Seven Minor Leaguers will join the team in the very near future. First up is center fielder Josh Anderson, who was promoted from Triple-A Round Rock and will meet the team in Chicago prior to the Astros' game with the Cubs on Saturday. Right-hander Brandon Backe will also be activated from the disabled list that day.

On Wednesday, six more players will meet the Astros in Milwaukee, upon the conclusion of the Minor League seasons: right-handers Juan Gutierrez and Felipe Paulino, infielder Cody Ransom, outfielder Jason Lane and catchers Humberto Quintero and J.R. Towles.

Paulino was promoted from Double-A Corpus Christi, while the rest of the players will arrive from Round Rock.

Five of the callups are already on the Astros' 40-man roster, but Ransom and Quintero are not. The Astros will move Jason Jennings to the 60-day disabled list, which will clear one spot, but they'll have to take someone off the roster in order to make room for the other. That move will be determined at a later time.

Anderson, a 25-year-old center fielder, was hitting .273 with 16 doubles and 43 RBIs for the Express at the time of his recall. His superior speed is considered an asset and is the biggest reason why he's getting the early call.

"Anderson has made a lot of strides, offensively and defensively," assistant general manager Ricky Bennett said. "We're looking to add speed on the Major League club. He's a center fielder who can play all three outfield positions. He brings one aspect to our club that we don't have, and that's speed. We're trying to improve the depth on our club in that area, and he brings that to the table."

Ransom hit 28 home runs over 132 games for the Express. At 31, he's not considered a prospect, but he has Major League experience and probably earned the promotion as a reward for a job well done.

Ransom is mainly a shortstop and third baseman, but he'll receive consideration at second base as well.

"The guys that we're bringing here, No. 1, have had good years offensively, and also fill some holes here at the Major League level," Bennett said. "In time, Coop [manager Cecil Cooper] and I will talk about how we'll place guys."

Gutierrez and Paulino, both starters in the Minor Leagues, will begin the month in the Astros' bullpen.