Josh Fields activated, Edgar Gonzalez to DL

The Astros have activated reliever Josh Fields for tonight’s game and placed right-hander Edgar Gonzalez on the 15-day disabled list. Fields had been on an extended rehab assignment after hitting the D.L. with a forearm strain in April. Gonzalez has been nursing a sore throwing shoulder and hasn’t appeared in a game since May 25.

Fields will join the team in Anaheim and it appears as though the Astros will go with an extra pitcher and only three bench players for the time being. Brad Peacock replaced outfielder Robbie Grossman earlier in the week and bought some more time on the roster with an exceptional outing last night against the Rockies.

Edgar Gonzalez (Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports)

Fields, a Rule 5 pick by the Astros in November, appeared in only two games for Houston before being sidelined. During his rehab assignment Fields pitched in a total of seven games at Quad Cities and Corpus Christi, striking out eight in ten innings. The 27-year old has averaged more than ten strikeouts per nine innings in his minor league career.

It will be interesting to see what role Astros manager Bo Porter chooses for Fields. A hard thrower, Fields has been a closer at the AAA level and could work his way into a setup role if he pitches well. Expect Porter to ease Josh back into the mix by employing him in low leverage situations until he proves to be ready for late inning work.