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The Houston Astros and left-handed pitcher Wandy Rodriguez have reached agreement on a three-year contract through the 2013 season, Astros General Manager Ed Wade announced today. The deal buys out Rodriguez’s final arbitration season and at least his first two free agent years. The agreement becomes finalized once Rodriguez passes a physical, which is scheduled for Thursday with Astros team physician Dr. David Lintner.
The contract is guaranteed for the 2011-13 seasons and carries a vesting option. The three-year pact guarantees Rodriguez $34 million. If the contract becomes vested, it will guarantee Rodriguez $44.5 million. Rodriguez has a 62-64 career record.– Astros.com

Milt Thompson, who spent more than five seasons as the hitting coach of the Phillies before being let go in July, has interviewed for the Astros’ hitting coach position that became vacant when his former teammate, Jeff Bagwell, decided not to return. Astros general manager Ed Wade said Wednesday that Thompson, who was in Houston on Monday to meet with Wade and manager Brad Mills, was one of a handful of candidates the team has interviewed either in person or by phone. Wade confirmed Thompson interviewed, but stopped short of naming any other candidates. — Astros.com

Minute Maid Park will undergo significant renovations this offseason, including the installation of a 54-by-124-foot video board that will be the second-largest in Major League Baseball, smaller than only the one in Kansas City’s Kauffman Stadium. Pam Gardner, the Astros’ president of business operations, went before the Harris County-Houston Sports Authority on Thursday morning and shared news of the renovations. The Astros, who lease the ballpark from the authority, will pay all of the estimated $10 million to $12 million price tag. “It’s been 11 years since it opened, so it’s time,” Gardner said. — Astros.com

Carlos Lee, 1B, Astros — The former left fielder is now a first basemen, and the move may help the Astros in two ways: By increasing Lee’s trade value and making their outfield more athletic. It’s going to be tough to deal Lee, who has a no-trade clause, loves Houston, and has $37 million over two years left on his contract. He will likely start at first base next season over youngster Brett Wallace. If Lee can play first base for a National League team, David Ortiz could as well. — Boston Globe

Geographically, at least, the Astros found the next best thing. Four days after their former Class AAA affiliate — the Round Rock Express — signed a deal with the Texas Rangers, the Astros went into business with the Oklahoma City RedHawks. The clubs made official Monday a two-year deal that will make Oklahoma City the home of the Astros’ top minor league club. The Astros also extended their player development contract with short-season Class A Tri-City through 2012. With most Class AAA teams locked into player development contracts, the choices were limited for the Astros, with Las Vegas likely the other option. But they ended up in a place that gives them relative geographic proximity (roughly 450 miles from Houston) and one of the best facilities in the minor leagues. It also takes them back to the home of their top affiliate from the inception of the franchise in 1962 through 1972. — Houston Chronicle

Pitching in a setup role for the first time this season, Matt Lindstrom said he doesn’t have aspirations of returning to the closer’s role by the end of 2010. “Maybe next year,” Lindstrom said. “Right now it’s not really a goal of mine, considering we only have 25 games left. I just want to be a factor.” He’s been a factor and a positive one for the Astros since returning from the disabled list Aug. 1. Brandon Lyon had taken over the closer’s role, and then the DL move was made as Lindstrom had been dealing with back spasms since before his trying week and a half. “I feel good right now especially my arm,” Lindstrom, 30, said. “That’s the best thing as far as health’s concerned is that I don’t have any problems with my arm.” In the long term he would like to be a closer, but his role as Lyon’s setup man is one to which he’s becoming accustomed to quickly. – Houston Chronicle

After hitting snags once in a simulated game and once in Tuesday night’s rehab start, Astros righthander Brian Moehler has opted for surgery. Moehler will undergo the procedure on Sept. 1 in Philadelphia to repair a muscle in his lower abdomen. The procedure will be done by Dr. Bill Meyers, whom Moehler saw for a second opinion on his groin and who discovered the abdominal issue. Moehler had hoped to delay the abdominal surgery until after the year and pitch through a groin injury in which a tendon was removed from the bone. But he felt soreness and had to leave his rehab start for Class AAA Round Rock after three innings and 31 pitches. — Houston Chronicle