Carlos Lee

Carlos Lee had a homer, a double and five RBI to lead the Astros to a 9-5 win over the Mets on Sunday.

All of the damage came off Mike Pelfrey. Lee had been without an RBI in six games this spring until knocking in five runs today. He’s entrenched as the Astros’ cleanup hitter, at least until the team finds anyone willing to take on half of his salary.

Carlos Lee (hamstring) is not playing in Monday’s Grapefruit League game against the Braves.

Lee suffered a right hamstring strain over the weekend. The Astros don’t seem all that concerned about it, and are likely just playing it safe here in early March.

Carlos Lee has been scratched from Saturday’s Grapefruit League opener due to a mild right hamstring strain.

It doesn’t sound like a big deal, but there’s no reason to push anyone this early in camp, especially a veteran like Lee. He should be good to go in a few days. Brett Wallace will start at first base in Lee’s place.

Carlos Lee is still considering retirement after the 2012 season.

Lee might choose to hang up his cleats, but Zachary Levine of the Houston Chronicle said the veteran “sounded intrigued” by the idea of potentially being the Astros’ designated hitter in 2013 when they move to the American League. Lee will earn $18.5 million in the final season of his contract.

Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe writes that Carlos Lee “has not been receptive to waiving his no-trade clauses.”

The Astros would love to unload some of Lee’s salary, but as a 10-5 player, he would have to approve any deal. So far it doesn’t appear that Houston has had any substantive trade talks with anyone regarding the 35-year-old even though they’re reportedly willing to eat half or maybe more of his $18.5 million salary. The Tigers could potentially be a fit.

Jon Paul Morosi of FOXSports.com reports that the Astros and Tigers have yet to discuss in depth a trade involving Carlos Lee.

Lee has been speculated as a possible replacement for the injured Victor Martinez, but it sounds like he’s not a real option for them, or at least isn’t at this time. There are a handful of DH options like Vladimir Guerrero, Raul Ibanez and Johnny Damon that could appeal to Detroit, or they could just wind up sticking Delmon Young in the role and making Ryan Raburn their everyday left fielder.

Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe reports that the Rays discussed a trade for Carlos Lee but ultimately decided the money was too much to take on, even with the Astros eating a big chunk of it.

Cafardo says the conversations were brief, so it doesn’t appear a deal was ever close to going down. The Rays have already signed Luke Scott to be their designated hitter, which is where they’d likely have wanted to slot Lee. Cafardo says there are a few other teams in the mix for Lee, who is owed $18.5 million in the final year of his contract.

Jon Paul Morosi of FOXSports.com reports that the Astros are hearing from a few teams on Carlos Lee, but that no deal is close.

Morosi speculates that Lee would be an excellent fit for the Indians, though it’s not clear if they are legitimately interested. The 35-year-old batted .275/.342/.446 with 18 homers, 94 RBI and a .788 OPS last season and is under contract for $18.5 million in 2012 as part of the final year of his six-year, $100 million deal. The Astros would likely have to eat a significant part of his salary in any deal.