Well, Alex, I think you're going to be disappointed. At this point, the only way either makes the club is if there is an injury to Aaron Boone or Geoff Blum or one of the backup outfielders (Darin Erstad and Jason Michaels). Only four spots are available on the Astros: one starting pitcher, two catchers and a backup infielder who can play shortstop and second base. Abercrombie, an outfielder, and Johnson, a third baseman, probably won't make the cut.

As we know, however, rosters change multiple times over the course of a season, so I wouldn't rule out either one making an appearance at some point this year. As for 2010, expect Johnson to compete for the third-base job in earnest.

I am now stationed in Italy. Poor me, I know. I love talking sports with the Italians, but they don't seem to be even aware of the World Baseball Classic this year. What is the real mood like about the Classic? Is there any trash talking or anything? Are the players even having fun with it? International sport here in Europe is the main event. Do you think the Classic will get there?
-- Clint C., Corpus Christi, Texas (via Italy)

It's hard for me to gauge the mood among the various teams because I'm not there to see it in person, Clint. But I can tell you that the players from the Astros who were planning to play for their countries in the Classic -- Roy Oswalt and LaTroy Hawkins (U.S.), Miguel Tejada (Dominican Republic) and Carlos Lee (Panama) -- were excited about it. More than the competition, I believe the players were looking forward to mixing and mingling with their temporary teammates in a somewhat relaxed atmosphere. I also believe they're taking the competition very seriously, even though it's exhibition play. The Classic was a rousing success in 2006, and it looks like it's here to stay.

Lance Berkman's new Elvis Presley chops are hilarious! Any chance he'll continue sporting them, or if they're already gone, will we see them again?
-- Miriam G., Houston

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The chops appear to be an annual Spring Training tradition. He grew them last year and they're back again this year, but they should be gone by Opening Day. I can't remember if Berkman said his wife likes them or doesn't like them, but she appears to have a say in it. I told Berkman last year that if he doesn't want to be called Fat Elvis, it would probably behoove him not to make himself look like Fat Elvis, but clearly, he did not take that to heed.

Do you see Craig Biggio coming back to the Astros as a coach in the near future?
-- Robert L. Tyler, Texas

Maybe someday, but not anytime soon. Biggio is committed to St. Thomas High School as the head baseball coach, and I doubt there would be time to fulfill his duties there as well as to the Astros. When his kids are finished with high school, maybe he'll want to get into coaching in the professional ranks, but that would be much further down the road.

Can we expect to see Tejada playing third anytime this season? There are a half-dozen potential replacements at short and no option for third other than the Blum/Boone platoon. And despite his strong preference for playing short, Tejada is expected to play at least some third in the Classic.
-- Chris A., Austin, Texas

I've asked about that in the past and have been told the club has no plans to ask Tejada to move to third. I don't think it's a bad idea, but it would probably be a better one if Tejada were signed long-term. He has only one season remaining on his contract, and I'm sure the Astros probably think it's best to let him play out the contract at the position where he's most comfortable, and then they'll move on and retool the left side of the infield after 2009.

Why does Oswalt want to pitch for only three more years? I think he could go another 10 years.
-- Jacob H, Friendswood, Texas

Ten is out of the question, but I can see him pitching beyond the three years remaining on his contract. Oswalt doesn't care about stats or the Hall of Fame; he just wants to win a World Series. If the Houston's farm system indeed is back on track and churning out the Major League talent by then, and the Astros again are perennial playoff contenders, I think Oswalt might stretch his career out longer than he thinks he will. I at least believe he'll let the Astros pick up his 2012 option. We'll see. He continues to insist he's done after '11.

According to early reports, Russ Ortiz looks good. If Ortiz can get close to his 2004 form and makes the rotation, how much better do you think the staff is and who do you think will be the odd man out?
-- Billy V., Katy, Texas

I think Ortiz has a very good chance to make this rotation, which would probably mean Brandon Backe would be the odd man out. That said, if Wandy Rodriguez can't stay healthy this spring and his season is delayed, then there would be room for both Backe and Ortiz. It's too early to tell how this is going to go, but Ortiz is a veteran, he's pitched on some great teams and has playoff and World Series experience. He was one of the best when he was healthy. If he can be anything close to that this year, that would be a huge boost to the rotation.