The Houston Astros have sent 25-year old switch hitting 2B/SS Drew Sutton to the Cincinnati Reds to complete the Jeff Keppinger trade. The Reds made out like bandits on this trade as Sutton was the Astros’ #8 rated prospect coming into this season according to Baseball America. Sutton has played in 5 games in AAA ball so far this season and he was 4 for 15 (.267 avg, .656 OPS) with 1 run scored. In his previous five minor league seasons, Sutton played in 554 games in which he was 588 for 2,085 (.282 avg, .819 OPS) with 359 runs scored, 61 homers, 240 RBIs and 74 stolen bases. The Astros needed a 3B and Keppinger is a decent player but Sutton has a much bigger upside.

The Astros have traded 30-year old righty swinging shortstop Chris Barnwell to the Pirates for future considerations. Barnwell played in 94 games in AAA-ball last season and he was 91 for 330 (.276 avg, .761 OPS) with 50 runs scored, 6 homers, 42 RBIs and 16 stolen bases. He has also played in 13 games in his major league career in which he was 2 for 30 (.067 avg, .164 OPS) with 2 runs scored, 1 RBI and 1 stolen base. This was a good move for the Astros as Barnwell projects to be nothing more than a career AAA player.

37-year old righty starting pitcher Brian Moehler was lucky he was hurt or the Astros might have just sent him home. He has a grade one medial collateral ligament strain in his right knee. He has started 2 games for the Astros this season and he is 0-2 with a 27.00 ERA and a 4.25 WHIP. He has allowed a stunning 15 hits in only 4 innings this season for the Astros. They will likely tell him to take his time coming back as he won’t likely be missed by the Stros’.

Center Fielder Michael Bourn is off to a fast start for the Astros who hope he can keep up the good work. He has played in 6 games so far this season and he is 7 for 22 (.318 avg, .757 OPS) with 1 run scored and 3 RBIs. Bourn is putting the ball in play and using his speed so far this season as he has only whiffed 2 times thus far. Bourn gives the Astros good defense and speed so they need him to keep hitting well.

The Astros have placed righty reliever Doug Brocail on the 15-day disabled list with a strained right rotator cuff. Brocail has pitched in 3 games (0 starts) this season for the Astros and he is 1-0 with a 7.71 ERA and a 2.57 WHIP. The Astros have recalled 29-year old righty Jeff Fulchino to replace Brocail in the bullpen. Fulchino pitched in 12 games (0 starts) for the Royals last season and he was 0-1 with a 9.00 ERA and a 2.07 WHIP. He has now pitched in 13 games (0 starts) in his major league career and he is 0-1 with a 8.79 ERA and a 2.09 WHIP. The Astros will miss Brocail as he pitched pretty well for them last season.