In his first season as a major league manager, Brad Mills takes over a team that boasts a new third baseman, a rookie shortstop, a weakened bullpen that needs to be sorted out and no clear starter at catcher. The Astros are counting on defense and pitching to help them contend, but a priority has to be finding a way to make up for the loss of Miguel Tejada's offensive contributions. ARRIVALS: RHP Matt Lindstrom (trade with Marlins), 3B Pedro Feliz (free agent from Phillies), RHP Brandon Lyon (free agent from Tigers), RHP Brett Myers (free agent from Phillies), OF Cory Sullivan (minor league free agent from Mets), C Kevin Cash (minor league free agent from Yankees). DEPARTURES: RHP LaTroy Hawkins (free agent, signed with Brewers), C Chris Coste (free agent, signed with Mets), RHP Jose Valverde (free agent, signed with Tigers), SS Miguel Tejada (free agent, signed with Orioles), RHP Doug Brocail (retired), INF Aaron Boone (free agent, retired), INF/OF Darin Erstad (free agent, unsigned), LHP Mike Hampton (free agent, unsigned). SPRING FOCUS: Tops on the Astros' to-do list are sorting out the bullpen, with offseason acquisitions Matt Lindstrom and Brandon Lyon competing for the closer role, and deciding on an everyday catcher. Also worth keeping an eye on is how the bottom of the rotation will shape up, with Brian Moehler and Felipe Paulino likely competing for the No. 5 spot. PROJECTED ROTATION: 1. RHP Roy Oswalt 2. LHP Wandy Rodriguez 3. RHP Brett Myers 4. RHP Bud Norris 5. RHP Brian Moehler The addition of Myers gives the rotation much-needed bite -- and depth. He is a workhorse who can go 200-plus innings when healthy. Oswalt remains the ace, but his back is a major concern. The Astros hope Rodriguez can at least replicate last season's performance that earned him team pitcher of the year honors. RHP Felipe Paulino, who can throw in the triple digits but has had control issues, will challenge Norris (6-3 in 10 starts as a rookie in 2009) and veteran Moehler for one of remaining two spots. But if the Astros want to go the safe route, he will start the year in Class AAA Round Rock. PROJECTED BULLPEN: RHP Matt Lindstrom (closer) RHP Brandon Lyon LHP Tim Byrdak RHP Jeff Fulchino RHP Chris Sampson RHP Alberto Arias Lindstrom and Lyon have big shoes to fill. The bullpen is decidedly weaker without RHPs Jose Valverde and LaTroy Hawkins. Lindstrom and Lyon will compete for the role of closer. Lyon, who was signed to a three-year, $15 million deal, was considered the top candidate for the job, but he will enter spring training at least 10 days behind schedule after having a cyst in his right shoulder drained. That gives Lindstrom an edge. PROJECTED LINEUP: 1. CF Michael Bourn 2. 2B Kaz Matsui 3. LF Carlos Lee 4. 1B Lance Berkman 5. 3B Pedro Feliz 6. RF Hunter Pence 7. SS Tommy Manzella 8. C Humberto Quintero New manager Brad Mills already has a lineup in mind, with its biggest question mark being rookie Manzella, whom Mills describes as an unknown on offense. Bourn is a lock at the top, with Matsui to follow -- provided he stays healthy. Newcomer Pedro Feliz could go fifth behind power hitters Carlos Lee and Lance Berkman; he was acquired for his defensive skills but also for his pop potential. Manzella likely will end up seventh. PROJECTED RESERVES: INF Geoff Blum INF Jeff Keppinger INF Chris Johnson OF Jason Michaels OF Cory Sullivan or OF Brian Bogusevic C J.R. Towles or C Jason Castro Blum, who made 102 appearances at third base in 2009, will be utility infielder. The Astros won't hesitate to put Blum at second if Matsui struggles, and they might use him at third in tandem with Feliz. Sullivan replaces Darin Erstad as the backup left-handed bat in the outfield. Castro and Towles will battle for the backup catcher spot to begin the season, with Castro poised to claim the starting role as the year progresses. TOP ROOKIES: Talk about pressure: SS Tommy Manzella takes over Miguel Tejada's duties, which instantly improves the Astros' defense. Manzella's offensive contributions remain to be seen, however. He hit .289 (.339 on-base percentage, .417 slugging percentage) with nine home runs and 56 RBIs for Class AAA Round Rock last season. C Jason Castro is one of the Astros' top prospects, and he appears to have the tools, talent and brains to be the starting catcher at some point this season. He hit .293 (362 OBP, .385 slugging) with three homers and 29 RBIs in 63 games with Class AA Corpus Christi in 2009. MEDICAL WATCH: --1B Lance Berkman (left knee contusion) missed the March 4 Grapefruit League opener but returned to play as a DH the next day. --RHP Brandon Lyon (right shoulder weakness) has begun throwing mound sessions as he works to catch up. He began camp two weeks behind schedule. --RHP Roy Oswalt (degenerative back disk) was throwing without discomfort early in spring training. --RHP Jeff Fulchino (ankle) and RHP Casey Daigle (foot) had recovered and were back to full workouts.

--RHP Brandon Lyon began throwing light sessions from the mound in early March without discomfort, giving the Astros reason to believe the race for the closer spot will be under way soon. Lyon entered camp behind schedule after having a cyst in his right shoulder drained in the offseason. "It's felt good," Lyon said. "I'm not 100 percent yet, but I feel I'm getting my strength back." --CF Michael Bourn may have had a breakout 2009, but he's the first to say plenty of work remains. Bourn, who is coming off a Gold Glove season that also saw him lead the National League in stolen bases (61), wants to improve on his bunting and cut down on his strikeouts. "I like to be aggressive," said Bourn, who led the Astros with 140 strikeouts in 2009. "When I'm passive is when I tend to strike out, I feel." --RHP Felipe Paulino, who is competing with veteran Brian Moehler for the No. 5 spot, will be given every opportunity to make the rotation. And the Astros expect the power pitcher to respond. "With the tools he's got, we want him to go out there and grab the bull by the horns," manager Brad Mills said. --2B Kaz Matsui needs a solid spring training if he is to keep his starting spot. Astros brass as well as manager Brad Mills have made it clear they will not hesitate to replace Matsui with Jeff Keppinger or Geoff Blum if he struggles or is unable to stay healthy. That said, Astros GM Ed Wade is convinced the team is at its best with a healthy Matsui in the starting lineup. --LF Carlos Lee missed the first two games of the spring while at the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, where he had 11 entries. Lee, an avid cattle rancher with properties in Texas and his native Panama, cleared the trip with manager Brad Mills at the beginning of spring training. --RHP Bud Norris, the projected No. 4 starter, had his contract renewed at $401,000 by the Astros after failing to agree to terms before the March 3 deadline. Earlier in the week, INF Edwin Maysonet and LHP Wesley Wright agreed to deals worth up to $400,000 and $444,500, respectively. BY THE NUMBERS: 2 -- Home runs, including a three-run blast, hit in an inning by OF Hunter Pence in the March 4 Grapefruit League opener, which the Astros won 15-5 over the Nationals. QUOTE TO NOTE: "I feel like any given day, if I'm on my game, you can throw an All-Star hitting lineup out there and I can shut them down." -- RHP Roy Oswalt.

It could not be spring training for the Astros without an injury scare. The Astros got their first -- and arguably the biggest of all -- when Lance Berkman complained of pain and swelling in his left knee during the first week of March. Berkman, the Astros' biggest bat, was diagnosed with a contusion that forced him to miss a workout and the team's Grapefruit League opener. He was back in uniform March 5, getting two at-bats as the designated hitter against the Tigers. "(The knee) is OK; it's not perfect, but it's definitely playable," Berkman said. "It doesn't necessarily feel a lot better, but when the doctor told me I couldn't hurt it any worse, why not go back out there? "I need to get ready for the season." With Miguel Tejada gone and two prospects vying for starting jobs, the Astros are counting on Berkman to stay healthy and return to All-Star form if the team is to be competitive. Berkman, 34, missed a month last season with a calf injury en route to posting some of his lowest numbers since becoming the Astros' marquee player. "We need to get off to a good start this year, and a big part of that is going to be me being ready on opening day," Berkman said. "So I don't want to miss any time." WHERE: Osceola County Stadium, Kissimmee, Fla. This year marks the Astros' 26th spring training in the town dubbed the "Heart of Florida," which is also home to the Gulf Coast League affiliate. One famous mouse resides nearby. AUTHORITY FIGURES: Brad Mills enters his first spring training as a major league manager after spending the past six seasons as Terry Francona's right-hand man in Boston. He provides the clubhouse with a much-needed breath of fresh air, a leader who comes from a winning organization and an expert communicator. Success this season will depend heavily on pitching, so new pitching coach Brad Arnsberg will have his work cut out.

In his first season as a major league manager, Brad Mills takes over a team that boasts a new third baseman, a rookie shortstop, a weakened bullpen that needs to be sorted out and no clear starter at catcher. The Astros are counting on defense and pitching to help them contend, but a priority has to be finding a way to make up for the loss of Miguel Tejada's offensive contributions. ARRIVALS: RHP Matt Lindstrom (trade with Marlins), 3B Pedro Feliz (free agent from Phillies), RHP Brandon Lyon (free agent from Tigers), RHP Brett Myers (free agent from Phillies), OF Cory Sullivan (minor league free agent from Mets), C Kevin Cash (minor league free agent from Yankees). DEPARTURES: RHP LaTroy Hawkins (free agent, signed with Brewers), C Chris Coste (free agent, signed with Mets), RHP Jose Valverde (free agent, signed with Tigers), SS Miguel Tejada (free agent, signed with Orioles), RHP Doug Brocail (retired), INF Aaron Boone (free agent, retired), INF/OF Darin Erstad (free agent, unsigned), LHP Mike Hampton (free agent, unsigned). SPRING FOCUS: Tops on the Astros' to-do list are sorting out the bullpen, with offseason acquisitions Matt Lindstrom and Brandon Lyon competing for the closer role, and deciding on an everyday catcher. Also worth keeping an eye on is how the bottom of the rotation will shape up, with Brian Moehler and Felipe Paulino likely competing for the No. 5 spot. PROJECTED ROTATION: 1. RHP Roy Oswalt 2. LHP Wandy Rodriguez 3. RHP Brett Myers 4. RHP Bud Norris 5. RHP Brian Moehler The addition of Myers gives the rotation much-needed bite -- and depth. He is a workhorse who can go 200-plus innings when healthy. Oswalt remains the ace, but his back is a major concern. The Astros hope Rodriguez can at least replicate last season's performance that earned him team pitcher of the year honors. RHP Felipe Paulino, who can throw in the triple digits but has had control issues, will challenge Norris (6-3 in 10 starts as a rookie in 2009) and veteran Moehler for one of remaining two spots. But if the Astros want to go the safe route, he will start the year in Class AAA Round Rock. PROJECTED BULLPEN: RHP Matt Lindstrom (closer) RHP Brandon Lyon LHP Tim Byrdak RHP Jeff Fulchino RHP Chris Sampson RHP Alberto Arias Lindstrom and Lyon have big shoes to fill. The bullpen is decidedly weaker without RHPs Jose Valverde and LaTroy Hawkins. Lindstrom and Lyon will compete for the role of closer. Lyon, who was signed to a three-year, $15 million deal, was considered the top candidate for the job, but he will enter spring training at least 10 days behind schedule after having a cyst in his right shoulder drained. That gives Lindstrom an edge. PROJECTED LINEUP: 1. CF Michael Bourn 2. 2B Kaz Matsui 3. LF Carlos Lee 4. 1B Lance Berkman 5. 3B Pedro Feliz 6. RF Hunter Pence 7. SS Tommy Manzella 8. C Humberto Quintero New manager Brad Mills already has a lineup in mind, with its biggest question mark being rookie Manzella, whom Mills describes as an unknown on offense. Bourn is a lock at the top, with Matsui to follow -- provided he stays healthy. Newcomer Pedro Feliz could go fifth behind power hitters Carlos Lee and Lance Berkman; he was acquired for his defensive skills but also for his pop potential. Manzella likely will end up seventh. PROJECTED RESERVES: INF Geoff Blum INF Jeff Keppinger INF Chris Johnson OF Jason Michaels OF Cory Sullivan or OF Brian Bogusevic C J.R. Towles or C Jason Castro Blum, who made 102 appearances at third base in 2009, will be utility infielder. The Astros won't hesitate to put Blum at second if Matsui struggles, and they might use him at third in tandem with Feliz. Sullivan replaces Darin Erstad as the backup left-handed bat in the outfield. Castro and Towles will battle for the backup catcher spot to begin the season, with Castro poised to claim the starting role as the year progresses. TOP ROOKIES: Talk about pressure: SS Tommy Manzella takes over Miguel Tejada's duties, which instantly improves the Astros' defense. Manzella's offensive contributions remain to be seen, however. He hit .289 (.339 on-base percentage, .417 slugging percentage) with nine home runs and 56 RBIs for Class AAA Round Rock last season. C Jason Castro is one of the Astros' top prospects, and he appears to have the tools, talent and brains to be the starting catcher at some point this season. He hit .293 (362 OBP, .385 slugging) with three homers and 29 RBIs in 63 games with Class AA Corpus Christi in 2009. MEDICAL WATCH: --1B Lance Berkman (left knee contusion) missed the March 4 Grapefruit League opener but returned to play as a DH the next day. --RHP Brandon Lyon (right shoulder weakness) has begun throwing mound sessions as he works to catch up. He began camp two weeks behind schedule. --RHP Roy Oswalt (degenerative back disk) was throwing without discomfort early in spring training. --RHP Jeff Fulchino (ankle) and RHP Casey Daigle (foot) had recovered and were back to full workouts.

--RHP Brandon Lyon began throwing light sessions from the mound in early March without discomfort, giving the Astros reason to believe the race for the closer spot will be under way soon. Lyon entered camp behind schedule after having a cyst in his right shoulder drained in the offseason. "It's felt good," Lyon said. "I'm not 100 percent yet, but I feel I'm getting my strength back." --CF Michael Bourn may have had a breakout 2009, but he's the first to say plenty of work remains. Bourn, who is coming off a Gold Glove season that also saw him lead the National League in stolen bases (61), wants to improve on his bunting and cut down on his strikeouts. "I like to be aggressive," said Bourn, who led the Astros with 140 strikeouts in 2009. "When I'm passive is when I tend to strike out, I feel." --RHP Felipe Paulino, who is competing with veteran Brian Moehler for the No. 5 spot, will be given every opportunity to make the rotation. And the Astros expect the power pitcher to respond. "With the tools he's got, we want him to go out there and grab the bull by the horns," manager Brad Mills said. --2B Kaz Matsui needs a solid spring training if he is to keep his starting spot. Astros brass as well as manager Brad Mills have made it clear they will not hesitate to replace Matsui with Jeff Keppinger or Geoff Blum if he struggles or is unable to stay healthy. That said, Astros GM Ed Wade is convinced the team is at its best with a healthy Matsui in the starting lineup. --LF Carlos Lee missed the first two games of the spring while at the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, where he had 11 entries. Lee, an avid cattle rancher with properties in Texas and his native Panama, cleared the trip with manager Brad Mills at the beginning of spring training. --RHP Bud Norris, the projected No. 4 starter, had his contract renewed at $401,000 by the Astros after failing to agree to terms before the March 3 deadline. Earlier in the week, INF Edwin Maysonet and LHP Wesley Wright agreed to deals worth up to $400,000 and $444,500, respectively. BY THE NUMBERS: 2 -- Home runs, including a three-run blast, hit in an inning by OF Hunter Pence in the March 4 Grapefruit League opener, which the Astros won 15-5 over the Nationals. QUOTE TO NOTE: "I feel like any given day, if I'm on my game, you can throw an All-Star hitting lineup out there and I can shut them down." -- RHP Roy Oswalt.

It could not be spring training for the Astros without an injury scare. The Astros got their first -- and arguably the biggest of all -- when Lance Berkman complained of pain and swelling in his left knee during the first week of March. Berkman, the Astros' biggest bat, was diagnosed with a contusion that forced him to miss a workout and the team's Grapefruit League opener. He was back in uniform March 5, getting two at-bats as the designated hitter against the Tigers. "(The knee) is OK; it's not perfect, but it's definitely playable," Berkman said. "It doesn't necessarily feel a lot better, but when the doctor told me I couldn't hurt it any worse, why not go back out there? "I need to get ready for the season." With Miguel Tejada gone and two prospects vying for starting jobs, the Astros are counting on Berkman to stay healthy and return to All-Star form if the team is to be competitive. Berkman, 34, missed a month last season with a calf injury en route to posting some of his lowest numbers since becoming the Astros' marquee player. "We need to get off to a good start this year, and a big part of that is going to be me being ready on opening day," Berkman said. "So I don't want to miss any time." WHERE: Osceola County Stadium, Kissimmee, Fla. This year marks the Astros' 26th spring training in the town dubbed the "Heart of Florida," which is also home to the Gulf Coast League affiliate. One famous mouse resides nearby. AUTHORITY FIGURES: Brad Mills enters his first spring training as a major league manager after spending the past six seasons as Terry Francona's right-hand man in Boston. He provides the clubhouse with a much-needed breath of fresh air, a leader who comes from a winning organization and an expert communicator. Success this season will depend heavily on pitching, so new pitching coach Brad Arnsberg will have his work cut out.

In his first season as a major league manager, Brad Mills takes over a team that boasts a new third baseman, a rookie shortstop, a weakened bullpen that needs to be sorted out and no clear starter at catcher. The Astros are counting on defense and pitching to help them contend, but a priority has to be finding a way to make up for the loss of Miguel Tejada's offensive contributions. ARRIVALS: RHP Matt Lindstrom (trade with Marlins), 3B Pedro Feliz (free agent from Phillies), RHP Brandon Lyon (free agent from Tigers), RHP Brett Myers (free agent from Phillies), OF Cory Sullivan (minor league free agent from Mets), C Kevin Cash (minor league free agent from Yankees). DEPARTURES: RHP LaTroy Hawkins (free agent, signed with Brewers), C Chris Coste (free agent, signed with Mets), RHP Jose Valverde (free agent, signed with Tigers), SS Miguel Tejada (free agent, signed with Orioles), RHP Doug Brocail (retired), INF Aaron Boone (free agent, retired), INF/OF Darin Erstad (free agent, unsigned), LHP Mike Hampton (free agent, unsigned). SPRING FOCUS: Tops on the Astros' to-do list are sorting out the bullpen, with offseason acquisitions Matt Lindstrom and Brandon Lyon competing for the closer role, and deciding on an everyday catcher. Also worth keeping an eye on is how the bottom of the rotation will shape up, with Brian Moehler and Felipe Paulino likely competing for the No. 5 spot. PROJECTED ROTATION: 1. RHP Roy Oswalt 2. LHP Wandy Rodriguez 3. RHP Brett Myers 4. RHP Bud Norris 5. RHP Brian Moehler The addition of Myers gives the rotation much-needed bite -- and depth. He is a workhorse who can go 200-plus innings when healthy. Oswalt remains the ace, but his back is a major concern. The Astros hope Rodriguez can at least replicate last season's performance that earned him team pitcher of the year honors. RHP Felipe Paulino, who can throw in the triple digits but has had control issues, will challenge Norris (6-3 in 10 starts as a rookie in 2009) and veteran Moehler for one of remaining two spots. But if the Astros want to go the safe route, he will start the year in Class AAA Round Rock. PROJECTED BULLPEN: RHP Matt Lindstrom (closer) RHP Brandon Lyon LHP Tim Byrdak RHP Jeff Fulchino RHP Chris Sampson RHP Alberto Arias Lindstrom and Lyon have big shoes to fill. The bullpen is decidedly weaker without RHPs Jose Valverde and LaTroy Hawkins. Lindstrom and Lyon will compete for the role of closer. Lyon, who was signed to a three-year, $15 million deal, was considered the top candidate for the job, but he will enter spring training at least 10 days behind schedule after having a cyst in his right shoulder drained. That gives Lindstrom an edge. PROJECTED LINEUP: 1. CF Michael Bourn 2. 2B Kaz Matsui 3. LF Carlos Lee 4. 1B Lance Berkman 5. 3B Pedro Feliz 6. RF Hunter Pence 7. SS Tommy Manzella 8. C Humberto Quintero New manager Brad Mills already has a lineup in mind, with its biggest question mark being rookie Manzella, whom Mills describes as an unknown on offense. Bourn is a lock at the top, with Matsui to follow -- provided he stays healthy. Newcomer Pedro Feliz could go fifth behind power hitters Carlos Lee and Lance Berkman; he was acquired for his defensive skills but also for his pop potential. Manzella likely will end up seventh. PROJECTED RESERVES: INF Geoff Blum INF Jeff Keppinger INF Chris Johnson OF Jason Michaels OF Cory Sullivan or OF Brian Bogusevic C J.R. Towles or C Jason Castro Blum, who made 102 appearances at third base in 2009, will be utility infielder. The Astros won't hesitate to put Blum at second if Matsui struggles, and they might use him at third in tandem with Feliz. Sullivan replaces Darin Erstad as the backup left-handed bat in the outfield. Castro and Towles will battle for the backup catcher spot to begin the season, with Castro poised to claim the starting role as the year progresses. TOP ROOKIES: Talk about pressure: SS Tommy Manzella takes over Miguel Tejada's duties, which instantly improves the Astros' defense. Manzella's offensive contributions remain to be seen, however. He hit .289 (.339 on-base percentage, .417 slugging percentage) with nine home runs and 56 RBIs for Class AAA Round Rock last season. C Jason Castro is one of the Astros' top prospects, and he appears to have the tools, talent and brains to be the starting catcher at some point this season. He hit .293 (362 OBP, .385 slugging) with three homers and 29 RBIs in 63 games with Class AA Corpus Christi in 2009. MEDICAL WATCH: --1B Lance Berkman (left knee contusion) missed the March 4 Grapefruit League opener but returned to play as a DH the next day. --RHP Brandon Lyon (right shoulder weakness) has begun throwing mound sessions as he works to catch up. He began camp two weeks behind schedule. --RHP Roy Oswalt (degenerative back disk) was throwing without discomfort early in spring training. --RHP Jeff Fulchino (ankle) and RHP Casey Daigle (foot) had recovered and were back to full workouts.

--RHP Brandon Lyon began throwing light sessions from the mound in early March without discomfort, giving the Astros reason to believe the race for the closer spot will be under way soon. Lyon entered camp behind schedule after having a cyst in his right shoulder drained in the offseason. "It's felt good," Lyon said. "I'm not 100 percent yet, but I feel I'm getting my strength back." --CF Michael Bourn may have had a breakout 2009, but he's the first to say plenty of work remains. Bourn, who is coming off a Gold Glove season that also saw him lead the National League in stolen bases (61), wants to improve on his bunting and cut down on his strikeouts. "I like to be aggressive," said Bourn, who led the Astros with 140 strikeouts in 2009. "When I'm passive is when I tend to strike out, I feel." --RHP Felipe Paulino, who is competing with veteran Brian Moehler for the No. 5 spot, will be given every opportunity to make the rotation. And the Astros expect the power pitcher to respond. "With the tools he's got, we want him to go out there and grab the bull by the horns," manager Brad Mills said. --2B Kaz Matsui needs a solid spring training if he is to keep his starting spot. Astros brass as well as manager Brad Mills have made it clear they will not hesitate to replace Matsui with Jeff Keppinger or Geoff Blum if he struggles or is unable to stay healthy. That said, Astros GM Ed Wade is convinced the team is at its best with a healthy Matsui in the starting lineup. --LF Carlos Lee missed the first two games of the spring while at the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, where he had 11 entries. Lee, an avid cattle rancher with properties in Texas and his native Panama, cleared the trip with manager Brad Mills at the beginning of spring training. --RHP Bud Norris, the projected No. 4 starter, had his contract renewed at $401,000 by the Astros after failing to agree to terms before the March 3 deadline. Earlier in the week, INF Edwin Maysonet and LHP Wesley Wright agreed to deals worth up to $400,000 and $444,500, respectively. BY THE NUMBERS: 2 -- Home runs, including a three-run blast, hit in an inning by OF Hunter Pence in the March 4 Grapefruit League opener, which the Astros won 15-5 over the Nationals. QUOTE TO NOTE: "I feel like any given day, if I'm on my game, you can throw an All-Star hitting lineup out there and I can shut them down." -- RHP Roy Oswalt.

It could not be spring training for the Astros without an injury scare. The Astros got their first -- and arguably the biggest of all -- when Lance Berkman complained of pain and swelling in his left knee during the first week of March. Berkman, the Astros' biggest bat, was diagnosed with a contusion that forced him to miss a workout and the team's Grapefruit League opener. He was back in uniform March 5, getting two at-bats as the designated hitter against the Tigers. "(The knee) is OK; it's not perfect, but it's definitely playable," Berkman said. "It doesn't necessarily feel a lot better, but when the doctor told me I couldn't hurt it any worse, why not go back out there? "I need to get ready for the season." With Miguel Tejada gone and two prospects vying for starting jobs, the Astros are counting on Berkman to stay healthy and return to All-Star form if the team is to be competitive. Berkman, 34, missed a month last season with a calf injury en route to posting some of his lowest numbers since becoming the Astros' marquee player. "We need to get off to a good start this year, and a big part of that is going to be me being ready on opening day," Berkman said. "So I don't want to miss any time." WHERE: Osceola County Stadium, Kissimmee, Fla. This year marks the Astros' 26th spring training in the town dubbed the "Heart of Florida," which is also home to the Gulf Coast League affiliate. One famous mouse resides nearby. AUTHORITY FIGURES: Brad Mills enters his first spring training as a major league manager after spending the past six seasons as Terry Francona's right-hand man in Boston. He provides the clubhouse with a much-needed breath of fresh air, a leader who comes from a winning organization and an expert communicator. Success this season will depend heavily on pitching, so new pitching coach Brad Arnsberg will have his work cut out.

In his first season as a major league manager, Brad Mills takes over a team that boasts a new third baseman, a rookie shortstop, a weakened bullpen that needs to be sorted out and no clear starter at catcher. The Astros are counting on defense and pitching to help them contend, but a priority has to be finding a way to make up for the loss of Miguel Tejada's offensive contributions. ARRIVALS: RHP Matt Lindstrom (trade with Marlins), 3B Pedro Feliz (free agent from Phillies), RHP Brandon Lyon (free agent from Tigers), RHP Brett Myers (free agent from Phillies), OF Cory Sullivan (minor league free agent from Mets), C Kevin Cash (minor league free agent from Yankees). DEPARTURES: RHP LaTroy Hawkins (free agent, signed with Brewers), C Chris Coste (free agent, signed with Mets), RHP Jose Valverde (free agent, signed with Tigers), SS Miguel Tejada (free agent, signed with Orioles), RHP Doug Brocail (retired), INF Aaron Boone (free agent, retired), INF/OF Darin Erstad (free agent, unsigned), LHP Mike Hampton (free agent, unsigned). SPRING FOCUS: Tops on the Astros' to-do list are sorting out the bullpen, with offseason acquisitions Matt Lindstrom and Brandon Lyon competing for the closer role, and deciding on an everyday catcher. Also worth keeping an eye on is how the bottom of the rotation will shape up, with Brian Moehler and Felipe Paulino likely competing for the No. 5 spot. PROJECTED ROTATION: 1. RHP Roy Oswalt 2. LHP Wandy Rodriguez 3. RHP Brett Myers 4. RHP Bud Norris 5. RHP Brian Moehler The addition of Myers gives the rotation much-needed bite -- and depth. He is a workhorse who can go 200-plus innings when healthy. Oswalt remains the ace, but his back is a major concern. The Astros hope Rodriguez can at least replicate last season's performance that earned him team pitcher of the year honors. RHP Felipe Paulino, who can throw in the triple digits but has had control issues, will challenge Norris (6-3 in 10 starts as a rookie in 2009) and veteran Moehler for one of remaining two spots. But if the Astros want to go the safe route, he will start the year in Class AAA Round Rock. PROJECTED BULLPEN: RHP Matt Lindstrom (closer) RHP Brandon Lyon LHP Tim Byrdak RHP Jeff Fulchino RHP Chris Sampson RHP Alberto Arias Lindstrom and Lyon have big shoes to fill. The bullpen is decidedly weaker without RHPs Jose Valverde and LaTroy Hawkins. Lindstrom and Lyon will compete for the role of closer. Lyon, who was signed to a three-year, $15 million deal, was considered the top candidate for the job, but he will enter spring training at least 10 days behind schedule after having a cyst in his right shoulder drained. That gives Lindstrom an edge. PROJECTED LINEUP: 1. CF Michael Bourn 2. 2B Kaz Matsui 3. LF Carlos Lee 4. 1B Lance Berkman 5. 3B Pedro Feliz 6. RF Hunter Pence 7. SS Tommy Manzella 8. C Humberto Quintero New manager Brad Mills already has a lineup in mind, with its biggest question mark being rookie Manzella, whom Mills describes as an unknown on offense. Bourn is a lock at the top, with Matsui to follow -- provided he stays healthy. Newcomer Pedro Feliz could go fifth behind power hitters Carlos Lee and Lance Berkman; he was acquired for his defensive skills but also for his pop potential. Manzella likely will end up seventh. PROJECTED RESERVES: INF Geoff Blum INF Jeff Keppinger INF Chris Johnson OF Jason Michaels OF Cory Sullivan or OF Brian Bogusevic C J.R. Towles or C Jason Castro Blum, who made 102 appearances at third base in 2009, will be utility infielder. The Astros won't hesitate to put Blum at second if Matsui struggles, and they might use him at third in tandem with Feliz. Sullivan replaces Darin Erstad as the backup left-handed bat in the outfield. Castro and Towles will battle for the backup catcher spot to begin the season, with Castro poised to claim the starting role as the year progresses. TOP ROOKIES: Talk about pressure: SS Tommy Manzella takes over Miguel Tejada's duties, which instantly improves the Astros' defense. Manzella's offensive contributions remain to be seen, however. He hit .289 (.339 on-base percentage, .417 slugging percentage) with nine home runs and 56 RBIs for Class AAA Round Rock last season. C Jason Castro is one of the Astros' top prospects, and he appears to have the tools, talent and brains to be the starting catcher at some point this season. He hit .293 (362 OBP, .385 slugging) with three homers and 29 RBIs in 63 games with Class AA Corpus Christi in 2009. MEDICAL WATCH: --1B Lance Berkman (left knee contusion) missed the March 4 Grapefruit League opener but returned to play as a DH the next day. --RHP Brandon Lyon (right shoulder weakness) has begun throwing mound sessions as he works to catch up. He began camp two weeks behind schedule. --RHP Roy Oswalt (degenerative back disk) was throwing without discomfort early in spring training. --RHP Jeff Fulchino (ankle) and RHP Casey Daigle (foot) had recovered and were back to full workouts.

--RHP Brandon Lyon began throwing light sessions from the mound in early March without discomfort, giving the Astros reason to believe the race for the closer spot will be under way soon. Lyon entered camp behind schedule after having a cyst in his right shoulder drained in the offseason. "It's felt good," Lyon said. "I'm not 100 percent yet, but I feel I'm getting my strength back." --CF Michael Bourn may have had a breakout 2009, but he's the first to say plenty of work remains. Bourn, who is coming off a Gold Glove season that also saw him lead the National League in stolen bases (61), wants to improve on his bunting and cut down on his strikeouts. "I like to be aggressive," said Bourn, who led the Astros with 140 strikeouts in 2009. "When I'm passive is when I tend to strike out, I feel." --RHP Felipe Paulino, who is competing with veteran Brian Moehler for the No. 5 spot, will be given every opportunity to make the rotation. And the Astros expect the power pitcher to respond. "With the tools he's got, we want him to go out there and grab the bull by the horns," manager Brad Mills said. --2B Kaz Matsui needs a solid spring training if he is to keep his starting spot. Astros brass as well as manager Brad Mills have made it clear they will not hesitate to replace Matsui with Jeff Keppinger or Geoff Blum if he struggles or is unable to stay healthy. That said, Astros GM Ed Wade is convinced the team is at its best with a healthy Matsui in the starting lineup. --LF Carlos Lee missed the first two games of the spring while at the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, where he had 11 entries. Lee, an avid cattle rancher with properties in Texas and his native Panama, cleared the trip with manager Brad Mills at the beginning of spring training. --RHP Bud Norris, the projected No. 4 starter, had his contract renewed at $401,000 by the Astros after failing to agree to terms before the March 3 deadline. Earlier in the week, INF Edwin Maysonet and LHP Wesley Wright agreed to deals worth up to $400,000 and $444,500, respectively. BY THE NUMBERS: 2 -- Home runs, including a three-run blast, hit in an inning by OF Hunter Pence in the March 4 Grapefruit League opener, which the Astros won 15-5 over the Nationals. QUOTE TO NOTE: "I feel like any given day, if I'm on my game, you can throw an All-Star hitting lineup out there and I can shut them down." -- RHP Roy Oswalt.

It could not be spring training for the Astros without an injury scare. The Astros got their first -- and arguably the biggest of all -- when Lance Berkman complained of pain and swelling in his left knee during the first week of March. Berkman, the Astros' biggest bat, was diagnosed with a contusion that forced him to miss a workout and the team's Grapefruit League opener. He was back in uniform March 5, getting two at-bats as the designated hitter against the Tigers. "(The knee) is OK; it's not perfect, but it's definitely playable," Berkman said. "It doesn't necessarily feel a lot better, but when the doctor told me I couldn't hurt it any worse, why not go back out there? "I need to get ready for the season." With Miguel Tejada gone and two prospects vying for starting jobs, the Astros are counting on Berkman to stay healthy and return to All-Star form if the team is to be competitive. Berkman, 34, missed a month last season with a calf injury en route to posting some of his lowest numbers since becoming the Astros' marquee player. "We need to get off to a good start this year, and a big part of that is going to be me being ready on opening day," Berkman said. "So I don't want to miss any time." WHERE: Osceola County Stadium, Kissimmee, Fla. This year marks the Astros' 26th spring training in the town dubbed the "Heart of Florida," which is also home to the Gulf Coast League affiliate. One famous mouse resides nearby. AUTHORITY FIGURES: Brad Mills enters his first spring training as a major league manager after spending the past six seasons as Terry Francona's right-hand man in Boston. He provides the clubhouse with a much-needed breath of fresh air, a leader who comes from a winning organization and an expert communicator. Success this season will depend heavily on pitching, so new pitching coach Brad Arnsberg will have his work cut out.

In his first season as a major league manager, Brad Mills takes over a team that boasts a new third baseman, a rookie shortstop, a weakened bullpen that needs to be sorted out and no clear starter at catcher. The Astros are counting on defense and pitching to help them contend, but a priority has to be finding a way to make up for the loss of Miguel Tejada's offensive contributions. ARRIVALS: RHP Matt Lindstrom (trade with Marlins), 3B Pedro Feliz (free agent from Phillies), RHP Brandon Lyon (free agent from Tigers), RHP Brett Myers (free agent from Phillies), OF Cory Sullivan (minor league free agent from Mets), C Kevin Cash (minor league free agent from Yankees). DEPARTURES: RHP LaTroy Hawkins (free agent, signed with Brewers), C Chris Coste (free agent, signed with Mets), RHP Jose Valverde (free agent, signed with Tigers), SS Miguel Tejada (free agent, signed with Orioles), RHP Doug Brocail (retired), INF Aaron Boone (free agent, retired), INF/OF Darin Erstad (free agent, unsigned), LHP Mike Hampton (free agent, unsigned). SPRING FOCUS: Tops on the Astros' to-do list are sorting out the bullpen, with offseason acquisitions Matt Lindstrom and Brandon Lyon competing for the closer role, and deciding on an everyday catcher. Also worth keeping an eye on is how the bottom of the rotation will shape up, with Brian Moehler and Felipe Paulino likely competing for the No. 5 spot. PROJECTED ROTATION: 1. RHP Roy Oswalt 2. LHP Wandy Rodriguez 3. RHP Brett Myers 4. RHP Bud Norris 5. RHP Brian Moehler The addition of Myers gives the rotation much-needed bite -- and depth. He is a workhorse who can go 200-plus innings when healthy. Oswalt remains the ace, but his back is a major concern. The Astros hope Rodriguez can at least replicate last season's performance that earned him team pitcher of the year honors. RHP Felipe Paulino, who can throw in the triple digits but has had control issues, will challenge Norris (6-3 in 10 starts as a rookie in 2009) and veteran Moehler for one of remaining two spots. But if the Astros want to go the safe route, he will start the year in Class AAA Round Rock. PROJECTED BULLPEN: RHP Matt Lindstrom (closer) RHP Brandon Lyon LHP Tim Byrdak RHP Jeff Fulchino RHP Chris Sampson RHP Alberto Arias Lindstrom and Lyon have big shoes to fill. The bullpen is decidedly weaker without RHPs Jose Valverde and LaTroy Hawkins. Lindstrom and Lyon will compete for the role of closer. Lyon, who was signed to a three-year, $15 million deal, was considered the top candidate for the job, but he will enter spring training at least 10 days behind schedule after having a cyst in his right shoulder drained. That gives Lindstrom an edge. PROJECTED LINEUP: 1. CF Michael Bourn 2. 2B Kaz Matsui 3. LF Carlos Lee 4. 1B Lance Berkman 5. 3B Pedro Feliz 6. RF Hunter Pence 7. SS Tommy Manzella 8. C Humberto Quintero New manager Brad Mills already has a lineup in mind, with its biggest question mark being rookie Manzella, whom Mills describes as an unknown on offense. Bourn is a lock at the top, with Matsui to follow -- provided he stays healthy. Newcomer Pedro Feliz could go fifth behind power hitters Carlos Lee and Lance Berkman; he was acquired for his defensive skills but also for his pop potential. Manzella likely will end up seventh. PROJECTED RESERVES: INF Geoff Blum INF Jeff Keppinger INF Chris Johnson OF Jason Michaels OF Cory Sullivan or OF Brian Bogusevic C J.R. Towles or C Jason Castro Blum, who made 102 appearances at third base in 2009, will be utility infielder. The Astros won't hesitate to put Blum at second if Matsui struggles, and they might use him at third in tandem with Feliz. Sullivan replaces Darin Erstad as the backup left-handed bat in the outfield. Castro and Towles will battle for the backup catcher spot to begin the season, with Castro poised to claim the starting role as the year progresses. TOP ROOKIES: Talk about pressure: SS Tommy Manzella takes over Miguel Tejada's duties, which instantly improves the Astros' defense. Manzella's offensive contributions remain to be seen, however. He hit .289 (.339 on-base percentage, .417 slugging percentage) with nine home runs and 56 RBIs for Class AAA Round Rock last season. C Jason Castro is one of the Astros' top prospects, and he appears to have the tools, talent and brains to be the starting catcher at some point this season. He hit .293 (362 OBP, .385 slugging) with three homers and 29 RBIs in 63 games with Class AA Corpus Christi in 2009. MEDICAL WATCH: --1B Lance Berkman (left knee contusion) missed the March 4 Grapefruit League opener but returned to play as a DH the next day. --RHP Brandon Lyon (right shoulder weakness) has begun throwing mound sessions as he works to catch up. He began camp two weeks behind schedule. --RHP Roy Oswalt (degenerative back disk) was throwing without discomfort early in spring training. --RHP Jeff Fulchino (ankle) and RHP Casey Daigle (foot) had recovered and were back to full workouts.

--RHP Brandon Lyon began throwing light sessions from the mound in early March without discomfort, giving the Astros reason to believe the race for the closer spot will be under way soon. Lyon entered camp behind schedule after having a cyst in his right shoulder drained in the offseason. "It's felt good," Lyon said. "I'm not 100 percent yet, but I feel I'm getting my strength back." --CF Michael Bourn may have had a breakout 2009, but he's the first to say plenty of work remains. Bourn, who is coming off a Gold Glove season that also saw him lead the National League in stolen bases (61), wants to improve on his bunting and cut down on his strikeouts. "I like to be aggressive," said Bourn, who led the Astros with 140 strikeouts in 2009. "When I'm passive is when I tend to strike out, I feel." --RHP Felipe Paulino, who is competing with veteran Brian Moehler for the No. 5 spot, will be given every opportunity to make the rotation. And the Astros expect the power pitcher to respond. "With the tools he's got, we want him to go out there and grab the bull by the horns," manager Brad Mills said. --2B Kaz Matsui needs a solid spring training if he is to keep his starting spot. Astros brass as well as manager Brad Mills have made it clear they will not hesitate to replace Matsui with Jeff Keppinger or Geoff Blum if he struggles or is unable to stay healthy. That said, Astros GM Ed Wade is convinced the team is at its best with a healthy Matsui in the starting lineup. --LF Carlos Lee missed the first two games of the spring while at the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, where he had 11 entries. Lee, an avid cattle rancher with properties in Texas and his native Panama, cleared the trip with manager Brad Mills at the beginning of spring training. --RHP Bud Norris, the projected No. 4 starter, had his contract renewed at $401,000 by the Astros after failing to agree to terms before the March 3 deadline. Earlier in the week, INF Edwin Maysonet and LHP Wesley Wright agreed to deals worth up to $400,000 and $444,500, respectively. BY THE NUMBERS: 2 -- Home runs, including a three-run blast, hit in an inning by OF Hunter Pence in the March 4 Grapefruit League opener, which the Astros won 15-5 over the Nationals. QUOTE TO NOTE: "I feel like any given day, if I'm on my game, you can throw an All-Star hitting lineup out there and I can shut them down." -- RHP Roy Oswalt.

It could not be spring training for the Astros without an injury scare. The Astros got their first -- and arguably the biggest of all -- when Lance Berkman complained of pain and swelling in his left knee during the first week of March. Berkman, the Astros' biggest bat, was diagnosed with a contusion that forced him to miss a workout and the team's Grapefruit League opener. He was back in uniform March 5, getting two at-bats as the designated hitter against the Tigers. "(The knee) is OK; it's not perfect, but it's definitely playable," Berkman said. "It doesn't necessarily feel a lot better, but when the doctor told me I couldn't hurt it any worse, why not go back out there? "I need to get ready for the season." With Miguel Tejada gone and two prospects vying for starting jobs, the Astros are counting on Berkman to stay healthy and return to All-Star form if the team is to be competitive. Berkman, 34, missed a month last season with a calf injury en route to posting some of his lowest numbers since becoming the Astros' marquee player. "We need to get off to a good start this year, and a big part of that is going to be me being ready on opening day," Berkman said. "So I don't want to miss any time." WHERE: Osceola County Stadium, Kissimmee, Fla. This year marks the Astros' 26th spring training in the town dubbed the "Heart of Florida," which is also home to the Gulf Coast League affiliate. One famous mouse resides nearby. AUTHORITY FIGURES: Brad Mills enters his first spring training as a major league manager after spending the past six seasons as Terry Francona's right-hand man in Boston. He provides the clubhouse with a much-needed breath of fresh air, a leader who comes from a winning organization and an expert communicator. Success this season will depend heavily on pitching, so new pitching coach Brad Arnsberg will have his work cut out.

In his first season as a major league manager, Brad Mills takes over a team that boasts a new third baseman, a rookie shortstop, a weakened bullpen that needs to be sorted out and no clear starter at catcher. The Astros are counting on defense and pitching to help them contend, but a priority has to be finding a way to make up for the loss of Miguel Tejada's offensive contributions. ARRIVALS: RHP Matt Lindstrom (trade with Marlins), 3B Pedro Feliz (free agent from Phillies), RHP Brandon Lyon (free agent from Tigers), RHP Brett Myers (free agent from Phillies), OF Cory Sullivan (minor league free agent from Mets), C Kevin Cash (minor league free agent from Yankees). DEPARTURES: RHP LaTroy Hawkins (free agent, signed with Brewers), C Chris Coste (free agent, signed with Mets), RHP Jose Valverde (free agent, signed with Tigers), SS Miguel Tejada (free agent, signed with Orioles), RHP Doug Brocail (retired), INF Aaron Boone (free agent, retired), INF/OF Darin Erstad (free agent, unsigned), LHP Mike Hampton (free agent, unsigned). SPRING FOCUS: Tops on the Astros' to-do list are sorting out the bullpen, with offseason acquisitions Matt Lindstrom and Brandon Lyon competing for the closer role, and deciding on an everyday catcher. Also worth keeping an eye on is how the bottom of the rotation will shape up, with Brian Moehler and Felipe Paulino likely competing for the No. 5 spot. PROJECTED ROTATION: 1. RHP Roy Oswalt 2. LHP Wandy Rodriguez 3. RHP Brett Myers 4. RHP Bud Norris 5. RHP Brian Moehler The addition of Myers gives the rotation much-needed bite -- and depth. He is a workhorse who can go 200-plus innings when healthy. Oswalt remains the ace, but his back is a major concern. The Astros hope Rodriguez can at least replicate last season's performance that earned him team pitcher of the year honors. RHP Felipe Paulino, who can throw in the triple digits but has had control issues, will challenge Norris (6-3 in 10 starts as a rookie in 2009) and veteran Moehler for one of remaining two spots. But if the Astros want to go the safe route, he will start the year in Class AAA Round Rock. PROJECTED BULLPEN: RHP Matt Lindstrom (closer) RHP Brandon Lyon LHP Tim Byrdak RHP Jeff Fulchino RHP Chris Sampson RHP Alberto Arias Lindstrom and Lyon have big shoes to fill. The bullpen is decidedly weaker without RHPs Jose Valverde and LaTroy Hawkins. Lindstrom and Lyon will compete for the role of closer. Lyon, who was signed to a three-year, $15 million deal, was considered the top candidate for the job, but he will enter spring training at least 10 days behind schedule after having a cyst in his right shoulder drained. That gives Lindstrom an edge. PROJECTED LINEUP: 1. CF Michael Bourn 2. 2B Kaz Matsui 3. LF Carlos Lee 4. 1B Lance Berkman 5. 3B Pedro Feliz 6. RF Hunter Pence 7. SS Tommy Manzella 8. C Humberto Quintero New manager Brad Mills already has a lineup in mind, with its biggest question mark being rookie Manzella, whom Mills describes as an unknown on offense. Bourn is a lock at the top, with Matsui to follow -- provided he stays healthy. Newcomer Pedro Feliz could go fifth behind power hitters Carlos Lee and Lance Berkman; he was acquired for his defensive skills but also for his pop potential. Manzella likely will end up seventh. PROJECTED RESERVES: INF Geoff Blum INF Jeff Keppinger INF Chris Johnson OF Jason Michaels OF Cory Sullivan or OF Brian Bogusevic C J.R. Towles or C Jason Castro Blum, who made 102 appearances at third base in 2009, will be utility infielder. The Astros won't hesitate to put Blum at second if Matsui struggles, and they might use him at third in tandem with Feliz. Sullivan replaces Darin Erstad as the backup left-handed bat in the outfield. Castro and Towles will battle for the backup catcher spot to begin the season, with Castro poised to claim the starting role as the year progresses. TOP ROOKIES: Talk about pressure: SS Tommy Manzella takes over Miguel Tejada's duties, which instantly improves the Astros' defense. Manzella's offensive contributions remain to be seen, however. He hit .289 (.339 on-base percentage, .417 slugging percentage) with nine home runs and 56 RBIs for Class AAA Round Rock last season. C Jason Castro is one of the Astros' top prospects, and he appears to have the tools, talent and brains to be the starting catcher at some point this season. He hit .293 (362 OBP, .385 slugging) with three homers and 29 RBIs in 63 games with Class AA Corpus Christi in 2009. MEDICAL WATCH: --RHP Roy Oswalt (degenerative back disk) spent the offseason working on strengthening his lower back in an effort to avoid the type of problems that sidelined him for the final month of the 2009 season. --RHP Brandon Lyon (right shoulder weakness) had a cyst the size of 1 1/2 grapes drained in January. He was back to throwing in early February and reported no discomfort, the team said. --1B Lance Berkman (bruised left knee) was hurt Feb. 28. He is day-to-day.

--1B Lance Berkman's left knee is bruised, but an MRI ruled out a more extensive injury. He was hurt during practice earlier in the week, and he is likely to miss the Astros' Grapefruit League opener on March 4. --RHP Brett Myers has been named the starter for the Astros' spring opener against the Nationals. Myers, who joined the team after eight seasons with the Phillies, said the change of scenery is welcome and was needed for his family. "Houston is a good fit for me," Myers said. --RHP Brandon Lyon headed into the second week of spring training not having thrown a single time off the mound. Lyon, who was signed to a three-year, $15 million contract, is behind schedule after having a cyst in his throwing shoulder drained. --RHP Matt Lindstrom, the hardest-throwing pitcher on the Astros' staff, made clear his goal for the coming season: "I'd love to be the closer," said Lindstrom, who will compete with Brandon Lyon for the spot. Lindstrom began last season as the Marlins' closer before an injury and inconsistency cost him the job. He finished the season splitting time in the setup role. --OF Hunter Pence had to have the windshield of his SUV replaced after a long ball by teammate Chris Johnson smashed it earlier this week. "It's bound to happen," Pence said. "Chris offered to pay for it, but I told him not to worry about it." The bill? About $250. --SS Tommy Manzella, the rookie shortstop penciled in as the replacement for Miguel Tejada, agreed to a split contract worth up to $400,000. RHP Felipe Paulino ($415,000) and LHP Fernando Abad, RHP Wilton Lopez and RHP Henry Villar ($400,000 each) also agreed to split contracts during the first week of spring training. BY THE NUMBERS: 3 -- Pitchers announced for the first three games of the Astros' Grapefruit League schedule. They are Brett Myers, Wandy Rodriguez and Roy Oswalt, in that order. QUOTE TO NOTE: "If they don't pick it up, I'll probably take my ball and go home." -- 1B Lance Berkman, suggesting he would be willing to play elsewhere in 2011 if the Astros decline to pick up his option after this season.