Astros decline option on Brocail Houston, TX (Sports Network) - The Houston Astros have declined their 2009
option, valued at $3.25 million, on workhorse reliever Doug Brocail on
Wednesday.
Brocail, 41, was 7-5 with a 3.93 earned run average and two saves in a career-
high 72 appearances for the Astros in 2008. He struck out 64 and walked 21 in
68 2/3 innings, limiting opposing hitters to a .242 average, including holding
right-handed hitters to a .200 clip.
Brocail pitched in 47 games before the All-Star Break in 2008, one away from
tying the franchise record of 48 first-half appearances set by ... More...
Brandon Backe has been arrested early Sunday morning (along with at least a half-dozen bystanders) after a fight broke out in Galveston, according to MLB.com. Backe was accused of resisting arrest, search and transportation by using force against an officer. He was released on bail and released the same day. The Astros stated, "We're aware of an incident involving Brandon. We have spoken with him regarding his his version of the event. Seeing this is a legal matter, any further comment on our part would be inappropriate."
Team GM Ed Wade indicated that there is a chance Kazuo Matsui could have surgery in the off-season to repair a disc in his lower back, according to the Houston Chronicle.