Santa, Pérez Among 23 Non-Roster Spring Invites, Providing Triple-A Depth

The Astros announced a 23-player group of non-roster spring-training invites that will seed depth for Triple-A Sugar Land and provide competition for major league roster spots. The list mixes younger arms with veteran catchers and infielders, signaling a dual approach of player development and insurance for an organization that values internal options.

Among the most notable names are reliever Alimber Santa and veteran catcher Carlos Pérez. Santa reached Triple-A in 2025 and was an All-Star Futures Game participant, marking him as a high-upside arm who can help stabilize a left-heavy bullpen mix if he continues his upward trajectory. Pérez was signed to a minor-league deal and received a spring invite as a veteran presence behind the plate - a role that often translates into mentorship for younger pitchers while keeping an experienced backstop ready for big-league needs.

The full spring-camp list spans pitchers, catchers, infielders and outfielders, with several invites flagged for recent Triple-A time. Those players will primarily be non-roster depth candidates for Triple-A Sugar Land, but a handful are realistic competitors for early-season call ups if injuries or performance issues open big-league spots. For Sugar Land, this infusion helps preserve organizational depth without burning options or stretching the 40-man roster.

From a performance standpoint, the invites reflect a common blueprint: stockpile relievers with breakout potential and keep veteran catchers available to manage innings and game-calling at the upper minors. Santa’s Futures Game experience suggests he has the pitch mix and upside the club wants to test against higher-level competition. Pérez’s value is less about upside and more about stability and experience, attributes teams increasingly prize as pitchers rise through the system.

Industry trends are also evident. Non-roster spring invites provide a cost-effective buffer for clubs navigating service-time calculations and roster flexibility. Minor-league deals with invites let organizations evaluate veterans without long-term commitments, while young arms can show readiness for promotion. For Triple-A affiliates like Sugar Land, that approach keeps the lineup and bullpen competitive, which matters for player development and local fan engagement.

Culturally and socially, these invites sustain the pipeline that connects international signings and domestic development to metropolitan fan bases. Players such as Santa and Pérez often become community touchstones in minor-league cities, offering representation and experience that enrich club identity.

For fans and followers of the Astros and Sugar Land, spring training will reveal which of these 23 players can force a promotion or serve as reliable Triple-A depth. Watch for Santa’s arm and Pérez’s handling of pitchers as early indicators of how this class might influence the season ahead.