Deduno pitched three scoreless Grapefruit League innings Monday against the Nationals, allowing four hits and a walk while striking out three. Deduno came on in relief of starter Mark Appel and lowered his spring ERA to 1.13. The 31-year-old right-hander is the dark horse among those competing to open 2015 as the Astros' fifth starter, but the job won't likely be settled until the end of spring training with Deduno, Asher Wojciechowski (0.00 ERA) and Roberto Hernandez (3.60 ERA) all pitching well thus far.

Deduno will start Saturday against the Mets, Jose de Jesus Ortiz of the Houston Chronicle reports. Brought in on a waiver claim from Minnesota at the end of August, Deduno has given up three earned runs on three hits, with five strikeouts against four walks, in four appearances (4.2 innings) with the Astros. He made eight starts for the Twins early in the year, going 2-4 with a 6.52 ERA and 1.60 WHIP across 38.2 innings. The Mets don't present an daunting obstacle, but Deduno will still make for a very high-risk option.

The Astros claimed Deduno off waivers from the Twins on Saturday, Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com reports. Control issues have plagued Deduno's professional career, but he has averaged more than a strikeout per inning in his nine minor league seasons (9.6 K/9) and the Astros really aren't risking much bringing him aboard. In 30 appearances (eight starts) with Minnesota this season, Deduno has posted a 4.60 ERA and 1.44 WHIP, but Houston will likely let him eat some low-leverage innings out of the bullpen to see if he can be a legitimate option for 2015.

Samuel Deduno is likely to return to the Twins' starting rotation next week. He'd be filling in for Yohan Pino, who was optioned back to Triple-A Rochester on Thursday afternoon. Deduno, who's been in the bullpen for the past several days, owns a 4.99 ERA and 1.53 WHIP in 61 1/3 innings this season. He remains a poor fantasy option.

Samuel Deduno has been moved to the bullpen. Deduno was lit up for seven earned runs in 2 2/3 innings Saturday by the Tigers, pushing his ERA to 5.34. He will pitch in a long relief role now for Minnesota with Yohan Pino taking over the vacant rotation spot.

Samuel Deduno was hammered for seven earned runs in 2 2/3 innings Saturday in a loss to the Tigers. Deduno also got rocked Sunday by the Astros and is now 2-5 on the season with a brutal 5.34 ERA and 1.59 WHIP. The Twins might have to try someone else soon.

Samuel Deduno allowed five runs over three innings of work in a loss to the Astros on Sunday. Deduno had to deal with baserunners early and often, as he gave up three hits while walking four on the day. He'd been serviceable in his six starts prior to Sunday, but the walks continue to be an issue -- he's now issued 26 free passes in 54 2/3 innings. He's nothing more than an AL-only option, and he may not even be that Saturday at the Tigers.

Samuel Deduno allowed two runs on six hits over five innings to pick up his second win of the season against the Brewers on Tuesday. Deduno worked into and out of trouble all evening, as at least one runner reached base in each of his five innings. The right-hander walked four to go along with his six hits allowed. Through 13 appearances including six starts, Deduno has a 3.83 ERA and 1.45 WHIP. He makes for a decent AL-only add for pitching-needy teams. He'll draw the Astros on Sunday.

Samuel Deduno gave up four runs in 5 1/3 innings Thursday in a no-decision against the Rangers. Deduno almost pulled a Houdini Act in the second, loading the bases with no outs and then getting a popup and a strikeout before Shin-Soo Choo snuck a ball down the left-field line for a bases-clearing double. Apart from that, Deduno was pretty effective. His rotation spot should still be secure for the moment.

Samuel Deduno lost despite allowing just two runs in 5 2/3 innings versus the Giants on Saturday. Deduno is getting better by the start, illustrating that he really should have been in Minnesota's rotation all along. He was always a better bet than Mike Pelfrey and Kevin Correia anyway. Next up for him is a home start against the Rangers. He should only be used in AL-only leagues right now.