Houston Astros News

Pitcher Roy Oswalt #44 and catcher Humberto Quintero #55 argue with home plate umpire Bill Hohn after he threw Oswalt out of the game in the third inning against the Washington Nationals for complaining about the strike zone at Minute Maid Park on May 31, 2010 in Houston, Texas.

The annual Houston baseball dinner has been one of the constants of my two decades here, and there haven't been many variations from the standard format during that time.

Houston Elkins' Geonte Jackson, Spring's Jeremy Kivel, Klein's Kelli Hanzel, Bay City's Andrea Hawkins and Klein Collins' C.J. Hinojosa overlook Minute Maid Park.

There were several high-profile starting pitchers dealt this offseason.A While most of the trades caught few by surprise, many around the game were shocked at the lack of interest in Astros left-hander Wandy Rodriguez .A With all of the changes going on in Houston, many assumed Rodriguez would be dealt for prospects.A However, Astros general ... (more)

The Astros will not go to arbitration at all this year as shortstopA Jed Lowrie has agreed to a one-year deal worth a base salaryA of $1.15 million plus performance and award bonuses, according to his agent.

Prior to the Steroid Era, 500 home runs was considered the milestone a slugger could reach to ensure that one day he would be immortalized in the Baseball Hall of Fame.

We have an early winner for the most obvious headline of 2012, right? After seeing that the Astros invited a unique mix of prospects to spring training on Monday, my thoughts turned to how likely it was that George Springer broke camp with Houston as a starting outfielder.

Just got off the phone with his mother, so I'd say that's a reliable source. Mention surgery and the worst is usually anticipated, but the best part of it is that this procedure shouldn't cause him to miss any playing time, and he should be none the worse for wear afterwards.

Outfielder J.D. Martinez, second baseman Jose Altuve and reliever David Carpenter are a big part of the Astros' rebuilding plan.

There has been a recent signing binge on former Rays players, most heading to the AL and NL Central.

Pitchers and catchers report to spring training in about two weeks. The 2012 Major League Baseball season is just around the corner, and that is never a bad thing.

The last place Houston Astros understand that they have their work cut out for them, battling fro fans in a state where the other Major League Baseball team is the defending American League champion and has bulked up its team during the off season for another run at the World Series, 1200 WOAI news reports.

The Hot Stove has cooled and one of the most active winters in recent memory is now a thing of the past.

One of my earliest memories of watching college baseball in the Houston area took place in the Spring of 1984.

TODD YATES/CALLER-TIMES Jim Crane, new owner of the Houston Astros, takes the stage during the annual Astros CAREavan tour to kick off the 2012 season.

Chris Johnson #23 of the Houston Astros makes a diving attempt on a hard hit ball.

The word from on-high came earlier this week when the Houston Astros announced that Jim Crane had heard the voice of the fans and thus would not be changing the team's name.

Don't mistake Nevada Gov. Brian Sandoval's invitations to the Republican presidential contenders as anything more than a hospitable gesture.

The Houston Astros and the Astros In Action Foundation will host its annual FanFest on Saturday, Feb.

Maybe the sub-title comes across as too cynical. But as spring training approaches, the ritual of players telling us about their excellent athletic condition is upon us.