30-year old righty reliever Matt Lindstrom took advantage of a injury to Brandon Lyon in spring training as he took over as the closer and he’s not looking back. Lindstrom has pitched in 10 games (0 starts) for the Astros and he is 0-0 with 6 saves, a 2.70 ERA and a 1.40 WHIP. He has 11 whiffs in only 10 innings this season as he has solid stuff and he’s been showing it off so far this year. The Astros needed someone to step up as the closer and Lindstrom definitely has both the stuff and the demeanor to keep a hold of the job all year long which is exactly what the Astros hope he does.

27-year old lefty swinging CF Michael Bourn is trying to build off his breakout 2009 season. He played in 157 games for the Astros last season and he was 173 of 606 (.285 avg, .738 OPS) with 97 runs scored, 3 homers, 35 RBIs and a N.L. leading 61 stolen bases. Still, that was Bourn’s first good season so skeptics remained. But, Bourn is off to a fast start in which he is actually playing at a higher level than he did in 2009 so far. He has played in 17 games for the Astros so far this season and he is 19 of 58 (.328 avg, .831 OPS) with 11 runs scored, 2 RBIs and 8 stolen bases. Bourn is also showing a great eye so far this season as he has 11 walks this year. If Bourn keeps showing great discipline for the Astros he will score more than 100 runs and he will steal around 75 bases if he can stay healthy.

The Astros have placed 25-year old righty swinging 3B Chris Johnson on the 15-day disabled list with a strained right intercostal muscle. Johnson has played in 8 games for the Astros so far this season and he is 5 for 22 (.227 avg, .545 OPS) with 4 runs scored, 1 triple and 2 RBIs. His main problem with the Astros so far this season has been making contact as he has whiffed 8 times already this season. Johnson is the #16 rated prospect in the Astros’ minor league system coming into this season according to Baseball America. The Astros will likely send him on a lengthy rehab assignment when he is ready to play again.

The Astros are off to a 3-9 start this season which has them in last place in the N.L. Central, 5 games behind the Cardinals. The Astros have been outscored 58-27 this season as they just can’t hit the ball right now. With Lance Berkman returning tomorrow maybe he will give the offense a shot in the arm. The Astros have six home games this week playing 3 against the Marlins and the Pirates.

32-year old righty reliever Chris Sampson is off to a good start for the Astros this season. He has pitched in 7 games for the Astros this season and he is 0-0 with a 1.17 ERA and a 1.04 WHIP. He has only allowed 5 hits in 7 2/3 innings for the Astros as he is pitching some of the best baseball of his major league career right now and they need him to keep up the good work.