Moves past back issue ...

HOUSTON (AP) — Outfielder Ben Gamel is staying with the Houston Astros, agreeing Wednesday to a $1.2 million, one-year contract. Gamel gets a $200,000 signing bonus and a $1 million salary ...

Astros manager Joe Espada said Monday that Gamel (back) should be ready to return to Grapefruit League action Wednesday, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports. Gamel has been sidelined by a ...

Gamel, who played in 20 games for Houston down ... He also worked at The Sacramento Bee and primarily covered baseball, writing about the A’s and Giants. He is a Cal alum and Sacramento native.

Meanwhile, MLB fans posted their reactions to the news ... Therefore, fans feel the signing of Ben Gamel could potentially have far-reaching consequences. "Bregman is cooked," posted one fan.

The Pirates reportedly "floated" a number around $8MM to Alex Verdugo before instead signing Tommy Pham. Read more at MLB ...

TAMPA — The dark clouds hovering over the Yankees briefly parted Sunday as Ben Hess took the mound. The 2024 first-round pick ...