Astros add Torreyes, Velasquez to 40-man roster

HOUSTON, TX - The Houston Astros have added infielder Ronnie Torreyes and right-handed pitcher Vincent Velasquez to their 40-man roster in preparation for the 2014 Rule 5 Draft. Additionally, the Astros outrighted right-handed pitcher Anthony Bass to Triple A Fresno, while right-handed pitcher Josh Zeid has been claimed off waivers by the Detroit Tigers. The announcements were made by Astros General Manager Jeff Luhnow.

Bass was arbitration eligible, which gives him the option to elect free agency or accept the outright assignment.

Torreyes, 22, hit .298 (137x460) with 20 doubles, five triples, 46 RBI and a .345 on-base percentage in 126 games with Triple A Oklahoma City in 2014. The switch-hitting, versatile infielder started at five different positions for the RedHawks last season, including 68 at second base, 24 at third base, 11 at shortstop, 10 in center field and five in left field. Since his professional debut in 2010, Torreyes has posted some of the lowest strikeout rates in his 502 games in the minors. In his 2,125 career plate appearances, he struck out just 122 times (5.74%). Torreyes was originally acquired by Houston on July 2, 2013, from Chicago (NL) in exchange for international pool space.

Velasquez, 22, combined to post a 7-5 record and a 3.52 ERA (25ER/64IP) in 18 games (13 starts) with Class A Lancaster (15g) and the GCL Astros (3g) in 2014. In his 64.0 minor league innings this season, Velasquez tallied 91 strikeouts, while allowing a .216 opponent's batting average. He also pitched in the Arizona Fall League this offseason, making five appearances (four starts) for the AFL Champion Salt River Rafters. Velasquez was originally a second-round pick by Houston in the June 2010 draft.

Bass, 27, went 1-1 with two saves in 21 appearances for the Astros in 2014. He split his season between Houston and Oklahoma City, where he made 14 appearances for the RedHawks. Bass was acquired by Houston from San Diego on Dec. 11, 2013, in exchange for a player to be named later (LHP Patrick Schuster).

Zeid, 27, pitched in 23 games with the Astros in 2014 before being placed on the Disabled List on July 25 with bilateral sesamoiditis, which ended his season. The right-handed pitcher has made 48 total appearances out of the Astros bullpen over the past two seasons.

With the additions of Torreyes and Velasquez and the removals of Bass and Zeid, the Astros 40-man roster remains at 38 players.