April 14, 2008 Brad Ausmus is ready to start if JR Towles is forced to miss any time due to his hand injury, according to the Houston Chronicle. Ausmus commented, "I caught every day for 15 years. This won't be a problem at all. I think that's part of the reason the Astros were willing to bring me back as a backup plan should something happen. That being said, we have Humberto Quintero, who can come up here and catch, so I don't know if my role would change."
Our View:The severity of Towles' injury is yet to be determined, and he will be re-evaluated today.
October 30, 2007 The Astros re-signed Brad Ausmus to a one-year, $2 million deal on Tuesday, according to the Astros website. Ausmus hit just .235 with three homers in 349 at-bats in 2007, and he should settle into a backup role behind J.R. Towles next season.
October 1, 2007 The Astros have offered Brad Ausmus a one-year offer to return next season. "It's just a matter of me deciding what I want to do," said Ausmus, according to the Houston Chronicle. If he takes the offer, Ausmus would make about $2 million.
June 10, 2007 Brad Ausmus is dealing with a lower-back problem. It got bad enough this week that he went to Houston to receive a cortisone injection, according to the Houston Chronicle. "I feel the same right now," he said Saturday. "It can take up to 10 days for the medication to have its full effect. The lower back issue is an issue I've been dealing with for a few years. The shot is more to relieve discomfort." Ausmus was able to catch the ninth inning of Saturday's contest, so it appears he's still available for action, but the status of his back is something to keep an eye on going forward.
March 4, 2007 Brad Ausmus has been cleared to return to game action today, according to the Houston Chronicle. He's been sidelined since receiving a cortisone injection in his sore right shoulder last Sunday.
