Ahead of schedule, Castro eyes spring games  ...more ?
Ahead of schedule, Castro eyes spring games
Cosart eager to crack hometown Astros' roster  ...more ?
Cosart eager to crack hometown Astros' roster
Sanchez clears waivers, remains with Astros  ...more ?
Sanchez clears waivers, remains with Astros
Bogusevic excited to compete for right-field job  ...more ?
Bogusevic excited to compete for right-field job
Astros invite Livan to Spring Training  ...more ?
Astros invite Livan to Spring Training
Analyze this: Astros' Mejdal takes on unique role  ...more ?
Analyze this: Astros' Mejdal takes on unique role
Astros GM Luhnow begins executing his plan  ...more ?
Castrovince: Luhnow begins executing his plan
Crane tells fans: Astros name remains the same  ...more ?
Crane tells fans: Astros name remains the same
Johnson: 'Now I'm ready to break out'  ...more ?
Astros' Johnson: 'Now I'm ready to break out'
Astros invite former All-Star Duke to camp  ...more ?
Astros invite former All-Star Duke to camp
Astros land three on Top 100 Prospects list  ...more ?
Astros land three on Top 100 Prospects list
Broadcaster Deshaies chats with Astros fans  ...more ?
Broadcaster Deshaies chats with Astros fans
Astros' name connects with fans' pride in city  ...more ?
Justice: Astros' name connects with fans' pride
Astros designate Sanchez to add Snyder  ...more ?
Astros designate Sanchez to add Snyder
Astros announce fan-friendly initiatives for 2012  ...more ?
Astros announce fan-friendly initiatives for 2012
Astros ticket rep to compete on 'Baseball IQ'  ...more ?
Astros ticket rep to compete on 'Baseball IQ'
Singleton No. 3 on list of top first-base prospects  ...more ?
Singleton No. 3 on list of top first-base prospects
DeShields No. 6 on list of top 2B prospects  ...more ?
DeShields No. 6 on list of top 2B prospects
Astros add catcher Snyder with one-year deal  ...more ?
Astros add catcher Snyder with one-year deal
Norris looks to build on progress made in '11  ...more ?
Norris looks to build on progress made in '11

Yahoo! Sports

Astros Team Report (Yahoo! Sports)  ...more ?

Despite where the Astros sit relative to the rest of baseball, spots in the rotation will not just be handed out this spring. That was assured when a sixth extremely viable candidate was added to the rotation mix with the signing of veteran workhorse Livan Hernandez.

Hernandez, 36, signed a minor league contract complete with an invitation to major league spring training, where he will have a legitimate shot to make the opening day roster. It would be his 17th season in the major leagues for the 1997 World Series MVP.

"He gives us a veteran presence and it gives us flexibility so we don't have to push some young guys into roles if they're not ready for them," Astros general manager Jeff Luhnow said.

The most obvious young arm is attached the body of Jordan Lyles,...

Colorado GM tries a classic Rockies approach (Yahoo! Sports)  ...more ?
Dan O'Dowd turned to a collection of graybeards in pursuit of consistency that has eluded the Rockies.
MLB Roundup: Ortiz likely headed to arbitration, Lannan and Nats go head to head (Yahoo! Sports)  ...more ?
David Ortiz and the Boston Red Sox are likely headed to an arbitration hearing to determine the designated hitter's 2012 salary, according to an ESPN.com report. A hearing isn't scheduled for this week, leaving time to negotiate, the report said, citing a source.
Livan Hernandez signs minor-league deal with Astros (Yahoo! Sports)  ...more ?
Right-hander Livan Hernandez signed a minor-league contract with the Houston Astros. The former World Series MVP received an invitation to major league spring training, where he will have a chance to make the team. Hernandez, 36, was the Opening Day starter for Washington last...
Philadelphia Phillies Newest Reliever Adds Bullpen Depth: Fan's Take (Yahoo! Contributor Network)  ...more ?
General manager Ruben Amaro, Jr. added another piece to his 2012 roster puzzle through the addition of right-handed reliever Chad Qualls. The eight-year veteran could prove to be a smart late offseason addition to the team, as he could basically assume Ryan Madson's long-time...
Livan Hernandez, Astros agree to minor league deal (AP)  ...more ?
The Houston Astros have agreed to a minor league contract with former World Series MVP Livan Hernandez. The 36-year-old pitcher was invited to major league spring training. Hernandez was the opening day starter for Washington last season and started 29 games for the Nationals, going 8-13 with a 4.47 ERA.
MLB Roundup: Oswalt meets with Rangers officials (Yahoo! Sports)  ...more ?
Lunch went well for Roy Oswalt and the Texas Rangers in a Monday face-to-face meeting, according to an ESPN.com report. Oswalt, his wife, Nicole, and agent, Bob Garber, met Rangers general manager Jon Daniels and CEO and president Nolan Ryan.
Crane says Astros will keep name (Yahoo! Sports)  ...more ?
The Houston Astros may be switching leagues, but they'll keep their team name. New owner Jim Crane emailed a video message to season-ticket holders Monday saying, "one thing that we are not going to change is the name." He said last week that he was considering a...
New owner says he won't change Astros' name (AP)  ...more ?
New Houston Astros owner Jim Crane says he won't change the team's name. Crane said last week he was considering a switch. But he emailed a video message to season-ticket holders on Monday saying, "one thing that we are not going to change is the name." He says he made the decision after receiving "strong feedback and consensus among season-ticket holders and many fans."...
Restaurants by Osceola County Stadium in Greater Orlando (Yahoo! Contributor Network)  ...more ?
The Osceola County Stadium in Kissimmee, Fla., is the spring training home of the Houston Astros. For game-day hunger, consider hitting up one of these nearby restaurants before or after you cheer on your favorite players underneath the Greater Orlando sun.
Ten possible new names for the Houston Astros (Yahoo! Sports)  ...more ?
When the Houston Astros switch to the American League in 2013, they also might undergo a makeover that includes new uniforms (whatever) and a new name (gasp!). The franchise has a history of fiddling with both. New owner Jim Crane, ? Continue reading ?
New Astros owner reducing some ticket prices (Yahoo! Sports)  ...more ?
New Houston Astros owner Jim Crane on Monday introduced the team's new plan to reduce ticket prices for some seats and allow fans to bring their own food and drinks to the game. Crane was asked about the possibility of changing the team's name and uniforms.
Crane mulling name, uniform changes (AP)  ...more ?
New Houston Astros owner Jim Crane is considering changing the name of the franchise as well as its uniforms. Crane said Monday the team will conduct a study to decide whether or not to switch the name. "We're going to study the information both from the fans and from all sorts of marketing people," Crane said.
Ron Paul stars in Astros rainbow uniform at ?76 Congressional ballgame (Yahoo! Sports)  ...more ?
Almost nobody likes Congress. The polls say so. But I'll say this for the federal legislature: Republicans and Democrats play each other in a baseball game every year, and that partly makes up for whatever it is they do the ? Continue reading ?
Rockies get Scutaro from Red Sox for Mortensen (PA SportsTicker)  ...more ?
The Colorado Rockies acquired infielder Marco Scutaro from the Red Sox for right-hander Clayton Mortensen on Saturday in a surprising trade that could pave the way for top Boston prospect Jose Iglesias to take over at shortstop sooner than expected.
MLB 2012 Houston Astros Spring Training Schedule (Yahoo! Contributor Network)  ...more ?
With the start of spring training right around the corner, fans of the Houston Astros have plenty to look forward to this season. Will this be the year the Astros surprise everyone and claim a World Series championship? The Astros train at Osceola County Stadium in Kissimmee,...
MLB Roundup: Yanks' A-Rod expects DH rotation (Yahoo! Sports)  ...more ?
Alex Rodriguez is excited about the prospect of playing with newly acquired pitcher Michael Pineda -- and looks forward to doing so at third base more than as a designated hitter. In an interview with ESPNdeportes, Rodriguez lauded the New York Yankees' new, young pitcher while...
Astros sign C Snyder to 1-year deal (Yahoo! Sports)  ...more ?
The Houston Astros signed catcher Chris Snyder to a one-year deal, with a mutual option for another season, the team announced Friday. Snyder played most of his eight seasons for the Arizona Diamondbacks, before getting sent to the Pittsburgh Pirates in 2010.
Yankees sign Gardner to 1-year deal (Yahoo! Sports)  ...more ?
The New York Yankees avoided salary arbitration with outfielder Brett Gardner, announcing a one-year deal Friday. Gardner hit .259 with 87 runs scored and led the American League with 49 stolen bases last season. He added 60 walks for a .345 on-base percentage in 159 games, with 124...
Spring Training 2012: Osceola County Stadium, Home to the Houston Astros (Yahoo! Contributor Network)  ...more ?
Osceola County Stadium is intimate and vibrant, like a good spring training stadium should be. The stadium is located in Kissimmee, Fla., and is the spring training home to the Houston Astros. The stadium opened in 1985 and underwent an $18.3 million renovation in 2003 .