SPLIT SQUAD: The Astros will have a split squad this afternoon for the first time this Spring...they are hosting the Washington Nationals at home and are traveling to Jupiter to face the St. Louis Cardinals on the road...Houston is also scheduled to play split squad games on 3/16 (vs. BOS/at NYY) and 3/21(vs. NYM/at BOS).

TODAY VS. WASHINGTON: RHP Bud Norris makes his second start of the Spring this morning while LHP Scott Olsen gets the nod for the Nationals...Norris allowed a run in 2.0 innings of work in his first start on 3/8 vs. TOR...other Astros pitchers who are scheduled to pitch at home today: RHP Matt Lindstrom, RHP Jeff Fulchino, RHP Sammy Gervacio, RHP Shane Loux, RHP Yorman Bazardo, RHP Roy Corcoran, RHP Chris Sampson.

TODAY AT ST. LOUIS: RHP Felip Paulino will make his first official start of the Spring today in Jupiter vs. the Cardinals..Paulino has made one appearance this Spring in relief on 3/10 vs. FLA (1.0 IP, 2 ER)...Paulino also started in a B-Game vs. DET on 3/4, allowing a run in two innings of work...other Astros pitchers scheduled to pitch in Jupiter today: LHP Wesley Wright, LHP Polin Trinidad, LHP Fernando Abad, RHP Henry Villar, RHP Gary Majewksi, RHP Chia-Jen Lo.

BERKMAN SURGERY: Lance Berkman underwent arthroscopic surgery on his left knee this morning at the Florida Hospital in Kissimmee, FL...during the procedure, Dr. David Crumbie removed loose cartilage debris from the knee, and did not see any indication of ligament or meniscus damage...Berkman will begin his exercise rehab program today and is expected to be out of action for approximately 2-4 weeks.

VS. THE NATS: Today is the second of three games vs. Washington this Spring...the Astros defeated the Nationals in Houston’s Home Opener, 15-5 on 3/4...the two clubs will play their final game of the Spring on St. Patrick’s Day (3/17) in Kissimmee.

VS. THE CARDS: Today is the first of two scheduled meetings between the Astros and division-rival Cardinals...the other matchup will be on 3/22 in Kissimmee.

RAIN, RAIN, GO AWAY!: Yesterday, the Astros were rained out on the road for the second consecutive day...the rains cancelled both yesterday’s game vs. TOR at Dunedin and Thursday’s game vs. WSH in Viera.

GETTING THEIR WORK IN: After returning from Dunedin following yesterday’s cancellation, several Astros pitchers took the mound in the batting cage here at the complex in Kissimmee...yesterday’s scheduled starter RHP Brian Moehler threw the equivalent of 3.0 innings...he faced live hitters, throwing 61 pitches...he was followed by LHP Gustavo Chacin (2 IP), RHP Casey Daigle (1 IP), RHP Jose Valdez (1 IP), RHP Wilton Lopez (1 IP) and RHP Evan Englebrook (1 IP).

WHO’S HOT?: The Astros currently have five players hitting .500 or above (min. 10 AB): Geoff Blum (.538, 7x13), JR Towles, (.533, 8x15), Jason Castro (.500, 6x12), Edwin Maysonet (.500, 5x10) and Pedro Feliz (.500, 7x14).

MEDICAL UPDATE: RHP Alberto Arias had his right shoulder examined yesterday by Dr. David Lintner...Dr. Lintner reported that Arias has shoulder inflammation and will not throw for two days, after which he will be re-examined...Arias left Tuesday’s game vs. the Mets in Port St. Lucie with discomfort in his right shoulder...RHP Brandon Lyon faced live hitters for the first time this Spring on Friday morning, throwing 25 pitches without any problems...Lyon, who had a small cyst in his right shoulder drained in January, has not pitched in a game this Spring.

UPCOMING PITCHERS
--March 14 vs. Atlanta: Starter - RHP Brett Myers...Relievers (tentative) - LHP Tim Byrdak, RHP Roy Corcoran, RHP Wilton Lopez, RHP Jose Valdez, RHP Evan Englebrook.
--March 16 (SS) vs. Boston: Starter - RHP Roy Oswalt...Relievers TBA.
at NYY: Starter - RHP Brian Moehler...Relievers TBA.

ASTROS ANNOUNCE FANFEST DETAILS: On Friday, April 2 and Saturday, April 3, the Houston Astros will hold 2010 Astros FanFest with all proceeds benefitting the Astros in Action Foundation. FanFest will take place at Minute Maid Park throughout the main concourse and will feature autograph sessions with the current roster of players along with several former Astros...Friday’s activities will take place during the game between the Astros and Blue Jays and on Saturday, FanFest will begin at 9:00 a.m. and will end at the conclusion of the exhibition game...admission to FanFest is free with the purchase of a game ticket.

SATELLITE INFORMATION: The next Astros satellite feed is scheduled for Tuesday, March 16...the feeds will run from 4:30-4:45 pm (CT), and the coordinates for all Spring Training satellite feeds are Satellite: AMC 5 (KU-digital), transponder 8, Channel C; Downlink frequency: 11930.5 horizontal; Symbol rate: 3.9787; Data rate: 5.5; FEC: 3/4...the remaining scheduled dates are: March 16, 19, 26, 30; April 1...for questions or problems, contact Mark Bournes (561-352-0255) or Mark Lieb (845-721-0397)...please note that additional dates may be added.

ON THE BOARDWALK: Astros pitching coach Brad Arnsberg is tentatively scheduled as the guest for next week’s Astroline show on March 17, which is being broadcast live each Wednesday in March from the ESPN Club located on the Disney Boardwalk in Florida...the “King of Baseball” and Hall of Fame broadcaster Milo Hamilton hosts the weekly show...it is open to the public, and listeners are invited to call into the show at 713-212-5874 which is aired by KTRH 740 AM...fans may also send questions to Alyson Footer via Twitter at http://twitter.com/alysonfooter...Astroline is streamed live at www.astros.com, and archived broadcasts from this season’s shows are also available at www.astros.com.

UPCOMING SCHEDULE AND PROBABLE PITCHING MATCHUPS (ALL TIMES EASTERN)
Date Time Opponent Pitchers Radio/Television
Sun., Mar. 14 1:05 vs. Atlanta RHP Brett Myers (1-0, 7.20) vs. RHP Kenshin Kawakami (0-0, 3.60) KTRH 740/none
Mon., Mar. 15 Scheduled Off Day
Tue, Mar. 16 (SS) 1:05 vs. Boston RHP Roy Oswalt (0-0, 0.00) vs. LHP Jon Lester (0-1, 9.82) KBME 790/none
7:05 at NYY RHP Brian Moehler (0-0, 4.50) vs. TBA none
2010 Spring Training/Grapefruit League
(SS) Houston Astros (3-4) vs. Washington Nationals (0-8)
at St. Louis Cardinals (3-5)
Oscela County Stadium, Kissimmee, FL • Saturday, March 13, 2010 • 1:05 p.m. (ET)
RHP Bud Norris (0-1, 4.50) vs. LHP Scott Olsen (0-1, 13.50)
TODAY’S SCHEDULED PITCHERS (vs. Washington):
-RHP #20 Bud Norris: Making his second start this Spring...allowed a run on two hits in 2.0 innings of work in his first start on 3/8 vs. TOR...was Pacific Coast League Pitcher of the Year in 2009 while at Round Rock (AAA) after posting a league-best 2.63 ERA, despite a 4-9 record...was called up on 7/29...posted 6-3 record in 11 appearances (10 starts) for Houston with a 4.53 ERA.
-RHP #22 Matt Lindstrom: Today will be his third appearance of the Spring; hurled 2.0 scoreless innings in his last appearance, 3/9 at NYM...acquired by HOU via trade with FLA during the winter meetings in December...has 8-8 record in 191 career relief appearances with a 3.88 ERA with 20 saves.
-RHP #47 Jeff Fulchino: Today will be his third appearance of the Spring...hurled a scoreless inning on 3/8 vs. TOR in his last appearances...Astros Rookie of the Year in 2009 after posting 6-4 mark in 61 appearances with a 3.40 ERA...led club in relief wins and innings (82.0).
-RHP #63 Sammy Gervacio: Today will be his fourth appearance of the Spring...hurled a scoreless inning in relief on 3/9 at NYM...began ‘09 season with Round Rock (AAA), but finished with the big club, posting a 1-1 mark in 29 games with a 2.14 ERA...tallied 25 SO in 21.0 innings of work.
-RHP #65 Shane Loux: Has made two appearances this Spring...hurled a scoreless inning on 3/9 at NYM...signed by HOU to a minor league contract on 1/15/10...began 2009 season in Angels starting rotation, making six starts (2-2, 4.64 ERA) before being moved to the bullpen...ended up with 2-3 mark in 18 appearances (6 starts) with a 5.86 ERA...had DL stint due to right shoulder tendinitis...has appeared in parts of four seasons in the Major Leagues with DET (2002-03) and LAA (2008-09).
-RHP #58 Yorman Bazardo: Has made two relief appearances this Spring...hurled a scoreless inning on 3/8 vs. TOR in his last appearances...was 9-6 in 23 appearnces (20 starts) at Round Rock (AAA) in 2009, earning Pacific Coast League All-Star honors...was 1-3 in 10 appearances (6 starts) for the Astros with a 7.88 ERA after being called up on 8/8...signed by HOU to a minor league contract, 4/9/09.
-RHP #43 Chris Sampson: Tied for club lead with three appearances this Spring...last appearances was 3/9 at NYM (2 IP, 1 ER)...was 4-2 in 49 relief appearances in 2009 with a 5.04 ERA...was 4-0 with a 2.09 ERA after his first 36 appearances in ‘09...31-year-old right-hander is in his eighth season of professional ball, all with the Astros...opened LoneStar Baseball Academy in Baytown, TX during the offseason.