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Wandy heading to DL, Astros will promote Lyles

Barely three years after graduating from high school in Hartsville, S.C., right-hander Jordan Lyles — the top prospect in the Astros organization — will fulfill a lifelong dream when he makes his Major League debut on Tuesday at Wrigley Field. The Astros announced Saturday afternoon they will place left-hander Wandy Rodriguez on the 15-day disabled [...]

Astros eye turnaround after slow start to year

If they were going to have any kind of chance to stay competitive this year in the National League Central, the Astros needed to have so many things go just right. Nearly one-quarter of the way into the season, not much has. In addition to injuries to starting catcher Jason Castro, shortstop Clint Barmes and [...]

Astros walk off in Berkman’s return to Minute Maid

Brian Bogusevic arrived at Minute Maid Park in time to miss the game’s first pitch and became a hero. Angel Sanchez couldn’t get a bunt down and wound up singling. Bill Hall had grounded into a bases-loaded double play in his previous at-bat and was thirsty for another shot. The bottom of the ninth inning [...]

Johnson among Astros taking extra hacks

The Astros’ Chris Johnson, Matt Downs, Brett Wallace and Joe Inglett took early batting practice under the sun at Minute Maid Park on Monday afternoon. Hitting coach Mike Barnett said he’ll have groups take early hitting from time to time during the season. “Wally just wanted a few extra swings and so did C.J.,” Barnett [...]

Astros silenced at home in spring finale

The Red Sox scored five first-inning runs off Astros starter Nelson Figueroa while Josh Beckett silenced Houston hitters, leading to a 10-0 exhibition victory for Boston in front of 25,755 at Minute Maid Park. It was the final spring contest before each team’s Opening Day on Friday. The Red Sox will open their season at [...]

Wallace’s seven-RBI day carries Astros

Powered by Brett Wallace’s grand slam, the Astros toppled the Orioles, 14-8, on Tuesday afternoon at Ed Smith Stadium. After a fourth-inning single, Wallace picked the perfect time for his first spring homer, taking Orioles reliever — and closer hopeful — Kevin Gregg deep with one out in the fifth. Wallace’s homer was the third [...]

Johnson’s two hits not enough for Astros

Kyle McClellan threw three shutout innings in his spring debut on Saturday, and the Cardinals’ bullpen capably supported him in a 1-0 victory over the split-squad Astros. St. Louis faced just one batter over the minimum through the sixth inning and retired 12 straight batters at one point, and Colby Rasmus scored the game’s only [...]

Astros hold first baserunning drills of spring

The Astros went through some baserunning drills Saturday for the first time this spring, and players were pretty spent by the time workouts were finished in the morning heat. When it came to running the bases, the players lined up at the plate and took turns going from home to second, second to home and [...]

Astros infielder arrives at camp early despite left foot injury

This past offseason was a disappointing one for Jeff Keppinger, who lost the Astros’ starting second-base job when the club traded for Clint Barmes and signed Bill Hall. He then underwent left foot surgery and is expected to miss the first six weeks of the season. Keppinger underwent surgery Jan. 14 to remove a sesamoid [...]

Rowland-Smith committed to contact lenses

Ryan Rowland-Smith’s trademark glasses are no more. At the encouragement of his sister, Rowland-Smith has ditched the glasses he had worn for most of his career in favor of contact lenses. Rowland-Smith has astigmatism and has found wearing contact lenses to be uncomfortable in the past, but he finally found the right combination. “As far [...]