WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — The Houston Astros began trimming their roster on the final day of spring camp, informing right-hander Peter Lambert he will not make the Opening Day roster while reassigning outfielder Taylor Trammell, infielder Cavan Biggio, and catcher Carlos Pérez to minor league camp.
Lambert, a non-roster invitee who spent last season in Japan’s Nippon Professional Baseball, made a strong impression in West Palm Beach. The right-hander posted a 2.92 ERA across 12⅓ Grapefruit League innings and emerged as a legitimate candidate for a swingman or bullpen role—no small feat on a pitching staff reshaped over the winter.
In the end, roster construction worked against him.
Ryan Weiss, Kai-Wei Teng, AJ Blubaugh, and Spencer Arrighetti all occupy spots on the 40-man roster and remain in Houston’s pitching plans, leaving little room despite Lambert’s performance. Manager Joe Espada acknowledged the difficulty of the decision.
“I talked to Peter—we would love to keep him,” Espada said. “He threw the ball really well. Unfortunately, right now it did not work out for him to be on our club. But we expressed our desire for him to stay.”
Whether Lambert remains in the organization is uncertain. He is believed to have an opt-out clause in his minor league deal, which could allow him to explore other opportunities rather than report to Triple-A Sugar Land. Fellow non-roster invitee Christian Roa, who has also impressed this spring, remains in camp.
Trammell’s reassignment provides additional clarity in the Astros’ outfield picture. The 28-year-old left-handed hitter turned in a strong spring, batting .316 with a home run and a double while earning praise for his versatility.
“He had a really good camp,” Espada said. “He does some things we really like offensively and obviously he can play all three outfield positions. Just right now, the configuration of the roster, it just did not fit.”
His departure likely benefits Joey Loperfido and Zach Cole as Houston finalizes its corner outfield mix.
Biggio, who signed a minor league deal earlier in camp, was limited after undergoing an arthroscopic elbow procedure following last season and appeared in just five Grapefruit League games. Pérez will provide catching depth at Triple-A.
One key decision remains unresolved: the backup catcher role behind Yainer Diaz. Veterans Christian Vázquez and César Salazar continue to compete for the job, with Espada indicating a decision may not come until after Houston’s exhibition games against Triple-A Sugar Land this week. Final rosters are due Wednesday.
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