Rumors: Astros Agree With RP Joe Thatcher

Reports are coming out Twitter that the Houston Astros have agreed to a minor league deal with left-handed relief pitcher Joe Thatcher.

The club has yet to confirm.

Thatcher, 33, has pitched in eight seasons at the Major League level, posting a 3.40 ERA in 238 innings. He spent most of his career with the San Diego Padres, but also some time with the Arizona Diamondbacks and, most recently, the Los Angeles Angels.

According to Cotillo, “Thatcher will earn $1 million if he makes the major-league roster with an additional $2.3 million available in incentives, and can opt out of the contract if he is not on the team’s active roster five days before Opening Day.”

The addition of Thatcher could be another piece in the revamped bullpen for the Astros. You have to give Jeff Luhnow credit for doing everything he can to ensure that Houston’s most glaring weakness from 2014 will not be so in the coming year.

The reports out of Kissimmee in the coming weeks should keep you tuned in.