Astros sign five to minor-league deals

Jan 5, 2009 - 9:32 PM HOUSTON (Ticker)-- The Houston Astros on Monday signed outfielders Reggie Abercrombie and John Call, righthander Clay Hensley, infielders Mark Saccomanno and Jason Smith to minor-league contracts.

Abercrombie, 27, hit a career-high .309 (17-of-55) with two home runs and five RBI in 34 games with Houston last season.

Gall, 30, batted .312 (112-of-359) with 12 home runs and 76 RBI in 98 games for Class AAA Albuquerque of the Florida Marlins organization.

Hensley went 1-2 with a 5.31 ERA in 32 games with San Diego last season. The 29-year-old is 15-18 with a 4.09 ERA in 106 games with the Padres.

Saccomanno, 28, hit .200 in 10 appearances with Houston last season. He became the fourth player in major-league history to homer in his first career at-bat on September 8 vs. Pittsburgh.

Smith, 31, hit .214 (6-of-28) with one RBI in 22 games with Kansas City.