--RHP Russ Ortiz earned the fifth spot in the rotation. "My whole mindset coming in was to make the team," Ortiz said. "I had it set in my mind that as long as I'm healthy that I had a very good chance of making the team and these guys gave me a tremendous opportunity to do that. I just had to make sure I was prepared every day and try to take advantage of that opportunity." Ortiz, 34, was a non-roster invitee to camp after signing a one-year, $750,000 minor league contract in January.
--RHP Jose Capellan, who lost the fifth starter's role to Russ Ortiz, was at peace after he was reassigned to Class AAA Round Rock. "That was their decision," said Capellan, who was 1-1 with a 4.58 ERA this spring. "I feel good because I tried 100 percent and I'm pleased with myself. I'm going to keep working. I'm going to keep working to come back here soon and try to help the team." Capellan has been a reliever in the majors most of his career, but he will start at Round Rock after impressing this spring. --INF Jason Smith, was nervous even though for about a week it was pretty clear he had won the utility infielder's job that will go to Miguel Tejada's primary backup. But he sweated it out until Saturday. "It's nice to know the day finally came when it's official," said Smith, who hit .355 with three triples and one RBI this spring.
"Early in the spring his offense was there," manager Cecil Cooper said of Smith. "He was very good offensively, struggled a little bit on the defensive side early this spring. He worked on some things. We talked to him a little bit and he started to settle down and started to play well (defensively).
"He was in a pretty good battle with Edwin Maysonet, but Jason was just consistent throughout offensively. And it's good to have a veteran guy on your bench as opposed to a young kid."
BY THE NUMBERS: 7 -- Opening-day starts by RHP Roy Oswalt, an Astros franchise record.
QUOTE TO NOTE: "What I've learned from Miguel (Tejeda), I think many people would like to live it. Miguel had his problems with those accusations, and he stepped up. I think what he has done is incredible. To me that's one of the things that every human being can learn from. You know how to deal with problems but not carry it to the field of play, nor where your friends are. You leave it at your house, drop it there. And if you want to carry it with you, you do. But if you don't want to carry it, you don't." -- Closer Jose Valverde.
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