WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. -- The Astros inched closer to finalizing their 26-man roster Sunday morning when they informed first baseman Jon Singleton he wouldn't make the club. Astros manager Joe Espada also informed four relievers -- lefties Bryan King and Steven Okert and righties Luis Contreras and Rafael Montero -- they would be on the Opening Day roster.

There has been no official roster move yet made with Singleton, who’s out of options, but his time in Houston appears to be done.

“We are assessing our next step with Singy, but he will not be making our club,” Espada said.

The 33-year-old slashed .171/.239/.195 with one extra-base hit this spring after spending all of last season on the Major League roster and hitting .234 with 13 homers, 13 doubles, 42 RBIs, 47 walks and a .707 OPS in a career-high 119 games. He came to camp in incredible shape, but just didn’t swing the bat well enough despite Houston’s need for a left-handed bench bat.

“Just the way our roster is being shaped right now and the direction, we want to go and give some other players a look,” Espada said. “It wasn’t easy … but sometimes we’ve got to make those tough decisions.”

The news solidifies Zach Dezenzo’s chances of making the club. The Astros’ No. 5 prospect entered Sunday’s Grapefruit League finale hitting .409 with two homers and a 1.106 OPS. Unlike Singleton, who can only play first base, Dezenzo can play first and both corner outfield spots.

Astros top prospect Cam Smith, outfielder Cooper Hummel, middle infielder Zack Short and second baseman Brendan Rodgers are still in the running for two spots, assuming Dezenzo is on the roster. Hummel can play the corner outfield spots and is a switch-hitter, which could help his case considering Houston’s lack of left-handed bats.

“The next three days, the next three games are big for a lot of these players and the decisions we are making,” Espada said. “I’m really going to try to run the clock here and make sure we give these guys an opportunity with a good look for us as a front office to sit down to make the best decisions for our club.”

King, Okert, Contreras and Montero will join Josh Hader, Bryan Abreu and Tayler Scott in the bullpen to start the season. There’s one spot remaining with Kaleb Ort (left oblique) and Forrest Whitley (left knee) starting the season on the injured list. Both threw in the bullpen Sunday morning and are on track to return early in the season.

Montero, who was designated for assignment last year in the middle of a three-year, $34.5 million deal he signed after the 2022 season, came to camp as a non-roster invitee and allowed five runs (four earned) in 8 2/3 innings with 10 strikeouts, flashing an effective split-finger fastball. Houston is also paying him $11.5 million this year, which played a factor.

“He was very grateful,” Espada said. “He said, ‘Last year I had the opportunity to get my release or my ticket out of here and I chose not to, because I knew that you guys gave me a chance once and I know you guys are going to give me a chance again.’ It was great to hear that.”

The final bullpen spot may wind up going to right-hander Ryan Gusto (No. 21 prospect), a starter who was optioned to Minor League camp two weeks ago. He’s among those scheduled to pitch in relief in Monday’s exhibition against Triple-A Sugar Land in Houston.

The Astros also informed reliever Logan VanWey he won't make the club out of camp. He impressed Espada by posting a 1.32 ERA and a 1.10 WHIP with 15 strikeouts and five walks in 13 2/3 spring innings. Non-roster catcher Joe Hudson was also informed he didn’t make the team.