Astros

Zach Duke (Astros)

2/21/12 10:46 am

Zach Duke will work initially as a starter this spring.

If it’s not going well, the ‘Stros will simply switch Duke over to relief. “We?re going to see what he’s able to bring to the table,” manager Brad Mills said Tuesday in Astros camp. “We?re going to give him a chance to start a couple games, but he’s also been able to compete out of the pen and having a lefty like that is an opportunity where he might be able to earn a spot.” Duke signed a minor league contract with Houston last month.

Source: chron.com

Tagged as: Astros, news, Zach Duke

Jason Castro (Astros)

2/20/12 4:56 pm

Jason Castro caught a bullpen session Monday for the first time since undergoing surgery in December to remove the sesamoid bone from his left foot.

“I feel it went really well,” said Castro. “It was nice to get in there and catch someone with pretty serious movement.” Castro would catch three bullpen sessions per day in camp under normal circumstances, but the Astros are naturally easing him back into action. The 24-year-old backstop still hopes to be ready for the start of the season, but Chris Snyder and Humbero Quintero would carry the load in the early going if he suffers any setbacks.

Source: mlb.com

Tagged as: Astros, Jason Castro, news

Brandon Lyon (Astros)

2/19/12 1:31 pm

Brandon Lyon (shoulder) said he’ll have no limitations at the beginning of spring training.

“I?ve thrown a few times off the mound, which is kind of rare for me coming into spring training,” he said. “I usually don?t throw too much, but I felt like I had to throw a couple of times and get on the mound and see where I?m at. I?m actually pretty happy where I?m at. I feel like I?m ahead of where I usually am right now.” The Astros are having an open competition for their closer job, but Lyon has to enter camp as the favorite despite not appearing in a game since last June. He wouldn’t be a great bet to pitch well and remain in the role, though.

Source: mlblogs.com

Tagged as: Astros, Brandon Lyon, news

Jason Castro (Astros)

2/19/12 9:42 am

Jason Castro (foot surgery) said Sunday he’s “healthy and good to go.”

Castro had surgery in early-December to remove the sesamoid bone from his left foot and most figured he wouldn’t be ready by Opening Day. He’s progressed ahead of schedule, though, and it sounds like there’s a good chance he’ll be able to avoid the disabled list. That said, Castro admitted that he’ll ease back into action after the foot surgery and having missed all of the 2011 season with a torn ACL. Chris Snyder offers the Astros insurance behind the plate until Castro is ready for a full workload.

Source: twitter.com

Tagged as: Astros, Jason Castro, news

Brett Wallace (Astros)

2/18/12 1:18 pm

Astros signed INF Brett Wallace, OF Brian Bogusevic, RHP Fernando Rodriguez, and LHP Fernando Abad to one-year contracts.

Wallace will see time at third base during spring training with Carlos Lee expected to serve as the club’s starting first baseman. Bogusevic, 28, is coming off a season that saw him hit .287 with four home runs and 15 RBI in 87 games with the Astros. Rodriguez and Abad figure to compete for bullpen duties.

Tagged as: Astros, Brett Wallace, news

Wandy Rodriguez (Astros)

2/12/12 8:51 am

Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe reports that the Astros have been surprised about the lack of trade interest in Wandy Rodriguez and Brett Myers this offseason.

Most any team could use either pitcher in their rotation, but their salaries are big roadblocks to any deal. With his $13 million option for 2014 becoming guaranteed if he’s traded, Wandy is owed $36 million over the next three seasons. Myers’ $10 million option for 2013 is likely to vest if he stays healthy in 2012, putting his price tag at $21 million over the next two years. Cafardo says the Astros “would assume a fair portion” of Rodriguez’s contract in a trade, which is the opposite of what we’ve previously heard, but perhaps they’re starting to reconsider their stance after receiving tepid interest in the left-hander.

Source: boston.com

Tagged as: Astros, news, Wandy Rodriguez

Marwin Gonzalez (Astros)

2/11/12 11:40 am

Astros general manager Jeff Luhnow believes that Rule 5 pick Marwin Gonzalez possesses the tools to become an everyday player.

”When you get a guy in the Rule 5, you don’t automatically hand him the position,” Luhnow said. ”Marwin’s got the tools to be an everyday shortstop down the road. If you have to carry him on the roster, you don’t want to overexpose him.” Gonzalez, 22, is expected to compete for a utility job behind starter Jed Lowrie this year.

Source: mlb.com

Tagged as: Astros, Marwin Gonzalez, news

Jed Lowrie (Astros)

2/8/12 6:59 pm

The Astros and SS Jed Lowrie avoided arbitration by agreeing to a one-year contract.

No word yet on the dollar amount. Lowrie requested $1.5 million and was offered $900,000 by the Astros when arbitration figures were exchanged in January. It took around a month for the two sides to find a middle ground.

Source: twitter.com

Tagged as: Astros, Jed Lowrie, news

Brandon Lyon (Astros)

2/8/12 11:35 am

Astros’ general manager Jeff Luhnow said Wednesday that the team’s closer spot is wide open.

As it should be. Brandon Lyon (shoulder) and David Carpenter are the leading candidates for the gig, but other relievers like Wilton Lopez could also be in the mix. Astros’ manager Brad Mills will likely settle on a closer by the end of spring training, but we suspect this could be an area of flux during the season.

Source: twitter.com

Tagged as: Astros, Brandon Lyon, news

Brett Wallace (Astros)

2/8/12 10:27 am

Astros manager Brad Mills said Wednesday on 1560-AM in Houston that Brett Wallace will take grounders at third base during spring training.

Wallace began his professional career as a third baseman as a farmhand with the Cardinals, but he made the move over to first base following trades to Oakland and Toronto. His defensive chops are still questionable, but some versatility could help his chances of providing value to the Astros with Carlos Lee expected to serve as the club’s starting first baseman this season.

Source: twitter.com

Tagged as: Astros, Brett Wallace, news

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