...For the Fresno Grizzlies.
Singleton was optioned to the minors, as were the following players (optioned, reassigned, whatever):
Joe Sclafani, Jake Buchanan, Tyler Heineman, Michael Feliz, A.J. Reed, Eury Perez, and Cesar Valdez.
A couple of notes:
After a Spring in which he "hit" .125/.176/.292, Singleton's optioning combined with A.J. Reed - who I'm sure was sent down for Triple-A experience/service time considerations - leaves Tyler White as the short-term heir apparent to 1B and a virtual lock to start at 1B at Yankee Stadium next Monday afternoon.
I thought this was Jon Singleton's year. I have thought this for multiple years now. Keep in mind this could still be Singleton's year, but it's going to take a little while longer. The scorched sun will drip fire onto the scalded earth 80 years from now and still I will think, "This is Singleton's year."
It's also worth noting that Evan Gattis - who will start 2016 on the DL - is likely going to Corpus for a rehab assignment.
Tyler Heineman's reassignment to the minors leaves the Astros moving in the direction of "hoping they find a backup catcher from outside." Heineman was 5x20 in 11 Spring games. Bert Pena is still with the team, but is hitting .208/.231/.250 this Spring. Don't sleep on the possibility of A.J. Hinch coming out of retirement to be manager/backup catcher.
Michael Feliz threw 14IP, 11H/2ER, 12K:6BB. He was impressive this Spring and you can bet he made a positive impression on the Astros. Should one of the starters falter, or the Astros find themselves in need of a reliever, Feliz should be first man up.
We didn't come out here to play tiddlywinks, son.
-Hal Smith
