The Astros have signed 29-year old switch-hitting catcher Landon Powell to a minor league deal. Powell played in 36 games for the A’s last year and he was 19 of 111 (.171 avg, .471 OPS) with 10 runs scored, 1 homer and 4 RBIs. He has now played in 123 games in his first three years in the majors and he is 75 of 363 (.207 avg, .612 OPS) with 42 runs scored, 10 homers, 45 RBIs and 1 stolen base. This was a good move for the Astros as Powell might be able to help them fill the black hole at catcher at some point in 2012.

The Houston Astros have signed 29-year old righty swinging outfielder Justin Ruggiano to a minor league deal. He played in 46 games for the Rays last year and he was 26 for 105 (.248 avg, .673 OPS) with 11 runs scored, 4 homers, 13 RBIs and 1 stolen base. Ruggiano has now played in 98 games in his first three years in the majors and he was 44 for 195 (.226 avg, .621 OPS) with 22 runs scored, 6 homers, 23 RBIs and 3 stolen bases. Ruggiano will get to compete for a job on the Astros’ bench this spring.

The Astros have signed 33-year old righty swinging 1B/3B Mike Hessman to a minor league deal. Hessman played in 48 games in Japan last year and he was 25 for 130 (.192 avg, .637 OPS) with 9 runs scored, 6 homers and 14 RBIs. He last played in the majors back in 2010 with the New York Mets. Hessman has played in 109 games in his first five years in the majors and he is 42 for 223 (.188 avg, .694 OPS) with 29 runs scored, 14 homers and 33 RBIs. He has also whiffed 79 times already in his major league career as he has some pretty big holes in his swing. That being said, Hessman will get a shot to compete for a bench job this spring.

The Astros have signed 36-year old righty starting pitcher Livan Hernandez to a minor league deal. He pitched in 29 games (all starts) for the Nationals last year and he was 8-13 with a 4.47 ERA and a 1.40 WHIP. Hernandez has now pitched in 476 games (474 starts) in his first 16 years in the majors and he is 174-176 with a 4.39 ERA and a 1.44 WHIP. Hernandez will enter the battle to be the Astros’ #5 starter in 2012 this spring.

UPDATE: (3/30/2012) - The Astros have released Livan Hernandez. He was quickly signed by the Braves.

The Astros have signed 28-year old lefty starter/reliever Zach Duke to a minor league deal. Duke pitched in 21 games (9 starts) for the Diamondbacks last year and he was 3-4 with 1 save, a 4.93 ERA and a 1.57 WHIP. He has now pitched in 181 games (168 starts) in his first 7 years in the majors and he is 48-74 with 1 save, a 4.56 ERA and a 1.49 WHIP. Duke will likely have a good chance of making the Astros’ pitching staff this spring, but he role would be up in the air as he can start or relieve.

UPDATE: (3/27/2012) - The Astros have released Zach Duke.