Astros add Paul Clemens to 40-man Roster

HOUSTON, TX — The Houston Astros announced today that the club has purchased the contract of right-handed pitcher Paul Clemens, adding him to the club’s 40-man roster. Tonight is the deadline for Major League clubs to set their 40-man roster prior to next month’s Rule 5 Draft. The Astros also announced that they have signed right-handed pitcher Lance Pendleton to a minor league contract with an invite to Major League Spring Training. The announcements were made by General Manager Ed Wade.

Clemens, 23, combined to post an 8-7 record and a 3.81 ERA (61ER/144IP) in 26 starts for Double A Mississippi (20g), Double A Corpus Christi (5g) and Triple A Oklahoma City (1g) this season. He was acquired midseason by Houston from Atlanta as part of the Michael Bourn trade on July 31. After his acquisition, Clemens was assigned to Corpus Christi, where he went 2-1 with a 2.35 ERA (8ER/30.2IP) in five starts, which included a run of 19.2 consecutive scoreless innings. He finished his season with one start at Oklahoma City. The 6-foot-4 right-hander was a Southern League All-Star this season, in what was his fourth year as a professional. He’s tabbed by Baseball America as the Astros No. 5 prospect entering the 2012 campaign. Clemens was originally selected by Atlanta in the seventh round of the 2008 Draft.

Pendleton, 28, compiled a 6.75 ERA (14ER/18.2IP) and no record in 15 relief appearances for Houston (4g) and the New York Yankees (11g) this season. The native Houstonian began his season as a Rule 5 draft pick by the Astros before being returned to the Yankees during Spring Training. He spent most of his season with Triple A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, going 3-4 with a 3.11 ERA (23ER/66.2IP) in 18 games, including 10 starts. The Astros claimed Pendleton off waivers from New York on September 9 and he finished his season with the Major League club. He was originally a fourth-round selection by New York in the 2005 Draft.

The Astros’ Major League 40-man roster now stands at 38 players. Pendleton becomes the ninth non-roster player, the third pitcher, to receive an invite to the Astros Major League Spring Training camp.