McAllen's Oyervidez traded from Padres to Astros

McALLEN - Former McAllen Rowe standout Jose Oyervidez is moving closer to home.

Oyervidez, who has been in the San Diego Padres' organization since being signed as a free agent in 2002, was traded late Wednesday to the Houston Astros, where he immediately will see playing time for the Double-A Corpus Christi Hooks.

Since March Oyervidez has been in Peoria, Ariz., and two weeks ago the Padres placed him in extended spring training. The organization told Oyervidez "that they didn't have room" for him on their Double-A roster with the San Antonio Missions, he said.

The Padres have since been trying to find a way to move the 26-year-old right-hander.

"At first, they were trying to send me to the Mexican League for cash, because I mentioned it to them," said Oyervidez, who was traded to the Astros for a player to be named later. "That deal fell through. Since, I've heard rumors about the (L.A.) Angels and the Astros. I didn't really care where I went, I just wanted to play. Playing baseball is all I've ever wanted to do.

"When I got the news (Wednesday), it just felt great, because that means I'm coming back home."

Astros assistant general manger and director of player development Ricky Bennett thinks Oyervidez has the chance to reach the major leagues, although he said the right-hander does need better command of his fastball, slider and change-up.

"He has a great arm," Bennett said. "I think a guy can become stagnant when he stays in one (minor league) organization for so long. Our scouts are familiar with him, familiar with what he's done in the past. And he has the makings of a good pitcher, and we got him with the intentions that he'll be with us in the big leagues pretty soon. We think he has that type of potential."

The stalemate in the Padres' farm system was the latest bump in a seemingly always uphill climb for Oyervidez. After leading Rowe to the regional semifinal round in high school - where he tossed a no-hitter in Game 1 of the three-game series against state powerhouse Corpus Christi Moody - he went to Laredo Community College for one season. He then signed with the Padres.

Oyervidez went from the rookie league straight to Double-A - skipping two levels in the minors - before seeing his progression end during the past three seasons. Oyervidez had Tommy John surgery in 2004 that wiped out his entire season, then had to repair damage in his right elbow that ended his 2007 season with the San Antonio Missions after six starts on the mound.

And after being assigned to extended spring training two weeks ago, change is perceived as a positive sign for Oyervidez.

"I'm ready for a fresh start," said Oyervidez, who was catching a plane out of Arizona earlier Thursday to join the Hooks in time for their 7:05 p.m. game against the Tulsa Drillers. "I'm excited how this has all worked out. I'm going back to Corpus Christi, which is where my high school career ended. And hopefully this is the beginning of something special for me. I grew up a fan of baseball. My dream has always been to make it to the big leagues, and this move still gives me hope of doing that.

"This move, with me being that close to home now, it's just bittersweet for me."

Wade Baker is the Sports Editor of The Monitor. You can reach him at (956) 683-4450.