The Pirates last night finalized their 40-man winter roster by adding three players from within the organization and claiming right-hander Jimmy Barthmaier off waivers from the Houston Astros.

To make roster room for those four players, the Pirates designated right-hander Josh Sharpless, left-hander Shane Youman and first baseman Josh Phelps for assignment.

There were indications last night that the Pirates tried to trade at least one of those three. A deal still could happen for any of them within the next 10 days or they could clear waivers and -- in the cases of Sharpless and Youman -- be outrighted to Class AAA Indianapolis.

Phelps, who does not have minor-league eligibility remaining, could become a free agent. The Pirates cannot re-sign him until May 15.

"We would love to retain all three if we don't trade them," general manager Neal Huntington said.

Added to the roster from within the organization are right-handers Olivo Astacio and Ronald Belisario and shortstop Brian Bixler.

Astacio, a former Boston Red Sox prospect spent 2007 with Hickory, Lynchburg and Altoona and was a combined 1-2 with 12 saves and a 4.93 earned run average. In 65²/₃ innings, he struck out 91.

Belisario was 1-3 with four saves and a 3.97 ERA in 37 games split between Lynchburg and Altoona in 2007.

Bixler, the Pirates' second-round pick in the 2004 draft out of Eastern Michigan University, spent the 2007 season with Class AAA Indianapolis. Named to the International League All-Star team, Bixler batted .274 with 23 doubles, 10 triples, 5 home runs, 51 RBIs and 28 stolen bases.

Bixler also played for TeamUSA in the recently concluded World Cup in Taiwan, and will go to spring training with a chance to win a spot on the Pirates' opening-day roster.

Barthmaier, who turns 24 in January, pitched for Class AA Corpus Christi last season. Rated by Baseball America as Houston's fourth-best prospect before the 2007 season, Barthmaier, 6 feet 5, 230 pounds, was a starter for most of the season before being relegated to the bullpen for the final month.

He also pitched as a middle reliever in the Arizona Fall League, where he had a 9.69 ERA in 11 games. "He's got a good arm," Corpus Christi manager Dave Clark said. "If he ever comes into his own, he's got a chance to be a good big-league pitcher."