agreed to terms with OF Trevor Crowe, LHP Sergio Escalona, RHP Edgar Gonzalez and RHP Jose Valdez on minor league contracts. Announced the resignation of vice president of marketing and strategy Kathleen Clark.
20 November 2012Selected the contracts of RHP Jose Cisnero, RHP Jarred Cosart, LHP Brett Olberholtzer and RHP Ross Seaton from Oklahoma City (PCL); OF Robbie Grossman and INF Jonathan Villar from Corpus Christi (TL); and RHP Chia-Jen Lo from Lancaster (Cal). Assigned INF Scott Moore outright to Oklahoma City.
6 November 2012Named David Stearns assistant general manager.
5 November 2012Named Dennis Martinez bullpen coach and Eduardo Perez bench coach.
3 November 2012Announced OF Brian Bogusevic, OF J.B. Shuck and RHP Jorge De Leon cleared waivers, refused outright assignments and elected to become free agents. Assigned RHP Chuckie Fick outright to Oklahoma City (PCL). Announced RHP Arcenio Leon was claimed by Milwaukee.
1 November 2012Declined to exercise their mutual option on the contract of C Chris Snyder. Claimed RHP Sam Demel and INF Jake Elmore off waivers from Arizona. Sent LHP Fernando Abad, LHP Sergio Escalona, RHP Edgar Gonzalez, RHP Jose Valdez, RHP Kyle Weiland and INF Matt Downs to Oklahoma City (PCL).
October
DATETRANSACTION
26 October 2012Claimed OF Che-Hsuan Lin off waivers from the Boston Red Sox. Designated RHP Enerio Del Rosario for assignment.
19 October 2012Named John Mallee hitting coach and Dave Trembley coach. Announced pitching coach Doug Brocail and coach Dave Clark will also return for 2013.
4 October 2012Recalled LHP Rudy Owens and OF J.B. Shuck from Oklahoma City (PCL); RHP Arcenio Leon and RHP Paul Clemens from Corpus Christi (TL); and RHP Jorge De Leon from Lancaster (Cal).
September
DATETRANSACTION
27 September 2012Named Bo Porter manager.
24 September 2012Signed a two-year player development contract with Quad Cities (MWL).
20 September 2012Acquired LHP Theron Geith from Tampa Bay as the player to be named later in the August 31 trade involving OF Ben Francisco.
14 September 2012Renewed their player development contract with the Lancaster (CALIF.) through the 2014 season.
12 September 2012Reinstated SS Jed Lowrie from the 15-day DL.
11 September 2012Announced they have extended its player development contract with Oklahoma City (PCL) through the 2014 season.
6 September 2012Extended its Player Development Contract with the Tri-City ValleyCats of the New York-Penn League through the 2014 season.
3 September 2012Recalled C Carlos Corporan, RHP Chuckie Fick, LHP Dallas Keuchel and OF J.D. Martinez from Oklahoma City (PCL). Assigned RHP Mark Hamburger outright to Oklahoma City.
2 September 2012Selected the contract of RHP Edgar Gonzalez from Oklahoma City (PCL).
1 September 2012Claimed INF Brandon Laird off waivers from the New York Yankees. Recalled INF Matt Downs from Oklahoma City (PCL). Reinstated OF Jordan Schafer from the 15-day DL. Selected the contract of RHP Jose Valdez from Oklahoma City.
August
DATETRANSACTION
31 August 2012Traded OF Ben Francisco to Tampa Bay for a player to be named. Named Oz Ocampo director of international scouting and Kevin Goldstein pro scouting coordinator.
27 August 2012Recalled OF Jimmy Paredes from Oklahoma City (PCL).
22 August 2012Selected the contract of RHP Hector Ambriz from Oklahoma City (PCL). Designated RHP Armando Galarraga for assignment.
19 August 2012Named Tony DeFrancesco interim manager. Named Tom Lawless manager of Oklahoma City (PCL).
18 August 2012Fired manager Brad Mills, hitting coach Mike Barnett and first base coach Bobby Meacham.
12 August 2012Reinstated C Jason Castro from the 15-day DL. Optioned C Carlos Corporan to Oklahoma City (PCL).
11 August 2012Assigned 2B Brian Bixler to Oklahoma City (PCL). Named Mike Elias scouting director. Announced the contract of Bobby Heck, assistant general manager/director of scouting, will not be renewed.
10 August 2012Optioned OF J.D. Martinez and INF Matt Downs to Oklahoma City (PCL). Recalled OF Fernando Martinez from Oklahoma City.
9 August 2012Designated INF Brian Bixler for assignment.
7 August 2012Placed OF Jordan Schafer on the 15-day DL. Selected the contract of OF Brandon Barnes from Oklahoma City (PCL). Designated RHP Juan Abreu for assignment.
6 August 2012Agreed to terms with RHP Brian Sanches on a minor league contract.
5 August 2012Assigned RHP Chris Devenski to Lexington (SAL).
4 August 2012Optioned RHP Garrett Mock to Oklahoma City (PCL).
3 August 2012Placed RHP Francisco Cordero on the 15-day DL. Recalled RHP Mickey Storey from Oklahoma City (PCL).
July
DATETRANSACTION
30 July 2012Optioned 2B Brian Bixler to Oklahoma City (PCL). Recalled 1B Brett Wallace from Oklahoma City.
28 July 2012Assigned RHP Enerio Del Rosario and RHP Aneury Rodriguez outright to Oklahoma City (PCL). Claimed INF Steve Pearce off waivers from Baltimore. Selected the contract of RHP Armando Galarraga from Oklahoma City.
27 July 2012Claimed RHP Chuckie Fick off waivers from St. Louis.
24 July 2012Assigned C Jon Carnahan to the Gulf Coast Astros.
22 July 2012Assigned RHP Gera Sanchez to the Gulf Coast Astros. Claimed RHP Mark Hamburger off waivers from San Diego and assigned him to Oklahoma City (PCL). Recalled LHP Dallas Keuchel from Oklahoma City. Traded RHP Brett Myers to the Chicago White Sox for RHP Matthew Heidenreich and LHP Blair Walters.
20 July 2012Acquired RHP Francisco Cordero, OF Ben Francisco, RHP Joe Musgrove, RHP Asher Wojciechowski, LHP David Rollins, C Carlos Perez and a player to be named for RHP Brandon Lyon, LHP J.A. Happ and RHP David Carpenter from Toronto.
18 July 2012Agreed to terms with OF Preston Tucker on a minor league contract.
15 July 2012Placed INF Jed Lowrie and C Jason Castro on the 15-day DL. Reinstated SS Marwin Gonzalez from the 15-day DL. Selected the contract of C Carlos Corporan from Oklahoma City (PCL).
14 July 2012Reinstated OF Justin Maxwell from the 15-day DL.
9 July 2012Reinstated RHP Wilton Lopez from the 15-day DL. Optioned 3B Matt Dominguez and RHP David Carpenter to Oklahoma City (PCL).
4 July 2012Acquired INF Matt Dominguez and LHP Rob Rasmussen from Miami for 1B Carlos Lee. Assigned Rasmussen to Corpus Christi (Texas).
3 July 2012Agreed to terms with C Victor Tavarez, OF Luis Payano and SS Kristian Trompiz on minor league contracts.
June
DATETRANSACTION
29 June 2012Reinstated RHP Bud Norris from the 15-day DL. Optioned LHP Xavier Cedeno to Oklahoma City (PCL).
28 June 2012Assigned RHP Rauldison Rodriguez and 3B Rio Ruiz to the Gulf Coast Astros and C Tyler Heineman to Tri-City (NYP).
26 June 2012Placed OF Justin Maxwell on the 15-day DL. Selected the contract of INF Scott Moore from Oklahoma City (PCL). Activated OF Travis Buck and Fernando Martinez from the 15-day DL. Designated Buck for assignment and optioned Martinez to Oklahoma City. Agreed to terms with INF Nolan Fontana.
25 June 2012Agreed to terms with INF Rio Ruiz.
20 June 2012Agreed to terms with RHP Hector Ambriz on a minor league contract and assigned him to Oklahoma City (PCL).
18 June 2012Agreed to terms with RHP Lance McCullers on a minor league contract.
17 June 2012Activated OF Carlos Lee from the 15-day DL. Placed RHP Bud Norris on the 15-day DL, retroactive to June 12. Selected the contract of LHP Dallas Keuchel from Oklahoma City (PCL). Optioned INF Brett Walace to Oklahoma City. Transferred LHP Sergio Escalona to the 60-day DL.
9 June 2012Recalled INF Matt Downs from Oklahoma City (PCL). Placed OF Fernando Martinez on the 7-day concussion DL. Agreed to terms with RHP Daniel Minor, OF Daniel Gulbransen, RHP Aaron West, INF Austin Elkins, INF Angel Ibanez, RHP Christian Garcia, RHP Jordan Jankowski and RHP Michael Dimock on minor league contracts.
8 June 2012Agreed to terms with OF Andrew Aplin, OF Terrell Joyce, LHP Brian Holmes, INF Joseph Sclafani, RHP Erick Gonzalez, C Richard Gingras, RHP John Neely and C M.P. Cokinos on minor league contracts.
7 June 2012Agreed to terms with SS Carlos Correa on a minor league contract.
6 June 2012Agreed to terms with RHP Brady Rodgers.
3 June 2012Recalled INF Brett Wallace from Oklahoma City (PCL). Placed INF Carlos Lee on the 15-day DL.
2 June 2012Recalled OF Fernando Martinez from Oklahoma City (PCL). Placed OF Travis Buck on the 15-day DL, retroactive to May 29. Optioned INF Matt Downs to Oklahoma City. Recalled RHP Jordan Lyles from Oklahoma City.
May
DATETRANSACTION
28 May 2012Recalled RHP Jordan Lyles and RHP David Henderson from Oklahoma City (PCL). Optioned RHP Enerio Del Rosario to Oklahoma City.
27 May 2012Placed LHP Fernando Abad on the 15-day DL, retroactive to May 25. Selected the contract of LHP Xavier Cedeno from Oklahoma City (PCL).
26 May 2012Traded OF Justin Ruggiano to Miami for C Jobduan Morales.
15 May 2012Recalled RHP Jordan Lyles from Oklahoma City (PCL). Optioned RHP David Carpenter to Oklahoma City.
April
DATETRANSACTION
29 April 2012Recalled RHP Jordan Lyles from Oklahoma City (PCL). Optioned INF Brian Bixler to Oklahoma City.
27 April 2012Recalled LHP Fernando Abad and INF Brian Bixler from Oklahoma City (PCL). Placed INF Marwin Gonzalez on the paternity list. Placed RHP Kyle Weiland on the 15-day DL, retroactive to April 25.
12 April 2012Optioned INF Brian Bixler to Oklahoma City (PCL).
9 April 2012Optioned LHP Fernando Abad to Oklahoma City (PCL).
8 April 2012Claimed OF Justin Maxwell off waivers from the New York Yankees.
6 April 2012Placed INF Jed Lowrie on the 15-day DL, retroactive to March 29. Selected the contract of INF Brian Bixler from Oklahoma City (PCL).
4 April 2012Sent RHP Henry Sosa outright to Oklahoma City (PCL). Placed LHP Sergio Escalona on the 15-day DL. Selected the contract of OF Travis Buck from Oklahoma City. Assigned OF Justin Ruggiano to Oklahoma City.
3 April 2012Optioned OF J.B. Shuck to Oklahoma City (PCL).
2 April 2012Optioned RHP Jordan Lyles to Oklahoma City (PCL).
1 April 2012Optioned INF Brett Wallace to Oklahoma City (PCL).
March
DATETRANSACTION
31 March 2012Reassigned C Carlos Corporan to their minor league camp.
30 March 2012Released RHP Livan Hernandez.
29 March 2012Announced senior vice president of communications Jay Lucas has left the club, and his duties will be assumed by vice president of marketing and strategy Kathleen Clark.
28 March 2012Optioned RHP Enerio Del Rosario to Oklahoma City (PCL). Reassigned INF Brian Bixler, INF Scott Moore and INF Angel Sanchez to minor league camp. Released INF Joe Thurston from his minor league contract.
27 March 2012Released 1B-OF Jack Cust unconditionally and LHP Zach Duke from his minor league contract.
23 March 2012Optioned 3B Jimmy Paredes, OF Fernando Martinez and RHP Aneury Rodriguez to Oklahoma City (PCL). Reassigned LHP Xavier Cedeno, RHP Jose Valdez and OF Brad Snyder to their minor league camp.
16 March 2012Optioned RHP Juan Abreu and RHP Paul Clemens to Oklahoma City (PCL). Reassigned C Chris Wallace, C Rene Garcia, INF Jonathan Singleton, INF Diory Hernandez, OF Brandon Barnes, OF Jacob Goebbert and RHP Lance Pendleton to their minor league camp.
6 March 2012Named Kathleen Clark vice president of marketing and strategy.
2 March 2012Agreed to terms with OF J.D. Martinez on a one-year contract.
February
DATETRANSACTION
28 February 2012Agreed to terms with RHP Jorge De Leon and OF J.B. Shuck on one-year contracts.
27 February 2012Agreed to terms with INF Marwin Gonzalez on a one-year contract.
25 February 2012Agreed to terms with RHP Rhiner Cruz, RHP Aneury Rodriguez and RHP Kyle Weiland on one-year contracts.
24 February 2012Agreed to terms with OF Fernando Martinez, LHP Sergio Escalona and RHP Wilton Lopez on one-year contracts.
23 February 2012Agreed to terms with OF Jason Bourgeois, RHP David Carpenter and LHP Wesley Wright on one-year contracts.
22 February 2012Agreed to terms with OF Jason Bourgeois, RHP David Carpenter and LHP Wesley Wright on one-year contracts.
18 February 2012Agreed to terms with LHP Fernando Abad, OF Brian Bogusevic, C Jason Castro, RHP Paul Clemens, IF Chris Johnson, RHP Fernando Rodriguez and IF Brett Wallace on one-year contracts.
8 February 2012Agreed to terms with SS Jed Lowrie on a one-year contract.
6 February 2012Agreed to terms with OF Justin Ruggiano on a minor league contract.
2 February 2012Announced INF Angel Sanchez and RHP Henry Villar cleared waivers and were assigned outright to Oklahoma City (PCL).
January
DATETRANSACTION
31 January 2012Agreed to terms with RHP Livan Hernandez on a minor league contract.
27 January 2012Agreed to terms with LHP Zach Dukeon on a minor league contract.
24 January 2012Designated INF Angel Sanchez for assignment.
20 January 2012Agreed to terms with C Chris Snyder on a one-year contract.
19 January 2012Announced the resignation of president of business operations Pam Gardner to become a special advisor to owner and chairman Jim Crane. Designated Catcher Craig Tatum for assignment.
18 January 2012Agreed to terms with OF Jack Cust on a one-year contract.
17 January 2012Agreed to terms with LHP J.A. Happ on a one-year contract. Named Craig Bjornson bullpen coach.
11 January 2012Claimed OF Fernando Martinez off waivers from New York (NL). Designated RHP Henry Villar for assignment. Named Joe Pettini bench coach, Matt Sinatro major league catching and advance scouting coordinator, Dan Radison special assistant to the general manager/player development and Mike Elias special assistant to the general manager/scouting.
10 January 2012Announced the retirement of clubhouse manager Dennis Liborio.
3 January 2012Named Gary Ruby pitching coach for Corpus Christi (Texas), and Hector Mercado pitching coach and Cesar Cedeno hitting coach for Greeneville (Appalachian). Named Sig Mejdal director of decision sciences and Stephanie Wilka as coordinator of amateur scouting