The Houston Astros announced Thursday that they have agreed to terms with RHP Fernando Nieve on a one-year contract, with a Major League Value of $414,000.
Fernando Nieve
Nieve, 26, is a former Lexington Legend. He was 0-1 with an 8.44 ERA over eight short relief appearances for the Astros last season, and 2-5 with a 5.72 ERA over 36 games (seven starts) for Triple-A Round Rock.
A day earlier, another pair of former Legends agreed to terms with the Astros, both for a one-year deal with a Major League Value of $400,000.
RHP Brad James, 24, was 6-6 with a 4.45 ERA over 19 starts for Double-A Corpus Christi last season.
IF Edwin Maysonet, 27, hit .271 with six homers and 34 RBI over 117 games with Round Rock.
* The University of Kentucky, ranked as high as 19th nationally, opens its baseball season Friday in the Caravelle Resort tournament at Conway, S.C. The Wildcats will meet Troy at 2 p.m. UK will face James Madison and Coastal Carolina on Saturday. Coastal, ranked as high as 22nd nationally, will face the Cats again on Sunday.
* Also opening play Friday is Louisville, in the first of a three-game series at Florida. U of L is ranked as high as No. 8 in the nation, while the Gators top out at No. 23.
