Horns247 Board

Thread of pain would have also been an apropos title but then everyone would have thought it was about aggy. This today from CBS Sports.

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PROJECTED ROTATION:

1. LHP Wandy Rodriguez

2. RHP Brett Myers

3. RHP Bud Norris

4. LHP J.A. Happ

5. RHP Jordan Lyles

For Lyles, who went 2-8 with a 5.36 ERA in his major league debut last year, this isn't necessarily a spot given to him right away, and at age 21, that's OK with the Astros. RHP Livan Hernandez was brought in on a minor league contract and could fill that spot until Lyles is deemed ready.

Should there be an injury or at any point, a trade of one of the veterans, there is no shortage of candidates to take over. Both RHP Henry Sosa and RHP Aneury Rodriguez had significant stints as starters last season, and RHP Lucas Harrell saw a bit of time. Also, RHP Kyle Weiland, acquired in the Mark Melancon trade, will be tried as a starter before given relief work and could serve as a swingman.

PROJECTED BULLPEN:

RHP Brandon Lyon (closer)

RHP Wilton Lopez

RHP David Carpenter

RHP Kyle Weiland

RHP Rhiner Cruz

LHP Sergio Escalona

LHP Wesley Wright

Lyon gets the closer tag in a projection by default. The Astros will work through all their options at closer after trading away RHP Mark Melancon during the offseason. Lyon closed in 2010 and started 2011 in the role before a season-ending injury.

This unit will be the source of the most competition, with only Lyon and Lopez fairly solidified among the right-handers. Expect them to keep on someone in the bullpen who could spot-start like Weiland, RHP Lucas Harrell, RHP Aneury Rodriguez or RHP Henry Sosa.

Cruz, the No. 1 pick of the Rule 5 draft, must stay on the team all season or else be offered back to the Mets at a discount. In a year when the Astros aren't contending, expect him to stay. This would push an otherwise deserving arm like that of RHP Fernando Rodriguez or Carpenter off the roster.

PROJECTED LINEUP:

1. CF Jordan Schafer

2. 2B Jose Altuve

3. LF J.D. Martinez

4. 1B Carlos Lee

5. RF Brian Bogusevic

6. SS Jed Lowrie

7. 3B Jimmy Paredes

8. C Jason Castro

The player whose position in the order could move the most is Lowrie, who is a candidate to move up to the No. 2 spot if Altuve can't improve enough on his on-base percentage as a sophomore. Still, that makes Lowrie fairly stable because at least he's a near-guarantee to play.

There is likely to be plenty of competition this spring for spots and perhaps some platooning, with CF Jason Bourgeois getting lots of play in the outfield against left-handers. Castro is penciled in now, as he heals from foot surgery, but early in the season could produce a lot of Chris Snyder and Humberto Quintero behind the plate.

TOP ROOKIES: RHP Paul Clemens impressed after coming from Atlanta in the Michael Bourn trade, compiling a 2.35 ERA in his five Double-A starts before a clunker of a Triple-A debut. April is ambitious, but the new 40-man roster addition could be in Houston sometime in 2012. RHP Kyle Weiland retains his rookie status despite five starts and a 7.66 ERA for Boston last year. His Triple-A stats are much better with a 3.58 mark, and he could see time either in the rotation or in relief with the big club.