Hunter Pence says he knows his time eventually will come to be a leader of the Houston Astros. When general manager Ed Wade heard his right fielder say that, he looked at his watch.
Brad Mills bounces around the practice fields at the Houston Astros’ spring training complex, always in the middle of the action. The 53-year-old rookie manager smacks grounders to his infielders on one field, throws batting practice on another, offers advice to pitchers fielding bunts on another.
NL Central Outlook: Brewers, Astros, Cardinals, Reds, Cubs, Pirates The National League Central looks to be pretty evenly balanced, except for the Pirates of course. This year, the Milwaukee Brewers have the best pitching staff with Yovani Gallardo, Randy Wolf, Doug Davis, Jeff Suppan and Manny Parra. Although there’s no standout aces, its a deep rotation and this will pay off in the long season
Houston All-Star first baseman Lance Berkman will sit out the Astros’ spring training opener against Washington because of a bruised left knee.
Roy Oswalt and Lance Berkman may be the emotional leaders of the Houston Astros, but Carlos Lee has been the team’s most consistent and productive player over the last three seasons. The left fielder is coming off his fifth straight 100-RBI season and eighth in a row with at least 25 home runs. Lee batted .300 in 2009, his fourth consecutive year reaching the benchmark.
Rookie Tommy Manzella well-prepared for new role as Astros’ every-day shortstop
Sporting News staff reports Lance Berkman is preparing himself mentally to leave the Astros after this season. The slugging first baseman tells the Houston Chronicle he “may have to” find another team after 2010, “whether I like it or not.” The Astros have a $15 million club option for 2011, with a $2 million buyout
The Houston Astros have begun their 25th spring training camp in Kissimmee, Florida. So, the logical thing to do is to send our own Matt Musil over to the Sunshine State to follow the team through the first couple of days of camp!
The Astros and general manager Ed Wade have agreed on a two-year contract extension through 2012.
The Houston Astros beat Wandy Rodriguez in salary arbitration on Thursday, meaning the pitcher will be paid $5 million this year instead of the $7 million he sought.
