Former Cardinals pitcher, converted outfielder Rick Ankiel signed a minor league contract with the Houston Astros with an invitation to spring training.
The 33-year-old outfielder batted .228 with five homers and 15 RBIs in 68 games with the Washington Nationals last season. Ankiel a .244 batting average with 69 home runs and 233 RBIs in 10 major league seasons with St. Louis, Kansas City, Atlanta and Washington.