The Astros designated lefty reliever Xavier Cedeno for assignment to open a 40-man roster spot for infielder Brandon Laird, according to a team press release. The Astros also optioned Brett Wallace to Triple-A.
Cedeno, 26, was scored upon in four of his five appearances this year. In 2012, he posted a 3.77 ERA, 10.5 K/9, 4.1 BB/9, 0.87 HR/9, and 50.0% groundball rate in 31 relief innings, tossing another 27 2/3 innings at Triple-A. A native of Puerto Rico, Cedeno was drafted by the Rockies in the 31st round in 2004. They released him in March 2010, and he signed with the Astros as a free agent in December of that year. Cedeno made seven appearances in the World Baseball Classic this year for Puerto Rico.
Astros GM Jeff Luhnow professed a desire to keep Cedeno in the organization, reports MLB.com's Brian McTaggart.
