Porter prefers to carry 12 pitchers

Astros manager Bo Porter talked roster composition Friday morning, saying he’s planning to carry 12 pitchers and 13 position players when the 25-man roster is set. Porter will take into heavily consideration roster balance, having a roster that has flexibility.

Bo Porter

“It’s hard in the American League when you have 13 pitchers,” he said. “Eventually you’re going to have one or two guys who’s not going to be throwing, which is not going to be conducive to keeping them sharp. At the same time, you have to have flexibility in your everyday roster because you have nine position players playing every day and you don’t want to look over and have a short bench when it comes to matching up late in the game or doing things late in the game that can actually give you an advantage to put yourself in position to win the ballgame.”

The Astros take on the Cardinals today at 12:05 p.m. CT at Osceola County Stadium. The will be televised on CSN Houston (Yes, I know many of you don’t get the channel. I don’t need reminders). Here is the lineup:

SS Tyler Greene

2B Jose Altuve

1B Carlos Pena

LF Chris Carter

3B Brett Wallace

RF Rick Ankiel

DH Fernando Martinez

C Carlos Corporan

CF Brandon Barnes

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RHP Bud Norris. RHP Paul Clemens and RHP Jose Veras also scheduled to pitch.

In other Astros news:

• RHP Hector Ambriz (sprained foot) will participate in fielding practice today.
• Pitchers and catchers began reporting for Minor League camp on Friday, with position players set to report on Wednesday.
• George Springer’s seven RBIs are tops among Grapefruit League hitters this Spring…he has posted a 1.500 slugging percentage in his four games.
• The Astros have hit .316 (77-for-244) as a team in the first seven games.