"The Astros finished off a busy Tuesday by agreeing to a contract with free agent Jack Cust, according to a person with knowledge of the deal.

Cust will be under contract for 2012 and the Astros hold a club option for 2013, meaning Cust could become the team's first designated hitter when the Astros move to the American League in 2013, as most of his career experience is bat-only.

The team also agreed to a $2.35 million contract with lefty J.A. Happ, exchanging salary arbitration proposals with shortstop Jed Lowrie, and hiring former Astros farmhand and experienced minor league pitching coach Craig Bjornson as bullpen coach."