KISSIMMEE, Fla. - Righthander Sam Deduno left manager A.J. Hinch's office with a smile Sunday morning.

The righthander has earned a spot on the Astros' opening-day roster as a reliever.

"I wasn't nervous when they called me into the office," he said. "I thought they would give me good news and tell me I made the team."

With Deduno headed to the bullpen, Roberto Hernandez and Asher Wojciechowski are the two finalists for the fifth spot in the rotation. For now, Hernandez appears to have the edge.

"Sam Deduno was talked to today and given some assurances that he'll be on the club," general manager Jeff Luhnow said. "He's done a really nice job for us."

Deduno is 1-1 with a 3.75 ERA this spring, having allowed five earned runs in 12 innings over five appearances.

"He's not in the starter conversation as of right now," Hinch said, "but I know he's versatile enough to take any role that we have."

With Deduno as the long reliever, the bullpen is beginning to solidify. Luke Gregerson, Chad Qualls, Pat Neshek and Tony Sipp are set. Hinch is likely to announce his closer before the team leaves Florida on Wednesday night.

Yankees jump onFeldman, Peacock

Righthander Scott Feldman gave up seven hits and three runs with two walks and two strikeouts over 41⁄3 innings in the Astros' 7-0 loss to the New York Yankees at Osceola County Stadium.

Chase Headley drilled a cutter over the right-field wall to give the Yankees a 1-0 lead in the third inning.

"Headley is a good hitter," said Feldman, who will start the second game of the season. "I kind of just got it into the happy zone for him, and he put a good swing on it."

Alex Rodriguez led off the fourth with a single. One out later, Rob Refsnyder drew a walk. Slade Heathcott singled in Rodriguez, then Refsnyder scored on a wild pitch.

Feldman threw 83 pitches, 47 for strikes.

"I want to get my command better before the season starts," Feldman said. "It's just a progression, trying to just set the foundation here and take it into the season."

The Yankees scored four runs in the sixth against Brad Peacock, but the righthander was pleased with the way his body responded during his first Grapefruit League appearance since he had hip surgery last October.

Peacock gave up two hits with two walks and two strikeouts over two-thirds of an inning.

"It was definitely exciting," he said. "I felt really good. The fastball felt good. The changeup felt good. Just the curveball and slider need work."

Peacock is likely to begin the season on the disabled list as he builds arm strength. He is expected to remain in Florida when the team returns to Houston this week, but if all goes well, he might be ready to pitch in a rehab assignment by mid-April.

Oberholtzer ready to return

Lefthander Brett Oberholtzer will start Monday in his first Grapefruit League appearance since he was shut down for a week in mid-March with a lat strain.

Oberholtzer, who pitched three innings in a minor league game Wednesday in his first outing since he was hurt March 10, will start against the Blue Jays at Osceola County Stadium.

"We want to get him in the four-, five-inning range and see how he responds both physically and endurance-wise," manager A.J. Hinch said. "And then five days after that, do another test for him. He's got a chance to be ready for the season."

X-rays on wrist negative for Hoes

Outfielder L.J. Hoes, who was hit in the right wrist in the eighth inning Saturday against the Marlins, was limited to treatment on his wrist Sunday.

The X-rays taken on Hoes' wrist Sunday morning came back negative.

Jose de Jesus Ortiz