The Astros released infielder David Newhan and reassigned right-hander Chad Paronto to Minor League camp on Saturday. Newhan was not viewed by manager Cecil Cooper as a candidate for the backup-infielder job. "Not really," Newhan said of whether he was surprised by his release. "The only way Coop's really communicated is through you [reporters]. I'm not blind. It's just unfortunate. ... They talked about having a shortstop the whole time. I wish I had gotten a chance to at least screw that up. I never really got that opportunity."