Astros Tickets

Monday, March 01, 2010

A week into workouts in Kissimmee, Fla., a race for the job of starting catcher was officially under way in the Astros' camp.The team has six catchers in camp, but only two—J.R. Towles and top prospect Jason Castro—are candidates for the role of everyday catcher. The Astros have made up their mind that one of them will be the starter, with veteran Humberto Quintero as the trusted backup. Castro, 22, entered camp having recovered from an exhausting year in which he played 109 games between Class A Lancaster and Class AA Corpus Christi while also spending time with Team USA and in the Arizona Fall League. "Hopefully with the work that I have done I have put myself in a good position to compete for a spot," said Castro, who has been fast-tracked...

Monday, March 01, 2010

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.

Sunday, February 28, 2010

Pedro Feliz derives as much joy from a sparkling play at third base as he does from a home run, and the Houston Astros need plenty of both from him this season. The 34-year-old Feliz left Philadelphia after two NL-pennant winning seasons and signed a one-year deal with the Astros. He'll take over the full-time role at third base after Geoff Blum and Jeff Keppinger split time there for Houston...

Saturday, February 27, 2010

Michael Bourn wants to build on his breakout season of 2009. The Houston Astros' speedy center fielder won his first Gold Glove and led the NL in stolen bases, but he arrived at spring training thinking that several parts of his game need to get better. "You've got to come into every season ready to play, mentally ready, no matter what you did the year before," Bourn said...

Saturday, February 27, 2010

Considering what Tommy Manzella has already overcome to get this far, proving he's capable of being the Houston Astros' shortstop must not seem too tough. The 26-year-old rookie arrived at spring training expected to be a regular after a steady climb through the minors. The Astros did not re-sign Miguel Tejada in the offseason, creating the opening for Manzella to show what he can do.

Friday, February 26, 2010

Every day in spring training until we're finished with the entire league, Big League Stew takes a brief...

Wednesday, February 24, 2010

He's the face of the franchise, a five-time All-Star and one of the last holdovers from the Houston Astros' only World Series appearance that seems more distant that just four seasons ago. The Astros are starting fresh with a new manager and a revamped roster, but Lance Berkman is still the most vital position player in the clubhouse, a veteran leader and one of the greatest hitters in...

Wednesday, February 24, 2010

Brandon Lyon and Matt Lindstrom pitched against each other in junior college about a decade ago. They're two of the newest Houston Astros now, and the 30-year-old right-handers are facing off again, this time for the closer's role. The Astros acquired Lyon and Lindstrom after Jose Valverde and setup man LaTroy Hawkins became free agents and signed elsewhere.

Saturday, February 20, 2010

The most-watched rookie on the first day of spring training for the Houston Astros was the manager. First-time skipper Brad Mills ran his first workout Saturday, when Houston's pitchers and catchers reported to the club's spring training complex near Orlando. The 53-year-old Mills is a major league manager for the first time after spending the last six seasons as Terry Francona's bench...

Thursday, February 18, 2010

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. Arbitrators Richard Bloch, Elizabeth Neumeier and Fredric Horowitz made their decision a day after hearing the case. Rodriguez, a 31-year-old left-hander, was 14-12 last season with a 3.02 ERA, ninth in the NL among qualifiers.