|

2011 – X-rays reveal that shortstop Clint Barmes has a broken left hand after it was hit the night before in an exhibition game against the Yankees. The initial diagnosis is 4-to-6 weeks of healing needed, which will cause him to miss the first month of the season. 

ByTom

2011 – X-rays reveal that shortstop Clint Barmes has a broken left hand after it was hit the night before in an exhibition game against the Yankees. The initial diagnosis is 4-to-6 weeks of healing needed, which will cause him to miss the first month of the season. 

|

1987 – A sign of things to come. Astros lose their home spring opener to Montreal, 19-3. Bob Knepper and Jeff Heathcock are knocked silly before the bullpen comes to the rescue. Five Houston errors worsen the mood. Knepper would slump from a 17-12 1986 season to 8-17 the next year, his ERA climbing by over two runs. 

ByTom

1987 – A sign of things to come. Astros lose their home spring opener to Montreal, 19-3. Bob Knepper and Jeff Heathcock are knocked silly before the bullpen comes to the rescue. Five Houston errors worsen the mood. Knepper would slump from a 17-12 1986 season to 8-17 the next year, his ERA climbing by over two runs. 

|

1978 – Rodrigo Rosario is born in La Romana, DR. The slender Dominican righthander wins his 2003 big league debut in memorable fashion but lands on the DL after injuring himself in his second start. 

ByTom

1978 – Rodrigo Rosario is born in La Romana, DR. The slender Dominican righthander wins his 2003 big league debut in memorable fashion but lands on the DL after injuring himself in his second start. 

|

2010 – Brad Mills’ managerial debut is a 15-5 Astros victory over a split squad of Washington Nationals. Hunter Pence gives the new skipper a happy send-off with two homers in the fourth inning during a nine-run frame which turned the momentum. 

ByTom

2010 – Brad Mills’ managerial debut is a 15-5 Astros victory over a split squad of Washington Nationals. Hunter Pence gives the new skipper a happy send-off with two homers in the fourth inning during a nine-run frame which turned the momentum. 

|

1966 – Andy Mota is born in Santo Domingo, DR. A September call-up during the 1991 season, the second baseman bats .189 in 27 games. His father Manny Mota was with the Houston franchise in the spring of 1963 but was traded before the regular season began.

ByTom

1966 – Andy Mota is born in Santo Domingo, DR. A September call-up during the 1991 season, the second baseman bats .189 in 27 games. His father Manny Mota was with the Houston franchise in the spring of 1963 but was traded before the regular season began.

The Nationals trade reliever Tyler Clippard to Oakland for SS Yunel Escobar, who joined the A’s a few days ago in the trade for Ben Zobrist.

ByTom

The Nationals trade reliever Tyler Clippard to Oakland for SS Yunel Escobar, who joined the A’s a few days ago in the trade for Ben Zobrist.

Derek Holland of the Texas Rangers tosses a five-hitter for the second shutout of his career in beating Cleveland, 4 – 0. Josh Hamilton and Nelson Cruz both hit two-run homers for the winners, who are 15-8 since May 10th.

ByTom

Derek Holland of the Texas Rangers tosses a five-hitter for the second shutout of his career in beating Cleveland, 4 – 0. Josh Hamilton and Nelson Cruz both hit two-run homers for the winners, who are 15-8 since May 10th.

In the first amateur draft to be televised nationally, the Tampa Bay Devil Rays take David Price of Vanderbilt University first overall. He is followed by high school star Mike Moustakas by the Kansas City Royals.

ByTom

In the first amateur draft to be televised nationally, the Tampa Bay Devil Rays take David Price of Vanderbilt University first overall. He is followed by high school star Mike Moustakas by the Kansas City Royals.

Herb Chapman of Gadsden (Southeastern League) goes hitless, ending his 42-game hitting streak‚ the 9th longest streak ever recorded in the minor leagues. During the streak he hit .366.

ByTom

Herb Chapman of Gadsden (Southeastern League) goes hitless, ending his 42-game hitting streak‚ the 9th longest streak ever recorded in the minor leagues. During the streak he hit .366.