Houston Astros News

Astros' Berkman to have knee surgery, could miss opener
Comment
March 12
Houston Chronicle
 
"Astros first baseman Lance Berkman will require surgery to remove loose particles from his left knee and could miss opening day. Berkman was examined today by team physician Dr. David Lintner, who was making his scheduled trip to the Astros' spring training complex. "Dr. Lintner hopes to have the procedure done tomorrow in Kissimmee," general manager Ed Wade said. "You're probably looking at a two-to-four-week time frame." The 34-year-old Berkman suffered the contusion in a baserunning drill two weeks ago and was forced to miss the Grapefruit League opener. "When the diagnosis was a contusion, the hope was that it would resolve non-surgically," Wade said. Berkman had the knee drained twice ..."
Knee to sideline Berkman up to a month
Comment
March 12
MLB.com
 
"Astros first baseman Lance Berkman will undergo surgery to remove loose particles from his left knee and will miss two to four weeks. The date of the surgery isn't known, and it could take place in Houston or Kissimmee. It's unknown whether Berkman will be ready for Opening Day. Berkman was examined Friday morning by team medical director Dr. David Lintner. "We're probably looking at two to four weeks," general manager Ed Wade said. "Whether or not he's going to be ready for Opening Day really just depends on the healing process. They haven't even gone in yet, so it's too early to tell, but the normal timeframe would be two to four weeks. We'll see where it flows from there.""
Rockets gain depth with Hill's emergence, return of Ariza, Lowry
Comment
March 12
Houston Chronicle
 
"Once again, Rick Adelman has options, and this makes the Rockets coach happy. Which isn't to suggest he was miserable when guard Kyle Lowry and swingman Trevor Ariza were sidelined with injuries for a combined 18 games, their absences between Feb. 9 and March 7 coinciding with a 4-8 swoon. But all is well when the roster is back at full strength, or close to it, as evidenced by the smiles at Toyota Center on Thursday. It's why the remaining 19 games on the schedule are being greeted with optimism, which as of recently might not have been the case. "It's a huge difference," Adelman said. "It gives me a lot more flexibility in who I can go to and who I can play. Hopefully, we can get ..."
Another start for Paulino
Comment
March 12
Houston Chronicle
 
"First baseman Lance Berkman will skip the Astros' trip to play the Toronto Blue Jays today and have his left knee examined by team physician Dr. David Lintner. Berkman was diagnosed with a contusion last week before the Grapefruit League opener and has had fluid removed from the knee twice. "It was puffy again (Wednesday)," general manager Ed Wade said. "So rather than putting him on a bus and run him over to Dunedin, he'll probably stay back here and see Dr. Lintner and let him lay hands on it and see what he thinks about him. "Hopefully, it's something that resolves (itself) in short order the way they expect it to. I'm not concerned at this point." After missing the opener, Berkman has ..."
Berkman will miss Friday to have 'puffy' knee examined
Comment
March 12
Houston Chronicle
 
"Astros first baseman Lance Berkman will skip the Astros' trip to play the Blue Jays on Friday and will have his left knee examined by team physician Dr. David Lintner. Berkman was diagnosed with a contusion last week before the grapefruit league opener and has since had fluid removed from the knee twice. "It was puffy again (Wednesday)," general manager Ed Wade said. "So rather than putting him on a bus and run him over to Dunedin, he'll probably stay back here and see Dr. Lintner and let him lay hands on it and see what he thinks about him." "Hopefully it's something that resolves in short order the way that they expected to. I'm not concerned at this point.""
Brian Moehler remains an asset to the Astros as a starter or a reliever
Comment
March 12
Houston Chronicle
 
"Brian Moehler is hard to label, right down to the position. One could say he's a starting pitcher, but he's only three years removed from a season in which he relieved in all 42 appearances. One could say he has been a perpetual candidate for losing his spot since that 2007 season, but he was one of the first players the Astros locked up for 2010. And one could say he's heading into his 14th big league season as the unshakable veteran of the clubhouse, but he still struggled early in his first start of spring training because he was too jumpy. So Brad Mills, how would you label Moehler in your first spring training as his manager? "He's been Brian Moehler." Well labeled. "He comes as ..."
Rodriguez misses target
Comment
March 11
Houston Chronicle
 
"Wandy Rodriguez said he felt fine physically during and after his start Wednesday, but when the Astros lefty started missing the target, the results were ugly. Rodriguez gave up six runs in three innings as the Astros were pounded by the Florida Marlins 16-4 at Osceola County Stadium. "I wanted to throw the ball down and throw my changeup and my breaking ball," Rodriguez said. "I just missed my spots." Rodriguez was let down by his defense. Hunter Pence misread a fly ball in right, and Edwin Maysonet botched a grounder at short, with both mistakes leading to runs. But Rodriguez also was victimized by the Marlins' righthanded hitters."
Magic number for Astros a lofty goal
Comment
March 11
Houston Chronicle
 
"The Astros have left the specifics to their cross-state rivals, the Rangers, who are pumping out predictions north of 90 wins to microphones left and right. They have also left them in their past, with no echoes so far of Cecil Cooper's ill-fated 90-win prediction of a season ago. When a team is coming off a 74-88 season, there is little room for bravado, especially with so many of the pieces still in place. It doesn't mean the Astros don't think they can be competitive. It doesn't mean they don't believe they can make the playoffs. There is just a long way to go. A really long way. Under the alignment in place since the last expansion in 1998, the National League Central champion has ..."
Offense aggressive against Mets' ace
Comment
March 10
Houston Chronicle
 
"The Astros put together a superb overall game and beat the New York Mets 8-4 at Tradition Field. They put a damper on Johan Santana's heartily anticipated spring training debut by pounding the Mets ace for four runs. Kaz Matsui took Santana deep to left-center for a solo home run as part of the Astros' three-run first. Matsui reached base in all four plate appearances, drawing two walks and adding a single. The Astros would compound Santana's problems with five more hits, chasing him one out short of two innings. Pedro Feliz homered and doubled, and Geoff Blum went 4-for-4 with two doubles to raise his spring average to .538. The Astros stole three bases, turned three double plays and got ..."
Astros rock Santana in Mets pitcher's spring debut
Comment
March 10
Houston Chronicle
 
"The Astros ruined Johan Santana's heartily-anticipated spring training debut by pounding the Mets ace for four runs in 1 2/3 innings and winning 8-4. Kaz Matsui took Santana deep to left-center field for a solo home run as part of the Astros' three-run first inning. The Astros would add five more hits off the lefty, chasing Santana in front of his home crowd at Tradition Field. Geoff Blum went 4-for-4 with two doubles to raise his spring training average to .538."
No quit in Astros' Byrdak
Comment
March 10
Houston Chronicle
 
"Tim Byrdak had finished a bullpen session the other day when new Astros coach Jamie Quirk approached him and smiled. "So what clicked with you?" Quirk asked. They'd met a dozen years earlier when Quirk was a coach for the Kansas City Royals and Byrdak was beginning what he hoped would be a long and successful major league career. Simple question, complicated answer. Byrdak could have talked for an hour and not told Quirk the whole story. About all the times he'd been released, traded and injured or had doubted. About 15 years in the minor leagues and the long bus rides, cold showers and trays of cold cuts. About all the pitches he tried and junked and sometimes tried again. Byrdak is still ..."
Astros trying to find right fit for fifth wheel
Comment
March 10
Houston Chronicle
 
"Help wanted. Position: Fifth outfielder, Houston Astros. Qualifications: Pinch-hitting ability, defensive versatility, lefthandedness desired but not required. Starting salary: $400,000. Job description: Waiting for the right moment. That last part is where it gets complicated for those seeking one of the only jobs actually available during Astros spring training. The team is set for a starting outfield with Carlos Lee, Michael Bourn and Hunter Pence in the lineup as everyday players with an almost negligible injury history. Jason Michaels is looking like the man for the No. 4 spot after signing a one-year contract in the offseason to remain in Houston. The fifth spot is a free-for-all ..."
Offense a let down against Toronto
Comment
March 9
Houston Chronicle
 
"A day after giving up nine runs through five innings, it was the offense that let the Astros down in a 4-1 loss to the Toronto Blue Jays at Osceola County Stadium. The Astros were held scoreless through seven innings by a trio of Blue Jays pitchers, including three innings apiece by lefthanders Ricky Romero and Dana Eveland. "You'd like to see us be able to string some things together," manager Brad Mills said. "They threw the ball real well." J.R. Towles put forth the best offensive effort of the afternoon, smacking a double to left off Romero and driving in the Astros' only run on a gapper to right-center in the eighth as part of his 3-for-4 day. Towles, who played designated hitter with ..."
Norris, Towles solid in Astros' loss to Blue Jays
Comment
March 9
Houston Chronicle
 
"The Astros were held scoreless for the first seven innings and couldn't catch the Toronto Blue Jays in a 4-1 loss Monday at Osceola County Stadium. Bud Norris allowed one run in two innings in his first start of spring training. The last pitcher to take his turn in the rotation, Norris gave up only a solo home run to catcher J.P. Arencibia on a high fastball in the first inning."
Astros' Wright takes mound with more versatility
Comment
March 9
Houston Chronicle
 
"Stories of pitchers and laboratories usually end somewhere on the shame-littered road between public tearful apologies and congressional investigations. Wesley Wright's excursion to his own personal laboratory in the Dominican Republic resulted in neither. To Wright, the mound in the Dominican was his laboratory. It was a chance to work on his repertoire and his stamina on a stage where team executives and fantasy players wouldn't notice jumps in his ERA and more importantly, his spot on the roster wouldn't be compromised by a few extra walks allowed. And it was a chance for the Astros to take a look at him eight times under a relatively unfamiliar circumstance — as a starting pitcher. ..."
His only speed: full
Comment
March 8
Houston Chronicle
 
"Sometimes Astros outfielder Hunter Pence has to be seen to be believed. Here is a guy who professes an unconditional love for baseball and a team-first mentality. One who had trouble sleeping the night before the Astros' first spring game because he was so excited. Indeed, things you hear or read about him might just sound too good to be true in regard to a professional athlete in this age of pampered superstars and big egos. Until you witness Pence in action, that is. It was the fifth day of full workouts, and manager Brad Mills had his position players running the bases. It was cold, and the infield dirt was wet from rain that had fallen the night before. But there came Pence, all 6-4 ..."
Astros bullpen can't hold lead in 9-4 loss to Braves
Comment
March 8
Houston Chronicle
 
"The Astros gave back an early two-run lead, as relievers allowed eight runs in a three-inning span in a 9-4 loss Sunday to the Atlanta Braves at Disney's Wide World of Sports Complex. Gary Majewski allowed three runs in the bottom of the third, one of which was unearned because of a Tommy Manzella fielding error. Roy Corcoran then gave up three in the fourth, and Josh Banks allowed two in the fifth. The loss, on the heels of a 3-0 win over the Braves on Saturday, evened the Astros' Grapefruit League record at 2-2. Astros starter Brian Moehler battled mechanical problems that affected his control in giving up one run over two innings in his first start of the spring. "Physically I felt ..."
Moehler battles mechanical problems
Comment
March 8
Houston Chronicle
 
"Relievers allowed eight runs in a three-inning span as the Astros wasted a 3-1 lead in a 9-4 loss to the Atlanta Braves at Champion Stadium on Sunday. Gary Majewski allowed three runs in the bottom of the third, one of which was unearned because of a Tommy Manzella error. Roy Corcoran then gave up three runs in the fourth, and Josh Banks allowed two in the fifth. The loss, on the heels of a 3-0 win in the first half of the home-and-home with the Braves, evened the Astros' Grapefruit League record at 2-2. Astros starter Brian Moehler battled mechanical problems that affected his control in giving up one run over two innings in his first start of the spring."
Lee enters lineup for first time
Comment
March 7
Houston Chronicle
 
"The plan was to throw 35 pitches Saturday, but when Roy Oswalt found himself in a jam early on, he saw a chance to work his way out of it and still come back out for more. "I was thinking, bases loaded in your first inning of spring training, why not?" said Oswalt, who pitched two innings in the Astros' 3-0 win over the Braves at Osceola County Stadium. He finished throwing 44 pitches and allowed one hit and three walks while striking out two. As new Astros pitching coach Brad Arnsberg gets to know Roy Oswalt better, he is convinced the ace understands his role well."
Astros pitcher Oswalt shaky in spring debut
Comment
March 7
Houston Chronicle
 
"Righthander Roy Oswalt pitched two scoreless innings in his first action of the spring, and the Astros shut out the Atlanta Braves 3-0 on Saturday at Osceola County Stadium. Oswalt walked three and had to escape a bases-loaded jam in the first inning during his 44-pitch outing. Lance Berkman, who is nursing a bruised left knee, started at first base and made two plate appearances, a walk and a strikeout."
Putting his stamp on it
Comment
March 7
Houston Chronicle
 
"Three weeks into spring training, the work of new pitching coach Brad Arnsberg is already palpable on the likes of hard-throwing righthander Felipe Paulino. Astros general manager Ed Wade was quick to notice Paulino's delivery was simpler, smoother and more effective as he threw strike after strike in a game against the Tigers, when he fanned the first three batters he faced. "I saw a marked difference," said Wade, who knew Arnsberg had been working with Paulino, a candidate for the starting rotation, to abbreviate his hip turn when throwing. "Sometimes it is a little correction that makes the biggest difference." It could be argued that in baseball, no other staffer besides the manager ..."
Don Kelly clubs monster home run, Tigers crush Astros
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March 6
Detroit News
 
"With the help of Gerald Laird's aggressive base running, Don Kelly's two-run home run and four multiple-run innings -- including a seven-run eighth -- the Tigers downed the Houston Astros 17-7 on Friday at Marchant Stadium. After a run-scoring double in the second, Laird took third on a wild pitch and scored on a double-play grounder to short. In the fifth, after reaching second on an error, he took third on a ground ball and scored on first baseman Chris Shelton's wild throw to third. Kelly's home run was a monstrous two-run shot to right in the seventh off former Tiger Yorman Bazardo.

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Both starter Eddie Bonine and Phil Coke, the second Tigers pitcher in ..."

Berkman enters lineup as DH
Comment
March 6
Houston Chronicle
 
"One day after overpowering the competition with their bats, the Astros kept on hitting Friday. But it was their pitching that struggled in their second game of the spring, which was OK with manager Brad Mills because it gave his players a chance to play defense. Third baseman Chris Johnson was good for three doubles in four at-bats, but the Astros could not overcome 16 hits and a whopping 11 walks en route to a 17-7 loss to the Detroit Tigers in Lakeland, Fla. Gustavo Chacin, Yorman Bazardo and Polin Trinidad had rough outings, with Trinidad walking four batters before being pulled in what turned out to be a seven-run eighth for the Tigers. The Astros opened Grapefruit League play with a ..."
Astros' offense stays hot, pitching struggles
Comment
March 6
Houston Chronicle
 
"One day after overpowering the competition with their bats, the Astros kept on hitting. It was their pitching that struggled in their second game of the spring. Third baseman Chris Johnson hit three doubles in four at-bats and drove in two runs, but the Astros could not overcome giving up 16 hits and a whopping 11 walks en route to a 17-7 loss to the Detroit Tigers on Friday. Gustavo Chacin, Yorman Bazardo and Polin Trinidad had rough outings, with Trinidad walking four batters before being pulled in what turned out to be a seven-run eighth inning for the Tigers. The Astros opened Grapefruit League play with a 15-5 win over a Washington Nationals split squad Thursday. "In a lot of terms, I ..."
Rodriguez not resting on laurels
Comment
March 6
Houston Chronicle
 
"Whether it is the focus needed to pitch in a game or the comfort level that comes from his family and home in suburban Houston, Astros lefthander Wandy Rodriguez is all about staying in the zone this days. As he has done each spring training since joining the Astros, Rodriguez reflected on the latest season gone by and took stock of what he has learned, not what he accomplished. And he accomplished plenty in 2009. "I learned a lot last year, too," said Rodriguez, a veteran of five seasons. "The most important thing is your concentration in crucial situations in the game." Coming off his most successful season in the majors, one that saw him lead the Astros in wins while posting ..."
Joking aside, Berkman's serious about winning
Comment
March 6
Houston Chronicle
 columnist Richard Justice
"Lance Berkman isn't Fat Elvis. He's not casual about conditioning, winning or anything else. Not now. Not ever. If that's the perception of Lance Berkman, he has no one but himself to blame. All those jokes on himself have come home to roost. Now that he's coming off a bad year — a bad year by his amazingly high standards — some have latched onto the notion that Berkman just doesn't care enough. Those of us who love the guy know how far off they are. Berkman is obsessive about his statistics, work habits, faith, family, politics, pretty much everything. He's also very, very smart. He's a voracious reader, a debater, a thinker. And sometimes interviews bore him. "I enjoy joking around," he ..."
Astros show plenty of offense in spring opener
Comment
March 5
Houston Chronicle
 
"One game into their spring season, the Astros are a winning club under new manager Brad Mills. Hunter Pence hit two home runs – including a three-run blast – in the fourth inning to ignite the Astros to a 15-5 come-from-behind victory over the Washington Nationals on a cool and windy Thursday afternoon. Backup outfielder Yordany Ramirez also had a three-run homer, and Jason Michaels and Chris Johnson contributed solo shots as the Astros won their Grapefruit League opener at Osceola County Stadium. The Astros were without Lance Berkman (bruised knee) and Carlos Lee (excused absence)."
Homers make Mills' debut a success
Comment
March 5
Houston Chronicle
 
"One game into their spring season, the Astros are a winning club under new manager Brad Mills thanks in large part to an offensive explosion spearheaded by Hunter Pence's monster showing Thursday. Pence hit two home runs — including a three-run blast — in the fourth inning, igniting the Astros to a 15-5 come-from-behind victory over a Washington Nationals split squad at Osceola County Stadium. Backup outfielder Yordany Ramirez also had a three-run homer, and Jason Michaels (3-for-3) and Chris Johnson contributed solo shots as the Astros won their Grapefruit League opener. "It's always nice to see the guys, and especially some big guys like Hunter, swinging the bats well," Mills said. "We ..."
Five backup spots in question as games begin
Comment
March 5
Houston Chronicle
 
"With the arrival of spring games, the auditions officially have begun for candidates trying to land their names on the Astros' 25-man roster come opening day. Some position battles have been announced and are bound to take center stage. By now everyone knows about top prospect Jason Castro's race with J.R. Towles for the role of everyday catcher. Or the impending battle at closer between newcomers Matt Lindstrom and Brandon Lyon. Or the fifth spot in the starting rotation that is up for grabs. But that doesn't mean manager Brad Mills and his coaching staff will neglect other races that look to be as tight, particularly in the backup roles and bullpen. "We might look at those needs a little ..."
Visit from Bagwell
Comment
March 4
Houston Chronicle
 
"Retired Astros icon Jeff Bagwell suited up for the first time this spring training and spent much of Wednesday morning watching attentively as the team played an intrasquad game that featured six minor league minicamp attendees. "It's exciting to see some of the young guys in action," said Bagwell, 41. Bagwell, who has assisted the Astros with player development since retiring in 2006 at age 37, underwent major surgery on his right shoulder in January. "It's still early (in the recovery process)," said Bagwell of the shoulder, the same one that forced him to retire. "I have to let it heal." The surgery didn't prevent Bagwell from showing up to camp for a three-day visit, which he will use ..."
Ready for next gear
Comment
March 4
Houston Chronicle
 
"It was the talk of the clubhouse to begin spring training — how new Astros manager Brad Mills was a breath of fresh air. How his workouts were intense but fun. How energized the camp felt. But as the Astros entered their second week of full-squad workouts Wednesday, has that vibe been sustained by both manager and players alike? To borrow a popular line, you betcha. "I think the thing that everyone understands is that (Mills) comes from a winning organization," pitcher Brian Moehler said. "He knows what it takes to win; he's brought that energy over here, and we're feeding off of that." They better have consumed lots of it. Beginning today, when they open Grapefruit League play at home ..."
Berkman, Lee to miss spring opener
Comment
March 4
Houston Chronicle
 
"The Astros will be without their two biggest bats today when they host the Washington Nationals in their Grapefruit League opener. First baseman Lance Berkman will sit out the game with a left knee contusion. Left fielder Carlos Lee will be some 850 miles west-northwest of Osceola County Stadium attending the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, with manager Brad Mills' permission. The Astros want to play it safe with Berkman, even though his knee injury is not considered serious. "We're going to let this thing calm down," Mills said Wednesday. "There's no reason to try to get that thing to flare up any more." Mills left open the possibility of having Berkman play Friday against Detroit in ..."
Trial by fire
Comment
March 3
Houston Chronicle
 
"With a number of players auditioning for jobs this spring training, Astros manager Brad Mills and his coaching staff will be busy taking notes in today's intrasquad game at the Osceola County Stadium complex. The evaluation criteria will be simple. "It's how they perform," Mills said. "We want guys to, if they're going to make mistakes, do it right here in spring training. But we want guys to be aggressive. "The evaluation comes down to when they make the mistakes, why they made them and so on. But we want guys to be aggressive." Thirty-five players, including most non-roster invitees and five prospects attending minor league minicamp, will take part in the game."
Bourn looks to drive Astros from the top of the order again
Comment
March 3
Houston Chronicle
 
"Looking back on it, Astros center fielder Michael Bourn views the opportunity to excel with his hometown team as one that fell into his lap. He took his chance and ran with it. And man, can he run. Coming off his best season as a major leaguer, the speedy Bourn could reference the success and pat himself on the back a few times for a job well done. One for winning a Gold Glove for fielding excellence. Another for leading the National League with 61 stolen bases. And another for posting career highs in almost every other offensive category. But Bourn is not one to dwell on the past, good or bad. "Somebody asked me if it had hit me; I said I don't know. I don't really think about it too much ..."
Berkman day-to-day after hurting knee, Astros say
Comment
March 2
Houston Chronicle
 
"Astros first baseman Lance Berkman will miss today's workout after being diagnosed with a left knee contusion. The team is listing him as day-to-day, with manager Brad Mills leaning toward having Berkman skip Thursday's Grapefruit League opener against Washington but not ready to make a decision yet. "We'll see how things go," Mills said. "With it being a contusion, we have bumps and bruises all the time, and we're going to go through it and see what happens." Berkman, 34, said he hurt the knee during a base-running drill Sunday. He experienced swelling soon after, he said. "I guess I twisted it wrong or did something when we were running the bases," Berkman said. When the swelling did not ..."
Safety first
Comment
March 2
Houston Chronicle
 
"The Astros will keep their frontline position players, catchers and backups out of Wednesday's intrasquad game to avoid the risk of injury, manager Brad Mills said. "That's the last place we want to have an injury," he said. First-base coach Bobby Meacham's Mashers and third-base coach Dave Clark's Crushers will feature mostly non-roster invitees as well as minor league prospects in catcher/first baseman Koby Clemens, catcher Frederico Hernandez, left fielder Andrew Locke, third baseman Jonathan Meyer and outfielder T.J. Steele. Sixteen pitchers, including Brian Moehler, Bud Norris, Jeff Fulchino and Tim Byrdak, will take part in the seven-inning game. Sixteen pitchers, including Brian ..."
In latest job, Biggio's still going all-out
Comment
March 2
Houston Chronicle
 
"There's something about Craig Biggio's retirement that's almost as remarkable as his 20-year major league career. First, he left on his own terms. He played as hard as he could for as long as he could, and then after 3,060 hits, seven All-Star Games and six playoff appearances, he packed his things and hasn't looked back. "I don't really miss any-thing," he said. "It was easier because I was able to leave on my own terms. I went out on top. That last season with the Astros, to be able to feel the emotion of the fans, to feel their love and support, that's pretty special." So there's nothing he misses? "Oh, sure there is," Biggio said. "I miss Dennis (Liborio, clubhouse boss) and the ..."
Astros' Lyon, Lindstrom set to begin battle for closer's spot
Comment
March 2
Houston Chronicle
 
"Almost two weeks into camp, the race for the closer's spot in the Astros' bullpen, one of the most anticipated and intriguing battles entering spring training, has yet to begin. With Brandon Lyon delayed in his throwing program after undergoing a procedure to drain a cyst in his pitching shoulder more than a month ago, it has been hard-throwing Matt Lindstrom doing all of the showing off. That's about to change, however. Lyon threw his first session from the mound — albeit a very light one, in the words of pitching coach Brad Arnsberg — on Monday. It went well enough that Lyon will throw another light session today as he works to catch up and show what he is capable of doing. Astros ..."
Astros still need the offense to do its part
Comment
March 1
Houston Chronicle
 
"The Astros are upfront about it. Much like they did in 2005, when they reached their only World Series, they will lean on pitching and defense to win games this season. This spring training, the Astros will begin to see whether they have enough offense to get the job done and compete. And just so you know, they believe they do. As the team enters its second week of full-squad workouts, the picture is becoming clearer. The Astros are young — and lacking major league experience — at shortstop and catcher. Couple that with the loss of a player like Miguel Tejada in the batting order, and the team's offense appears more suspect than last season, when the Astros finished middle-of-the-table or ..."
There's no questioning Lee's bat
Comment
March 1
Houston Chronicle
 columnist Richard Justice
"Everyone should just shut up about Carlos Lee, and I'll start with myself. He has been everything the Astros could reasonably have hoped he'd be. If they ever thought he was going to steal 50 bases, win a Gold Glove or be some kind of Charlie Hustle clone, that's their problem. Lee has come to Houston and done the same things he did in his eight prior major league seasons. That is, he has hit. He has hit for average and with power. He has driven in runs, too. If the Astros thought they were going to get anything else out of him, they hadn't done their homework, and shame on them for that. Carlos Lee has been what Carlos Lee has always been. "I think I've done what they expected me to do," ..."
Weather cuts workouts short
Comment
February 28
Houston Chronicle
 
"Light rain to go with unseasonably cool temperatures scared fans and autograph-seekers away and cut morning workouts short Saturday at the Osceola County Stadium complex. However, the Astros were able to get in their third session of live batting practice, with the likes of Roy Oswalt, Brett Myers and Wesley Wright facing hitters for the second time this week. "Any time our pitchers can get their work in, especially those pitchers that threw today, that's big," manager Brad Mills said. "I was thrilled with that. "For the hitters, we were able to get enough hitting in the cages, so that was nice." Mills had to alter the workout routine for it to happen, moving up batting practice to follow ..."
In step with Gary Majewski
Comment
February 28
Houston Chronicle
 
"Gary Majewski, righthanded pitcher Having not pitched in the majors in more than a year, Houston native Gary Majewski is hoping the Astros offer him a chance at some point this season. There is no other place he'd prefer to pitch. "Just to be able to pitch at home in a comfortable atmosphere would be awesome," Majewski said. A star high school pitcher at St. Pius X, where his No. 34 is retired and where he led the Panthers to the 5A state title in 1998, Majewski is with his sixth major league organization in his 10th year as a pro. A relief pitcher, he has made 229 big league appearances since debuting with the Montreal Expos in 2003."
Myers draws start for Grapefruit opener
Comment
February 27
Houston Chronicle
 
"Righthander Brett Myers will be the starting pitcher for the Astros when the team opens Grapefruit League play Thursday at home against Washington. Lefthander Wandy Rodriguez will pitch the following day at Detroit in Lakeland, with righthander Roy Oswalt going March 6 against Atlanta at Osceola County Stadium, Astros manager Brad Mills said before workouts Friday morning. Also in the rotation will be righthanders Bud Norris, Felipe Paulino and Brian Moehler, Mills said."
Astros sign Manzella, leaving three unsigned
Comment
February 27
Houston Chronicle
 
"Astros shortstop Tommy Manzella agreed to a split contract worth up to $400,000. In his third spring training, Manzella, 26, is expected to claim the starting role and provide a defensive upgrade on the left side of the infield. Manzella, Class AAA Round Rock's MVP for 2009, was a third-round pick by the Astros in the 2005 draft. With split contracts, players are paid their major league salary as long as they are on the team's roster. They are paid a lower salary for time spent in the minors."
Paulino, Lo impress manager Mills
Comment
February 27
Houston Chronicle
 
"Paulino, Lo impress Felipe Paulino and Chia-Jen Lo stood out to manager Brad Mills during the right-handers' sessions. "(Paul-ino) threw the ball pretty well," Mills said. "To have the velocity he has and to have the command he had today was the biggest thing." Not coincidentally, Paulino will start for the Astros in Friday's "B" game against the Detroit Tigers at Lakeland, Fla. Mills also was impressed with Lo, the 23-year-old Taiwanese prospect who is in his first major league camp. "The ball came out of his hand really well," Mills said. "It had some good life on it and a really good finish. That's good to see, especially with this being his first live (batting practice)." Taking the ..."
Heating up the hot corner
Comment
February 27
Houston Chronicle
 
"Astros third baseman Pedro Feliz is one of 14 new faces in the clubhouse. But as the only one with his locker next to Carlos Lee's, Feliz came in knowing a thing or two about his new teammate, whom he faced in the Arizona Fall League years ago. "I know he's going to be talking," Feliz said. He also knows this: Penciled in as the starter since he was signed to a one-year, $4.5 million deal, he has been brought to the Astros with the understanding and expectation he will help carry the offensive load. "They pretty much know how much I can do," said Feliz, a native of Puerto Rico. Granted, a big reason for Feliz's arrival is the Astros' necessity to improve defensively. And just by glancing ..."
Time Is Now for Astros' Mills to Stand on His Own
Comment
February 27
New York Times
 
"It was the morning of the first practice of the first spring training for Brad Mills, major league manager. Mills leaned on a fungo bat near the bullpen mounds at Osceola County Stadium. He knew the sound bite the reporters wanted, about realizing a dream that was decades in the making. But he could not bring himself to give it. Over and over, Mills insisted he was not thinking about himself. At 53, he is old enough to understand the point of his new job. His only focus is the Houston Astros. "I didn't know how else to say it; I tried to reword it three or four times," Mills said later in his office, still gripping the bat, lightly swinging it at his desk chair. "How did I feel? I feel ..."
Cold conditions for first Astros batting practice
Comment
February 26
Houston Chronicle
 
"A cold morning greeted the Astros on Thursday for their first day of live batting practice. As was expected with the conditions, there wasn't a lot of swinging going on. "It was more of a bullpen session (for the pitchers)," righthander Roy Oswalt said. "I didn't figure the guys would swing too much." With temperatures in the mid-40s through the morning, players were out to avoid "stingers," a rather unpleasant sensation in their hands that comes with hitting in cold weather. Also throwing were righthanders Matt Lindstrom, JeffFulchino, ShaneLoux, Brett Myers, Wilton Lopez, Yorman Bazardo, Henry Villar and Evan Englebrook and lefthanders Wandy Rodriguez, Tim Byrdak, Wesley Wright Going ..."
In step with outfielder Jason Bourgeois
Comment
February 26
Houston Chronicle
 
"Houston native Jason Bourgeois grew up going to the Astrodome. His father, John, worked in the ticket office, so getting in to soak in a game was never a problem. "I grew up watching the Astros," said Bourgeois, a product of Forest Brook High School. "Ever since I was 5 or 6 years old, I dreamed of playing in the Astrodome, playing professional baseball." Fast-forward to this spring training, and Bourgeois, one of 17 non-roster invitees, finds himself wearing an Astros uniform as he competes for an extra spot in the outfield. A 10-year veteran of the minor leagues, Bourgeois came to the Astros in October after being claimed off waivers from Milwaukee, where he made 24 appearances in 2009, ..."
This time of year still gives McLane a spring in his step
Comment
February 26
Houston Chronicle
 columnist Richard Justice
"Astros owner Drayton McLane spent the morning in 48-degree weather posing for pictures, signing autographs, making small talk and seemingly loving every minute of it. Later, he hung out with Roy Oswalt and Wesley Wright in the player's lounge, shook about two dozen hands and looked forward to an afternoon meeting with Jeff Bagwell. "We're trying to help Jeff with the next phase of his career," McLane said. "He's got more potential than just being a player. I'm his coach." This is the part of owning a baseball team McLane loves. It's the part where he speaks at a team meeting and tells players how important it is to "visualize" success in 2010. It's the part where he orders a cheeseburger ..."