After the uncertainties of life in the minor leagues, new Astros manager Tony DeFrancesco thought he would at least have the luxury of a 25-man roster once he graduated to the big leagues.
Circumstances, and injuries, have conspired against him, however. The Astros were without outfielder Ben Francisco, suffering from a sore right wrist, and reliever Wilton Lopez, who was ill, on Wednesday night, and Francisco was idle again Thursday.