Astros Add Three to 40-Man Roster
Houston added pitchers Roddery Munoz and Evan Reifert and catcher Cesar Salazar to its 40-man roster ahead of the December Rule V Draft.
Updated on Nov. 3, 2026 in Baseball
The Houston Astros added three players to their 40-man roster, selecting right-handers Roddery Munoz and Evan Reifert and catcher Cesar Salazar. The moves came as the club outrighted Jake Meyers, who elected free agency, leaving the roster at 39 players.
Why it matters
Players on the 40-man roster are protected from the Rule V Draft, which is held at the Winter Meetings in December. The additions followed the hiring of Randy Flores as Houston's general manager on Oct. 30 and the expiration of the deadline to protect six-year minor leaguers.
Reifert carries a 2.91 minor league ERA across 191 appearances since 2021, while Salazar has played 45 major league games with a .512 OPS. Munoz's 15.75 ERA in three Astros appearances stands in contrast to his 3.06 ERA at Triple-A Sugar Land.
The players
Randy Flores
Flores was hired as Astros general manager on Oct. 30, prompting the roster moves.
Houston Astros
The Astros are a Major League Baseball franchise based in Houston, Texas.
The details
Houston acquired Reifert from the Tampa Bay Rays for cash considerations. Munoz was designated for assignment in April 2026 and went unclaimed by the Reds, while Salazar and Reifert were added to protect them from future Rule V consideration.
Timeline
Oct. 30: Randy Flores hired as Astros general manager.
Last day of the World Series: Deadline for protecting six-year minor leaguers passed.
April 2026: Munoz designated for assignment; Reds did not claim him.
Nov. 3, 2026: Astros added three players to the 40-man roster.
December: Rule V Draft at the Winter Meetings.
Season Trajectory
The roster additions position Houston for the December Rule V Draft under MLB's 40-man protection rules, shaping which minor leaguers the club can keep. Munoz's possible role in a more active 2027 bullpen would be a meaningful test of the club's depth heading into next season.
Fantasy managers tracking Houston's bullpen should watch whether Munoz earns a larger role in 2027 after his 3.06 Triple-A ERA. The protections also mean the Astros' minor league depth is less likely to be lost in the December draft.
The takeaway
Roster protection decisions made in the offseason can quietly determine which young arms and bats a club keeps for the next season.
What happens next
The Rule V Draft is scheduled for December at the Winter Meetings, when the protected and unprotected players will be determined.
Further reading
Follow more Astros roster coverage in our Baseball section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Sports Illustrated.
