How Three Astros' Options Will Craft Roster

The Houston Astros have a lot of decisions to make when it comes to their Opening-Day roster, which can include 26 players.

Some players are locks, like Joes Altuve. Others will start the season on the injured list like pitcher Justin Verlander. Others will be sent to the minor leagues.

Others don’t have options.

Three Houston Astros on the 40-man roster are out of minor league options. That means if they don’t make the team they must clear outright waivers before they can be sent to the minor leagues. By putting those players on waivers they’re exposed to the rest of baseball and can be claimed.

Recently, MLB Trade Rumors published a list of 40-man players with fewer than five years of service time and no minor league options remaining. Players with more than five years of service can refuse an option.

One should have no trouble making the roster. Mauricio Dubon is the Astros’ super-utility player who claimed his first Gold Glove last season by playing that role. He filled in for Altuve while he was injured and played several different positions.

The other two bear watching.

Pitcher Brandon Bielak is a starting pitcher by trade and made 13 starts for Houston last season while they were dealing with injury issues. He went 5-6 with a 3.83 ERA. As Luis Garcia and Lance McCullers Jr. recover from injuries, and Verlander heads to the injured list, that could help Bielak remain on the Opening-Day roster, especially if he can show effectiveness as a reliever.

Jon Singleton is likely the most at risk. He returned to the Astros last season when they needed pop off the bench, but he only batted .194 with two home runs and 10 RBI. His ability to make the roster will be more about reclaiming his batting average at the plate, which has never been above .200 at the Major League level.

For the next few weeks, the Astros have decisions to make. The option status of these three players will play a role in how the Opening-Day roster is assembled.