» Manzella, Astros come to terms as camp opens Mark Maloney on Kentucky sports

Manzella, Astros come to terms as camp opens

The Houston Astros announced Saturday that the club has agreed to terms on a one-year deal with SS Tommy Manzella.

Manzella is the fifth player with past ties to the Lexington Legends — South Atlantic League affiliate of the Astros — to come to terms in the last three days. He joins OF Brian Bogusevic, RHP Chris Sampson, IF Drew Sutton and C J.R. Towles.

Tommy Manzella

Manzella, 25, agreed to a deal with a corresponding Major League value of $400,000. He hit .259 (117-for-452) while splitting last season between Double-A Corpus Christi and Triple-A Round Rock. He was named a Texas League All-Star and earned Defensive Player of the Month awards with both the Hooks (April) and Express (August). A third-round draft pick out of Tulane in 2005, he was a non-roster invitee to big-league training camp last year, going 6-for-19 (.316) in 11 games with the Astros.

* Astros pitchers and catchers had their first spring training workout Saturday at the Osceola County Stadium complex in Kissimmee, Fla. Of 35 players due Saturday, only RHP Jose Capellan did not show, due to a travel delay. All 27 pitchers in camp threw a 15-minute bullpen session.

The first full-squad workout is scheduled for Tuesday. Grapefruit League play begins Feb. 25, against the Washington Nationals at Kissimmee. Houston’s first road game in Florida will be Feb. 26, at Orlando, against the Atlanta Braves.

The Astros will finish pre-season work with a pair of exhibitions at Houston, April 3, vs. the Cleveland Indians. Houston opens the regular season at home, April 6 against the Chicago Cubs.

* Cincinnati Reds pitchers and catchers also reported Saturday, at the City of Sarasota (Fla.) Sports Complex Of 37 players due, only C Humberto Cota was absent. He is en route from Mexico. Position players are due Tuesday.

* Thanks to Sally Gunter of the Astros and Rob Butcher of the Reds for providing information for this entry.