HOUSTON, TX - The Houston Astros announced today that the club has agreed to terms with three right-handed pitchers on their 40-man roster on one-year contracts with the corresponding Major League values: Yorman Bazardo, $400,000; Evan Englebrook, $400,000; and Jeff Fulchino, $425,000. The announcement was made by General Manager Ed Wade.

Bazardo, 25, went 1-3 with a 7.88 ERA (28ER/32IP) in 10 games, six starts, for Houston in 2009. He spent the majority of his season at Triple A Round Rock, where he posted a 9-6 record and a 3.20 ERA (48ER/135IP) in 23 games, including 20 starts. He was named a Pacific Coast League All-Star and finished third in the league in ERA. Bazardo has appeared in 25 Major League games with Florida (2005), Detroit (2007-08) and Houston (2009) and owns a 3-4 career record with a 6.86 ERA (46ER/60.1IP).

Englebrook, 27, posted a 3-1 record with nine saves and a 4.25 ERA (17ER/36IP) in 30 relief appearances between Double A Corpus Christi and Round Rock last season. He spent the most of the year at Corpus Christi, posting a 2-0 record and a 3.16 ERA (9ER/25.2IP) in 21 games. Englebrook, 6’-8”, was added to the Astros 40-man roster following the 2009 sea­son.

Fulchino, 30, was named the Astros Rookie of the Year after posting a 6-4 record and a 3.40 ERA (31ER/82IP) in 61 relief appearances for Houston in 2009. Last season, he led all Astros relievers in wins, innings pitched and strikeouts (71). Fulchino has appeared in 74 career Major League games with Florida (2006), Kansas City (2008) and Houston (2009) and owns a 6-5 record and a 4.20 ERA (45ER/96.1IP).

VALLEJO HAS SURGERY

Astros infielder Jose Vallejo underwent surgery today on the fourth and fifth fingers of his right hand at Texas Orthope­dic Hospital in Houston. As part of the procedure, Dr. Thomas Melhoff reattached the flexor tendons in Vallejo’s injured fingers.

Vallejo, who injured his fingers while preparing a meal during the Christmas holidays, will be out of action for approxi­mately six months.

BROCAIL ON BOARD AS ADVISOR

Wade also announced today that former Astros right-handed pitcher Doug Brocail will join the Astros in 2010 in an informal advisory role.

Brocail, who officially announced his retirement from baseball this year, will be in Spring Training during the latter stages to both interact with the Astros professional scouting staff and to see minor league players. During the season, Brocail’s duties may include visiting the Astros minor league affiliates to provide an independent evaluation of pitching pros­pects and to visit Minute Maid Park to provide further consultation.

“We’re happy to have Doug’s input this season,” Wade said. “I encouraged him to spend time with his family and to con­tinue his work with military veterans in the area. This will give him the chance to put his toe in the water on our side and see where it lands.”

Brocail, 42, pitched 15-plus seasons in the Major Leagues from 1992-2009, four of those with the Astros (1995-96, 2008-09). In 626 career appearances, he was 52-48 with a 4.00 ERA (391ER/880IP) and nine saves.