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The Houston Astros reshuffled their roster on Saturday; the team designated Rick Ankiel and Fernando Martinez for assignment, activated J.D. Martinez from the disabled list, called up Trevor Crowe and Jimmy Paredes from Triple -A Oklahoma City and optioned Brandon Laird to Triple-A. Houston Chronice beat writer Brian T. Smith broke the news first.
Ankiel had flashed power at the plate for the Astros but little else, as the outfielder hit .194/.231/.484 in 65 plate appearances for Houston. The 33 year-old connected on five home runs but had serious contact issues, as he has already struck out 35 times this season.
Fernando Martinez had also struggled at the plate this season, as the left-handed hitting outfielder hit .182/.229/.273 in 35 plate appearances this year. The 24 year-old also battled contact problems, striking out in 34 percent of his at-bats.
Crowe and J.D. Martinez will replace the two outfielders who were designated for assignment on the team's roster. J.D. Martinez went on the DL with a sprained right knee on April 20. The 25 year-old hit .244/.271/.444 in his first 48 plate appearances this season. Crowe has spent most of his career with the Cleveland Indians, and is a career .245/.295/.329 hitter.
Houston also swapped corner infielders with their Triple-A team by calling Paredes up and sending Laird down. Laird failed to impress during his brief stint with the major-league ballclub, hitting .200/.243/.429 in 37 plate appearances. Paredes has hit .376/.444/.596 so far this season in Triple-A.
