Astros trim nine from roster

The Astros trimmed their roster by nine players Tuesday morning, and in the process awarded an Opening Day roster spot to catcher J.R. Towles, who was competing with No. 1 prospect Jason Castro for the starting position.

Castro was among nine players told by manager Brad Mills and general manager Ed Wade they weren’t going to make the Opening Day roster. Castro and right-hander Casey Daigle were reassigned to Minor League camp, and right-hander Wilton Lopez and utility man Edwin Maysonet were optioned to Triple-A Round Rock.

In addition, non-roster invitees Gary Majewski (right-hander), Gustavo Chacin (right-hander), Drew Meyer (infielder), Chris Shelton (first baseman) and Kevin Cash (catcher) were reassigned to Minor League camp, but will remain with the team through this weekend’s exhibition games in Houston. Daigle will remain with the team until after he pitches Thursday’s Grapefruit League finale.

“They have done a great job of leaving a good impression with not only myself, but the whole coaching staff and the front office as well,” Mills said.

The roster moves leave the Astros with 29 players in camp, meaning four more cuts will have to be made before Sunday afternoon’s deadline to set the 25-man roster for Opening Day.

Here are the remaining players in camp:

PITCHERS (14)

RHP Alberto Arias

RHP Yorman Bazardo

LHP Tim Byrdak

RHP Jeff Fulchino

RHP Sammy Gervacio

RHP Matt Lindstrom

RHP Brandon Lyon

RHP Brian Moehler

RHP Brett Myers

RHP Bud Norris

RHP Roy Oswalt

RHP Felipe Paulino

LHP Wandy Rodriguez

RHP Chris Sampson

CATCHERS (2)

J.R. Towles

Humberto Quintero

INFIELDERS (7)

Lance Berkman

Geoff Blum

Pedro Feliz

Chris Johnson

Jeff Keppinger

Tommy Manzella

Kaz Matsui

OUTFIELDERS (6)

Jason Bourgeois (non-roster)

Michael Bourn

Carlos Lee

Jason Michaels

Hunter Pence

Cory Sullivan (non-roster)