http://mlb.mlb.com HOU Homepage News Wed, 22 May 2013 04:32:22 EDT http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20130521&content_id=48204668&notebook_id=48235492&vkey=notebook_hou&c_id=hou Tue, 21 May 2013 22:56:20 EDT http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20130521&content_id=48204668&notebook_id=48235492&vkey=notebook_hou&c_id=hou Astros ace Bud Norris left Tuesday's game against the Kansas City Royals due to tightness in his back. Norris blanked the Royals through six innings, allowing five hits, no runs and striking out two. Brian McTaggart and Chris Abshire http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20130521&content_id=48204668&notebook_id=48206280&vkey=notebook_hou&c_id=hou Tue, 21 May 2013 20:23:17 EDT http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20130521&content_id=48204668&notebook_id=48206280&vkey=notebook_hou&c_id=hou The devastation from Monday's tornado that ripped through Moore, Okla., hit close to home for the Astros' Triple-A affiliate from Oklahoma City, and manager Tony DeFrancesco's team wants to help out. Brian McTaggart and Chris Abshire http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20130521&content_id=48204668&notebook_id=48206278&vkey=notebook_hou&c_id=hou Tue, 21 May 2013 20:23:14 EDT http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20130521&content_id=48204668&notebook_id=48206278&vkey=notebook_hou&c_id=hou A decorated member of the Astros' past and one of the men tasked with scouting the franchise's future will help usher in the next crop of Houston Astros, as Jose Cruz and Oz Ocampo will represent the Astros at the MLB First-Year Player Draft. Brian McTaggart and Chris Abshire http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/gameday/index.jsp?gid=2013_05_22_kcamlb_houmlb_1&mode=preview&vkey=preview_web_home&c_id=hou Wed, 22 May 2013 01:10:37 EDT http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/gameday/index.jsp?gid=2013_05_22_kcamlb_houmlb_1&mode=preview&vkey=preview_web_home&c_id=hou The story for James Shields has been mostly the same lately, as he pitches well but doesn't get run support. The Royals will have a chance to flip the script and reward Shields with a win Wednesday night against Jordan Lyles and the Astros at Minute Maid Park. Adam Berry http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/gameday/index.jsp?gid=2013_05_21_kcamlb_houmlb_1&mode=recap_home&c_id=hou Wed, 22 May 2013 01:30:42 EDT http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/gameday/index.jsp?gid=2013_05_21_kcamlb_houmlb_1&mode=recap_home&c_id=hou Jimmy Paredes crushed a three-run shot, but Bud Norris left with an injury after six scoreless innings and the bullpen surrendered the lead in the eighth as the Astros fell, 7-3, on Tuesday. Brian McTaggart http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20130521&content_id=48192584&vkey=news_hou&c_id=hou Tue, 21 May 2013 17:26:32 EDT http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20130521&content_id=48192584&vkey=news_hou&c_id=hou The Astros Foundation plans to raise funds during the team's current homestand in an effort to aid those affected by Monday's tornado in Moore, Okla. Zack Meisel http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20130521&content_id=48188424&vkey=news_hou&c_id=hou Tue, 21 May 2013 21:20:47 EDT http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20130521&content_id=48188424&vkey=news_hou&c_id=hou The Astros are appointing a familiar face to a new role, as the team has made Larry Dierker a special assistant to the team president. Brian McTaggart http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20130520&content_id=48092524&notebook_id=48093082&vkey=notebook_hou&c_id=hou Mon, 20 May 2013 18:35:00 EDT http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20130520&content_id=48092524&notebook_id=48093082&vkey=notebook_hou&c_id=hou Astros second baseman Jose Altuve recently left agent Scott Boras and signed with Scott Pucino and Wil Polidor of Octagon -- the agency that originally represented him before he switched to Boras about a year ago. Brian McTaggart http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20130520&content_id=48092524&notebook_id=48093080&vkey=notebook_hou&c_id=hou Mon, 20 May 2013 18:34:57 EDT http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20130520&content_id=48092524&notebook_id=48093080&vkey=notebook_hou&c_id=hou Astros outfielder Justin Maxwell, who's been out nearly a month with a fractured left hand, is no longer wearing a brace and continues to make good progress. He hit 15 balls off a tee on Monday and took 30 more swings from soft toss. Brian McTaggart http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20130520&content_id=48092972&vkey=news_hou&c_id=hou Mon, 20 May 2013 20:20:32 EDT http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20130520&content_id=48092972&vkey=news_hou&c_id=hou Monday, the first official day on the job for new Astros president of business operations Reid Ryan, included mundane tasks like getting the keys to the building, finding his office and getting his computer set up. He also wasted no time in rolling up his sleeves and getting his hands dirty. Brian McTaggart http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/gameday/index.jsp?gid=2013_05_20_kcamlb_houmlb_1&mode=recap_home&c_id=hou Tue, 21 May 2013 00:45:00 EDT http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/gameday/index.jsp?gid=2013_05_20_kcamlb_houmlb_1&mode=recap_home&c_id=hou Astros third baseman Matt Dominguez started a terrific double play in the sixth inning and belted a decisive three-run homer to help the Astros earn a 6-5 win over the Royals on Monday night in the series opener at Minute Maid Park. Brian McTaggart http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/gameday/index.jsp?gid=2013_05_19_houmlb_pitmlb_1&mode=recap_away&c_id=hou Sun, 19 May 2013 17:29:51 EDT http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/gameday/index.jsp?gid=2013_05_19_houmlb_pitmlb_1&mode=recap_away&c_id=hou With an effective sinker, Lucas Harrell held the Pirates to four hits and one run in seven innings Sunday afternoon, but the Pirates made a fifth-inning home run by Pedro Alvarez stand up for a 1-0 win over the Astros at PNC Park. Brian McTaggart http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20130519&content_id=47986054&notebook_id=47987532&vkey=notebook_hou&c_id=hou Sun, 19 May 2013 13:59:46 EDT http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20130519&content_id=47986054&notebook_id=47987532&vkey=notebook_hou&c_id=hou Astros infielder Ronny Cedeno was scratched from the starting lineup Sunday with sinus problems and a stomach virus. That forced Marwin Gonzalez into action as the starting shortstop, even though he's nursing a sore back from a collision in Saturday's game. Brian McTaggart http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20130519&content_id=47986054&notebook_id=47986774&vkey=notebook_hou&c_id=hou Sun, 19 May 2013 13:48:36 EDT http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20130519&content_id=47986054&notebook_id=47986774&vkey=notebook_hou&c_id=hou Astros owner Jim Crane and general manager Jeff Luhnow attended Saturday's and Sunday's games against the Pirates at PNC Park in a surprise trip that came about after both men scouted the University of North Carolina's game against Virginia in Chapel Hill, N.C., earlier Saturday. Brian McTaggart http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20130519&content_id=47986054&notebook_id=47986058&vkey=notebook_hou&c_id=hou Sun, 19 May 2013 13:30:20 EDT http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20130519&content_id=47986054&notebook_id=47986058&vkey=notebook_hou&c_id=hou Astros top prospect Jonathan Singleton, who is nearing the end of his 50-game suspension after violating the Minor League Drug Prevention and Treatment Program for a drug of abuse -- his second positive test -- will begin his season sometime next week at Class A Quad Cities before moving to Triple-A Oklahoma City, general manager Jeff Luhnow said Sunday. Brian McTaggart http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/gameday/index.jsp?gid=2013_05_18_houmlb_pitmlb_1&mode=recap_away&c_id=hou Sun, 19 May 2013 00:48:37 EDT http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/gameday/index.jsp?gid=2013_05_18_houmlb_pitmlb_1&mode=recap_away&c_id=hou Catcher Jason Castro scored the game-winner when he slid past the tag attempt of Pirates catcher Russell Martin on a fielder's choice by Matt Dominguez to give the Astros a hard-fought 4-2 win at PNC Park. Brian McTaggart http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20130518&content_id=47921802&notebook_id=47926510&vkey=notebook_hou&c_id=hou Sat, 18 May 2013 20:07:32 EDT http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20130518&content_id=47921802&notebook_id=47926510&vkey=notebook_hou&c_id=hou The Astros will hold the first of four regional workouts of high school and college players on Sunday in anticipation of next month's First-Year Player Draft. Sunday's workout will be held in the Los Angeles area, with about 20 prospects invited to attend. Brian McTaggart http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20130518&content_id=47921802&notebook_id=47925570&vkey=notebook_hou&c_id=hou Sat, 18 May 2013 20:01:22 EDT http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20130518&content_id=47921802&notebook_id=47925570&vkey=notebook_hou&c_id=hou Astros second baseman Jose Altuve was in the starting lineup for Saturday's game against the Pirates, marking his first action since Monday's game in Detroit. Brian McTaggart http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20130518&content_id=47921802&notebook_id=47924350&vkey=notebook_hou&c_id=hou Sat, 18 May 2013 19:53:03 EDT http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20130518&content_id=47921802&notebook_id=47924350&vkey=notebook_hou&c_id=hou Had the Astros had their full complement of players on Friday, Jimmy Paredes wouldn't have even been in the game in the ninth inning. Paredes committed an error when he collided with second baseman Jake Elmore and caused him to drop the ball, allowing the Pirates to score the winning run. Brian McTaggart http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20130518&content_id=47921802&notebook_id=47922136&vkey=notebook_hou&c_id=hou Sat, 18 May 2013 19:42:22 EDT http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20130518&content_id=47921802&notebook_id=47922136&vkey=notebook_hou&c_id=hou Astros bench coach Eduardo Perez and first-base coach Dave Clark both had conversations with outfielder Jimmy Paredes on Saturday, a day after he crashed into teammate Jake Elmore and forced him to drop a ball that allowed the Pirates to score the winning run in the ninth inning. Brian McTaggart http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20130518&content_id=47889994&vkey=news_hou&c_id=hou Sat, 18 May 2013 12:35:00 EDT http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20130518&content_id=47889994&vkey=news_hou&c_id=hou The Astros celebrated the opening of three youth baseball fields on Saturday in southeast Houston, part of the team's charity mission to promote the sport in disadvantaged areas of the city. Ben DuBose http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/gameday/index.jsp?gid=2013_05_17_houmlb_pitmlb_1&mode=recap_away&c_id=hou Sat, 18 May 2013 01:25:50 EDT http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/gameday/index.jsp?gid=2013_05_17_houmlb_pitmlb_1&mode=recap_away&c_id=hou Astros right fielder Jimmy Paredes crashed into second baseman Jake Elmore just as the ball was about to hit his glove, knocking him and the ball to the ground and allowing the winning run to score from third base and give the Pirates a stunning 5-4 win at PNC Park on Friday. Brian McTaggart http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20130517&content_id=47816094&vkey=news_hou&c_id=hou Fri, 17 May 2013 20:27:13 EDT http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20130517&content_id=47816094&vkey=news_hou&c_id=hou There have been no shortage of good things said about Reid Ryan, introduced Friday as the Astros president of business operations, from those who know him well. Brian McTaggart http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20130517&content_id=47813670&vkey=news_hou&c_id=hou Fri, 17 May 2013 19:49:27 EDT http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20130517&content_id=47813670&vkey=news_hou&c_id=hou Nolan Ryan spoke as a proud parent. He spoke as a baseball man, too. He thought Astros owner Jim Crane got it right in naming his oldest son, Reid Ryan, 41, the team's president of business operations on Friday. Richard Justice http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20130517&content_id=47811850&vkey=news_hou&c_id=hou Fri, 17 May 2013 19:10:30 EDT http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20130517&content_id=47811850&vkey=news_hou&c_id=hou Reid Ryan represents a connection to the Astros' past while offering an enthusiastic vision for its future. He's Hall of Famer Nolan Ryan's oldest son, and that means plenty around these parts. Richard Justice http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20130517&content_id=47811616&notebook_id=47811730&vkey=notebook_hou&c_id=hou Fri, 17 May 2013 18:28:33 EDT http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20130517&content_id=47811616&notebook_id=47811730&vkey=notebook_hou&c_id=hou Righty Bud Norris, who left his most recent start, Monday in Detroit, with lower back spasms, could have taken his normal turn in the rotation on Sunday, but Astros manager Bo Porter decided to give him two extra days and push him back until Tuesday at home against the Royals. Brian McTaggart http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20130517&content_id=47811616&notebook_id=47811728&vkey=notebook_hou&c_id=hou Fri, 17 May 2013 18:28:30 EDT http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20130517&content_id=47811616&notebook_id=47811728&vkey=notebook_hou&c_id=hou Outfielder Robbie Grossman, who was acquired by the Astros in last year's trade that sent Wandy Rodriguez to the Pirates, was drafted in the sixth round by the Pirates in 2008 out of Cy-Fair High School in Houston and spent four years in the Pirates organization, reaching Double-A Altoona last year. Brian McTaggart http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20130517&content_id=47811616&notebook_id=47811726&vkey=notebook_hou&c_id=hou Fri, 17 May 2013 18:28:27 EDT http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20130517&content_id=47811616&notebook_id=47811726&vkey=notebook_hou&c_id=hou All-Star second baseman Jose Altuve will be in Saturday's lineup against the Pirates after missing three games on the bereavement list following the death of his grandmother in Venezuela. Brian McTaggart http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20130517&content_id=47810940&vkey=news_hou&c_id=hou Fri, 17 May 2013 18:15:50 EDT http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20130517&content_id=47810940&vkey=news_hou&c_id=hou Astros owner Jim Crane has a long-term vision to someday take over ownership of the majority of the Astros' Minor League affiliates. While there are no guarantees he will attain that lofty goal, he can check one off the list: Double-A Corpus Christi. Alyson Footer http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20130517&content_id=47795118&vkey=news_hou&c_id=hou Fri, 17 May 2013 17:32:26 EDT http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20130517&content_id=47795118&vkey=news_hou&c_id=hou The news conference to introduce Reid Ryan as president of business operations of the Houston Astros on Friday was technically labeled as "introductory," but in essence, the 41-year-old offspring of a Texas baseball legend already knew half of the people in the room. Alyson Footer