Astros Outright Five Players off 40-Man Roster
Bogusevic, De Leon, Fick, Shuck outrighted off 40-man roster; Leon claimed by Milwaukee
HOUSTON, TX - The Houston Astros have outrighted five players off their 40-man roster: outfielders Brian Bogusevic and J.B. Shuck, and right-handed pitchers Jorge De Leon, Chuckie Fick and Arcenio Leon. Bogusevic, De Leon and Shuck all cleared waivers and will become free agents, while the club has assigned Fick to Triple A Oklahoma City. Leon did not clear waivers and was claimed by Milwaukee. The announcement was made by Astros General Manager Jeff Luhnow.
Bogusevic, 28, appeared in 146 games for Houston this season, a total that ranked second on the club. The left-handed hitting outfielder began the year as the Astros Opening Day right fielder and went on to hit .203 (72x355) with seven home runs and 28 RBI. Bogusevic was a first-round draft pick by Houston in 2005 as a pitcher before transitioning to the outfield in the 2008 season.
De Leon, 25, pitched his entire season with Class A Lancaster, appearing in 40 games, including 14 starts, for the JetHawks. On the season, he went 2-9 with a 7.70 ERA (75ER/87.2IP). Like Bogusevic, De Leon was also a convert, having spent four years in the Astros system (2006-2009) as an infielder before transitioning to the mound in 2010.
Fick, 26, combined to post a 4.38 ERA (12ER/24.2IP) in 20 Major League relief appearances with Houston (18 games) and St. Louis (two games) this season. In 47 minor league appearances this year, Fick went 2-2 with three saves and a 5.09 ERA (26ER/46IP). Fick was acquired by the Astros on July 27, 2012, on a waiver claim from the Cardinals. He will be placed on Oklahoma City’s roster.
Leon, 26, spent his entire 2012 campaign with Double A Corpus Christi, posting a 3-2 record with two saves and a 4.38 ERA (31ER/63.2IP). Last season marked his third consecutive year to pitch at the Double A level. Originally a product of the Astros Venezuelan Academy, Leon was signed as an undrafted free agent out of Venezuela in 2005.
Shuck, 25, hit .298 (94x315) with 11 doubles and 33 RBI in 115 games in a full season for Oklahoma City this year. The left-handed hitting outfielder was originally selected by Houston in the sixth round of the June 2008 draft.
With the moves, the Astros 40-man roster stands at 31.