"This time next year the Astros will be involved in a different kind of search – pursuing a permanent designated hitter as the organization prepares for its first season in the American League West.

Over the years, Houston has used the opportunity of interleague games to rest some of its regulars and get others at bats in the regular lineup. Though Carlos Lee has taken most of the DH ABs recently, both Jason Michaels and Lance Berkman have had drawn some of the assignments.

Jeff Bagwell, Berkman, Lee and even Craig Biggio have served as the Astros' DH over the years, but mostly only to give their bodies a break from playing in the field a few games."