The Astros, pursuing another veteran option for their rotation, are close to signing right-hander Shawn Chacon to a one-year contract, according to a major-league source. Chacon, 30, will join a group that includes right-handers Roy Oswalt, Woody Williams and Brandon Backe, along with left-hander Wandy Rodriguez.
The Astros depleted their rotation depth during the off-season, including three young minor-league starters, in trades for shortstop Miguel Tejada and closer Jose Valverde.
Sixty of Chacon’s 64 appearances with the Pirates last season were in relief, and he finished 5-4 with a 3.94 ERA. However, he has been used primarily a starter in five of his seven major-league seasons.
Chacon is 37-46 with a 4.89 ERA in 119 career starts and 6-12 with 36 saves and a 5.39 ERA in 135 career relief appearances. He has pitched for the Rockies and Yankees as well as the Pirates.
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