Jose Vallejo Clears Waivers

Astros' infield prospect Jose Vallejo has cleared waivers and been outrighted to Triple-A Round Rock according to MLB.com's Alden Gonzalez. Vallejo was one of the players the Astros received when they traded Ivan Rodriguez to Texas last August. The 24-year-old Vallejo is a .239/.285/.323 career hitter in the minor leagues, and his performance has gotten worse each time he moved up a level. Baseball America did not rank him among the team's top 30 prospects coming into the season, and he's expected to miss most of 2010 after having surgery to repair severed tendons in his throwing hand. The move frees up a 40-man spot for the Houston, who has a few interesting non-roster invitees in camp.