Friday, Oct. 30, 2009

Astros decline option on Brocail, hire two coaches

The Houston Astros elected not to pick up the 2010 contract option of veteran relief pitcher Doug Brocail, the club announced on Friday.

The 42-year-old Brocail appeared in 20 games out of the bullpen last season, going 1-0 with a 4.58 earned run average. However, he was slowed by several health issues during the campaign, causing him to have three stints on the disabled list.

The right-hander has compiled a 52-48 record with nine saves to go along with a 4.00 ERA over 626 big league games with San Diego, Houston, Detroit and Texas.

In other news, the club named Al Pedrique bench coach and Bobby Meacham first base coach to new manager Brad Mills' 2010 staff.

Pedrique will be entering his sixth season in the Houston organization. He came to the Astros in 2004 as a special assistant to the general manager and last season served as the team's minor league field coordinator.

Meacham spent 2009 as a coach with Philadelphia's Class A affiliate in Williamsport. He has previous major league coaching experience in a variety of roles with the New York Yankees, San Diego and Florida.