While the Houston Astros lost their first exhibition game of spring training by a final score of 12-2 against the Cleveland Indians, it wasn’t all bad for Houston. Wandy Rodriguez, who started for the Astros, tossed two scoreless innings. Rodriguez is expected to be in the pitching rotation once the season begins.
Michael Bourn, who is slated to play centerfield and bat first in the lineup, also played well. He got a hit, stole a base and scored a run for the Astros.
“Michael looked like the guy we’re going to need at the top of the lineup,” said manager Cecil …read more

As players got back into the swing of things during spring training, minor injuries are common at this time of year. Both Lance Berkman and Brandon Backe can now confirm that theory.
Berkman, the star outfielder for the Houston Astros, suffered a strained oblique muscle while batting during a workout. Although Berkman won’t be available for at least the first few spring training games, he isn’t worried.
“You don’t want to do anything to really hurt yourself,” Berkman told MLB.com. “Who cares about playing the first two weeks of spring training? It’s one of those deals, I want to try to be …read more

No, Craig Biggio isn’t coming out of retirement to play for the Houston Astros. However, the Astros legend agreed to a personal service contract to remain a part of the franchise. The contract is three years in length.
Although the exact job description hasn’t been totally planned out, Biggio is expected to work with the team in spring training. Biggio could also be called upon to help minor leaguers throughout the upcoming season.
Jeff Bagwell, another former Astros legend, agreed to a similar contract after his 2006 retirement. Bagwell and Biggio might be asked to work together and help young players by …read more

It’s been a great week for me because it has been more intense at my workout facility. The training has worked out the way my trainer and I expected. Generally, every off-season I would lift weights like a body builder and gain a bunch of weight.
It’s somewhat of a culture shock to put all my training into legs and core and explosive movements. I don’t have the big upper body that I’m used to, which is mainly only good for looking in the mirror, as it turns out.
This week was also my first opportunity to hit on the field. I …read more

Former Houston Astros star and current Astros consultant Nolan Ryan has been named the team president of the Texas Rangers. Ryan, 61, will have wide ranging responsibilities in his new role with the Rangers. He replaces Jeff Cogen, who left the Rangers for a position with the Dallas Stars of the NHL.
Ryan has a long history with both the Astros and the Rangers. At the age of 33, Ryan joined the Astros in 1980. He pitched nine seasons for the Astros and is still the all-time franchise leader in strikeouts with 1,866. Ryan is also third all-time in franchise history …read more