Astros sign LHP Hampton

Dec 3, 2008 - 5:49 PM HOUSTON (Ticker) -- Despite a recent history of serious injuries, Mike Hampton is headed back to the Houston Astros.

The Astros officially signed the veteran lefthander to a one-year, $2 million deal on Wednesday.

The 36-year-old Hampton pitched for the Astros from 1994-99, winning 69 games. In his last season in Houston, he was 22-4 with a 2.90 ERA.

Hampton spent the last four years with the Atlanta Braves but missed the entire 2006 and 2007 seasons due to a strained left oblique and torn flexor tendon in his right elbow.

The oft-injured Hampton returned to the Braves' rotation after missing the first four months of the 2008 campaign and posted a 3-4 record with a 4.85 ERA in 13 starts.

"Mike provides an immediate upgrade to our starting rotation," Houston general manager Ed Wade said.

"He averaged more than six innings a start over his last nine outings last year, and eight of those starts were quality starts. Mike is a fierce competitor and a great teammate. I suspect that he will be on a mission this season to be out there battling every fifth day. He makes us better."

Hampton started the Braves' final game of the season in Houston before becoming a free agent and indicated he had a desire to return to the city.

Hampton has a career mark of 141-105 with a 4.01 ERA in 334 career starts with the Seattle Mariners, Astros, New York Mets and Colorado Rockies.