HOUSTON (AP) -The Houston Astros signed right-handed reliever LaTroy Hawkins to a one-year, $3.5 million deal Friday and plan to use him in a setup role.
The Astros acquired Hawkins from the New York Yankees on July 30, and he did not allow a run in his first 22 relief appearances with Houston.
The 35-year-old Hawkins worked primarily as the setup man for closer Jose Valverde, and went 2-0 with an 0.43 ERA in 24 appearances (21 innings) for the Astros. Hawkins was 3-1 with a 3.92 ERA in 57 appearances overall.
“Bringing him in here gives us some real certainty in the eighth inning,” Astros general manager Ed Wade.
The Astros also signed pitcher Chia-Jen Lo to a minor league contract, making the 22-year-old righty the franchise’s first Taiwanese player.
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The Astros pursued Hawkins to take pressure off 41-year-old Doug Brocail, who led the team with 47 relief appearances before the All-Star break. Brocail became a free agent after the season and Wade said Astros are negotiating to re-sign him.
“We were really concerned that we were going to wear him out sooner rather than later,” Wade said. “When I talked to (Yankees general manager) Brian Cashman, he indicated that LaTroy was available. It just made sense, because he had that eighth-inning experience. We never expected it to be quite as profound as it was.”
The Astros’ bullpen had a 26-23 record in 2008 and ranked 13th in the majors with a 4.02 ERA.
“Bullpen strength is a big plus,” Wade said. “To have an experienced guy like LaTroy back in uniform with us is a step in the right direction.”
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