The Cincinnati Reds traded the utility infielder to the Houston Astros for a minor-league player to be named - and the naming must be by May 1.

"The Astros pursued this and at first we resisted," said General Manager Walt Jocketty. "But now it appears Alex Gonzalez is going to be playing and the way things are, Keppinger would get little chance to play. This is a better deal for him, too."

Keppinger's departure leaves the door open for either Adam Rosales or Paul Janish, both former Dayton Dragons, to make the team and Jocketty said, "We feel comfortable and would be happy with either one. They've both had good springs and done well."

Janish, a wizard with the glove, is not taking anything for granted and said, "I'll continue to work hard and we'll see what happens. I know one thing, we play Houston a lot so we'll be seeing a lot of Kepp."

Keppinger was humorous about his situation and said of his .140 batting average, "I was about to go in and ask them to release me. I was just glad they didn't release me. I was in my condo when I was called and told manager Dusty Baker and Walt wanted to talk to me. I had a few different things running through my head on the drive back.

"It's good in that maybe I'll get the opportunity to play," Keppinger added. "Looking around here, it didn't look as if I was going to play much. It is the way my career has been. I can't find a team that feels comfortable throwing me out there every day. I'm going to a team that needs somebody, so maybe it's a good opportunity for me."