Wright: Adversity will make bullpen stronger

BALTIMORE -- Veteran left-hander Wesley Wright and rookie right-hander Josh Fields are the only members of the Astros' bullpen that were on the team on Opening Day following the trade of Jose Veras and Hector Ambriz being designated for assignment.

Wright said the turnover isn't surprising when you consider the troubles the relievers have experienced this year.

"When you're in a good bullpen, you don't have that much turnover," Wright said. "We've been ineffective at times due to poor execution and youth, and I think it just shows in all the changes we've had to make.

"It's unfortunate, because guys have been giving a great effort, including myself. A lot of times, we've been on the short end of it. When you play so many close games, you're talking about one pitch here or one pitch there making a difference. When you're young, a lot of us are in situations we've never been in before, but you're going to make a few more mistakes than you would if you had an experienced bullpen."

Veras said Monday it took him a while to learn how to deal with adversity, and Wright says that will be the challenge for the bullpen now.

"I think the biggest thing for me this year is to learn you are going to fail and you can't take it with you the next outing," Wright said. "A lot of these guys have learned, just like I am. I think the future of this organization will be better off down the line because of the experience a lot of guys are getting."