Shane Reynolds will not have a spot in the Houston Astros’ starting rotation this year. In fact, he won’t be part of the team at all.

Reynolds was put on waivers Thursday by the Astros, who decided to use young pitchers Tim Redding and Jeriome Robertson in their rotation instead.

Reynolds, who said he had fully recovered from a season-ending back operation last summer, was effective at times during spring training despite an 0-1 record and 5.87 ERA. Throughout the exhibition season, the Astros listed Reynolds as their No. 3 starter.

“This was a very difficult decision,” general manager Gerry Hunsicker said. “But from what we saw this spring, with the options that we had, the goal is to take the best team to Houston with the best chance to win. I just felt that we had better options.”

Roy Oswalt, Wade Miller and Brian Moehler head the Houston rotation. But the Astros, among the favorites to win the NL Central, will count on a couple of youngsters at the back end.

Redding and Robertson have pitched well this spring.

“You had the trade off — two talented young kids who are unproven at this level versus a veteran that has performed well at this level, but has recently struggled and has now had back surgery in the background,” Hunsicker said.

Reynolds, who turned 35 Wednesday, had surgery June 13 to repair a pinched nerve in his back. He went 3-6 with a 4.86 ERA in 13 starts before then.

Since his major-league debut in 1992, Reynolds is 103-86 with a 3.95 ERA, ranking seventh in Astros history in wins and fifth with 1,309 strikeouts.

Atlanta second baseman Mark Derosa, right, displays his swing to Houston's Adam Everett, left, Morgan Ensberg and Lance Berkman. The Braves beat the Astros, 7-2, Thursday in Kissimmee, Fla. Mike Hampton allowed just one unearned run in four innings for Atlanta.

“It was kind of a somber moment,” Redding said. “I know Jeriome’s thrilled and I’m happy, too. But at no time do you think you could see a guy like Shane Reynolds released.”

In exhibition games:

Diamondbacks (ss) 5, White Sox 5, 9 innings

At Tucson, Ariz., Curt Schilling pitched five innings in his last start before the season. The Arizona ace allowed one earned run and four hits.

Marlins 8, Cardinals 1

At Jupiter, Fla., Mike Lowell homered twice and Josh Beckett tuned up with two scoreless innings for Florida.

Yankees 12, Blue Jays 6

At Tampa, Fla., Jason Giambi homered for the third straight game and Bernie Williams homered for the Yankees.

Pirates 6, Reds 2

At Bradenton, Fla., Aramis Ramirez hit two homers and drove in four runs. He has homered seven times this spring for Pittsburgh.

Mariners 9, Padres 4

At Peoria, Ariz., Seattle starting shortstop Carlos Guillen left because of a mild left hip strain. He was taken out after rounding first base following his RBI single in the first inning, and manager Bob Melvin said he thought Guillen would be out a day or two.

Braves 7, Astros 2

At Kissimmee, Fla., Mike Hampton gave up one unearned run in four innings. Acquired in the offseason, Hampton did not allow an earned run in his final 10 innings and finished with a 4.13 ERA this spring.

Athletics 7, Brewers 4

At Phoenix, Eric Chavez, Scott Hatteberg and Adam Melhuse homered. Oakland is 5-0 against Milwaukee this spring.

Angels 4, Cubs 3

At Tempe, Ariz., Mickey Callaway allowed three runs in six innings and struck out six. He’ll start the second game of the season for Anaheim.

Indians 6, Tigers 5

At Lakeland, Fla., Shane Spencer went 2-for-3 with a home run for Cleveland.

Devil Rays 8, Phillies 0

At Clearwater, Fla., Victor Zambrano, Brandon Backe and Jorge Sosa combined on a no-hitter for Tampa Bay. Zambrano pitched five innings, Backe went two and Sosa got the final six outs.

Diamondbacks (ss) 22, El Paso 8

At El Paso, Texas, Diamondbacks star Luis Gonzalez showed his versatility as a hitter, going 2-for-2 with a home run and scoring twice with two RBIs in four innings against Arizona’s Double-A affiliate.