The Astros have placed lefty starter Wandy Rodriguez on the 15-day disabled list with a strained left groin. Rodriguez was off to a really good start for the Astros this season. He has started 4 games this season and he is 1-0 with a 2.31 ERA and a 1.11 WHIP. Rodriguez has really showed nasty stuff this season as he has whiffed 24 batters in only 23.1 innings. The Astros have called up lefty reliever Tim Byrdak to replace Rodriguez on the roster. Byrdak pitched in 7 games in AAA ball this season and he was 0-0 with a 3.68 ERA and a 1.09 WHIP. Byrdak also whiffed 10 batters in only 7.1 innings which shows that he still has good stuff. 27-year old righty Jack Cassel will be recalled from AAA when Rodriguez’ spot in the rotation comes up next week. Cassel has started 3 games in AAA this season and he is 1-1 with a 2.50 ERA and a 1.11 WHIP. This was a bad break for both Rodriguez & the Astros as he was pitching very well this season.

Lance Berkman is off to a fast start with the bat for the Astros this season. He has played in 12 games for the Astros so far this season and he is 14 for 45 (.311 avg, 1.113 OPS) with 12 runs scored, 4 homers, 10 RBIs and 3 stolen bases. With the new and improved lineup around Berkman, he could put up career numbers in 2008.

The Astros have placed starting 3B Ty Wigginton on the D.L. with a fractured left thumb. Wigginton has played in 6 games for the Astros this season and he is 5 for 20 (.250 avg, .704 OPS) with 1 run scored, 1 homer, 2 RBIs and 1 stolen base. Geoff Blum has replaced Wigginton in the starting lineup and he’s a solid player but he has nowhere near the power that Wigginton has.

The Astros decided that they didn’t like the make up of their bullpen last season so they blew it up. 28-year old righty Jose Valverde will be the new stopper for the Astros this season. He pitched in 65 games (0 starts) for the Diamondbacks last season and he was 1-4 with 47 saves (led the majors), a 2.66 ERA and a 1.12 WHIP. He also whiffed 78 batters in only 64.1 innings which shows what kind of dominating stuff he has.

26-year old righty Oscar Villarreal will be one of the top set-up men on the Astros this season. He pitched in 51 games (0 starts) for the Braves last season and he was 2-2 with 1 save, a 4.24 ERA and a 1.40 WHIP. Look for better numbers out of him for the Astros this season.

41-year old righty Doug Brocail will also be used late in games this season by the Astros. He pitched in 67 games (0 starts) for the Padres last season and he was 5-1 with a 3.05 ERA and a 1.17 WHIP. Look for his numbers to spike a little bit as he won’t be pitching his home games at Petco Park this season.

31-year old righty Geoff Geary will pitch earlier in ballgames for the Astros. He pitched in 57 games (0 starts) for the Phillies last season and he was 3-2 with a 4.41 ERA and a 1.44 WHIP.

31-year old righty Dave Borkowski will be the mop up man for the Astros again this season. He pitched in 64 games (0 starts) for the Astros last season and he was 5-3 with 1 save, a 5.15 ERA and a 1.53 WHIP.

23-year old lefty Wesley Wright will be the lone lefty in the bullpen when the 2008 season starts. He was a Rule 5 Pick over the Winter from the Dodgers’ organization. He has pitched in 152 games (9 starts) in his minor league career and he is 18-17 with 4 saves and a 3.65 ERA. He will need to throw strikes to stick all season with the Astros. He has whiffed 333 batters and walked 168 batters in 291 career minor league innings.

27-year old lefty Mark McLemore will start the season in AAA but he will get a call at some point of the season by the Astros. He pitched in 29 games (0 starts) for the Astros last season and he was 3-0 with a 3.86 ERA and a 1.60 WHIP. He whiffed 35 batters and walked 18 in 35 innings for the Astros last year.

PROJECTED GRADE FOR THE 2008 SEASON: C+

The Astros have signed 34-year old lefty reliever Tim Byrdak to a minor league contract. He will start the season in AAA-ball and if he looks good he will likely get a quick call up to the Astros. He pitched in 39 games (0 starts) for the Tigers last season and he was 3-0 with a 3.20 ERA and a 1.42 WHIP. He also whiffed 49 batters in only 45 innings last season for the Tigers. The only reason he was available at all was because he had a poor spring for the Tigers. He has now pitched in 144 games (0 starts) in his major league career and he is 4-5 with 3 saves, a 5.50 ERA and a 1.85 WHIP.