The Astros signed left-hander Gustavo Chacin to a minor league contract and invited him to Spring Training, according to Alyson Footer of the Astros (on Twitter). He posted a 3.72 ERA in over 200 innings as a 24-year-old in the AL East five years ago, prompting the Blue Jays to introduce Chacin cologne. The promotion was memorable, but the left-hander's next four seasons were not. He struggled through the 2006-07 campaigns and spent 2008-09 in the minors.
Chacin rallied in 2010, posting a 4.70 ERA with 7.3 K/9 and 4.7 BB/9 in 38 1/3 innings with the Astros. Houston outrighted the 30-year-old Venezuelan off of the 40-man roster earlier in the offseason, but liked what they saw from him enough to invite him back for another season.
