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Astros claim Bourgeois off waivers
Speedy outfielder has shot at making Opening Day rosterBy Brian McTaggart / MLB.com
10/26/09 2:41 PM ET
HOUSTON -- Jason Bourgeois, a Houston native who played at Forest Brook High School, was claimed off waivers Monday from the Milwaukee Brewers and will come to Spring Training next year with a chance to win a spot on the Opening Day roster.Bourgeois batted .189 in 24 games with the Brewers, hitting one home run and driving in three runs. The right-handed hitter batted .316 in 105 games with Triple-A Nashville, hitting two home runs, 18 doubles, six triples and had 41 RBIs. He also stole 36 bases. Against right-handers in the Minors, Bourgeois hit .325.
"We like his speed and versatility," general manager Ed Wade said. "We like the fact he plays multiple positions, and more than anything, we like his speed. The feedback we got is he has a good make up and has an option remaining, so he provides us some roster flexibility as well."
Being a waiver claim, Bourgeois, 27, is placed on the 40-man roster. He played mostly center field last season at Nashville, but can play right field and left field. Some in the Astros organization have seen him playing at second base.
"I would see him in our situation battling for an outfield slot," Wade said.
Brian McTaggart is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
