Astros pass on Wandy for last roster spot

HOUSTON -- The final spot for the Astros' 25-man roster now comes down to two relievers.
The club informed Wandy Rodriguez on Thursday evening that he would not be selected for the big league club, meaning James Hoyt or Michael Feliz will fill out Houston's bullpen.
Rodriguez, a fan favorite dating to his eight seasons in Houston from 2005-12, went 2-0 with a 3.95 ERA in six appearances (two starts) this Spring Training. It wasn't enough to crack his former squad after stints with Pittsburgh and Texas.
Per his one-year, $1 million Minor League deal, Rodriguez can either accept a Triple-A assignment with Houston or look to sign with another team.
"We will make him available to the other 29 teams provided there is an opportunity for him," Astros manager A.J. Hinch said. "We would like to keep him if he doesn't find an opportunity to his liking. As a veteran, we brought him home. He lives here. Once we made a decision, we didn't feel it was right to keep him hanging around until [Friday], so [general manager] Jeff Luhnow and I talked to him today before the game."
Between Hoyt and Feliz, the former would appear to have the upper hand. Hoyt can be stretched out further given his more prominent history as starter and long reliever, the role he'd likely fill at the Major League level. Still, Feliz does have MLB experience, appearing in five games last season.
"The decision is not final yet, but it will be [Friday]," Hinch said.
With Matt Duffy making the team as another position player, Houston will carry 12 pitchers on the Opening Day roster.