Darin Erstad Joins Astros Bench

The Houston Astros signed a left-handed bat off the bench on Thursday in free agent outfielder Darin Erstad, pictured above, crying.

The 33-year-old, two-time All Star, who was the #1 overall pick in 1995, inked a one-year contract worth $1 million, plus incentives. He batted a career-best .355 with the Los Angeles Angels in 2000 -- a silver slugger year -- but hit just .248 with four homers and 32 RBIs in 87 games with the Chicago White Sox last season.

Erstad remains the only player in the history of the game to win a gold glove as an infielder and outfielder. Sweet!

[Houston Chronicle]

Darin Erstad on the DL

Darin Erstad joined fellow outfielders Scott Podsednik and Pablo Ozuna on the disabled list today with a sprained left ankle, which he injured falling after a big swing-and-a-miss last night.

Luckily for Erstad, his X-rays were returned negative.

Podsednik has been out since April 16th with a strained right abductor and Ozuna went down with a fractured right fibula on May 28th.

Podsednik is to undergo an MRI when the White Sox return to Chicago next Monday and could soon begin a minor league rehab assignment. Ozuna is expected to be out for at least three months.

The Chicago White Sox recalled outfielder Jerry Owens from the AAA Charlotte Knights in Erstad's absence. Owens, who will bat left in the leadoff spot, got the call over Ryan Sweeney for just that reason. The 26-year-old hit .305 with two homers and 16 RBIs in 48 minor league games this season and was tied for the International League lead with 36 runs and second in steals with 23.

[South Side Sox]

Podsednik Out, Erstad In

Perfect timing struck for the Chicago White Sox this week when they reportedly signed lefty outfielder Darin Erstad to a one-year deal with an option for the 2008 season. Pending a physical, Erstad should be around just in time for SoxFest this Friday.

After playing his entire career with the Los Angeles Angels, Darin hit .221 over 95 at-bats in 2006, playing in only 40 games due to a right ankle injury. His best numbers came in 2000 with a .355 average, 25 home runs, 100 RBIs and 240 hits batting in the leadoff spot.

This veteran addition comes at a crucial time for Chicago, since left-fielder Scott Podsednik underwent sports hernia surgery Tuesday and will be out for anywhere from six to eight weeks. The injury, originally from four years earlier when he was with the Milwaukee Brewers, resurfaced recently when Pods kicked his workouts into high gear with Spring Training just around the corner.

If his recovery should cut into the regular season, Erstad would most likely take his place in the line up. Otherwise, he could also challenge Brian Anderson for a starting spot in center field.

[MLB]