Astros Add Three Players to 40-Man Roster
The Houston Astros added pitchers Roddery Munoz and Evan Reifert, along with catcher Cesar Salazar, to their 40-man roster on November 3. The moves protect the players from selection by other teams in December’s Rule 5 Draft.
The Astros added right-handers Roddery Munoz and Evan Reifert and catcher Cesar Salazar to their 40-man roster on November 3, ahead of the Rule 5 Draft scheduled for December. Houston now has 39 players on the roster. Reifert was obtained from Tampa Bay in exchange for cash considerations as part of the moves.
Munoz, 26, appeared in three games for Houston last season, posting a 15.75 ERA. He spent most of the year with Triple-A Sugar Land, where he recorded a 3.06 ERA over 53 appearances. He has pitched in 30 major-league games across three seasons and three teams.
Reifert, who has not made his major-league debut, had a 2.91 ERA in 191 minor-league appearances for the Brewers and Rays organizations since 2021. Salazar, 30, has appeared in 45 major-league games for Houston, with a .512 OPS, and has served as a catcher for the team in each of the past four seasons. He previously cleared waivers after being designated for assignment.
The roster additions are intended to keep other clubs from selecting the three players in the Rule 5 Draft. The Astros also outrighted outfielder Jake Meyers, who elected free agency. Players added to a 40-man roster would not be eligible to play in the minors in 2027 if labor negotiations prevent an MLB season from taking place.