The Houston Astros and shortstop Jed Lowrie agreed to terms on a one-year contract Wednesday, avoiding arbitration.
He was acquired from Boston in a trade in December that saw Houston also get pitcher Kyle Weiland from reliever Mark Melancon.
Lowrie appeared in a career-high 88 games last season and batted .252 with six home runs and 36 runs batted in. He played at every infield position in 2011.
Over four seasons in the majors, all with Boston, the 27-year-old has played in 256 games and has batted .252 with 19 home runs and 117 RBI.
With his signing, the team has all arbitration eligible players under contract for the 2012 season.
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The New York Mets have put infielder Justin Turner on the 15-day disabled list because of a sprained right ankle and cut right-handed reliever Manny Acosta. 
The struggling Atlanta Braves have sent right-hander Kris Medlen to the minors with an eye toward starting and called up outfielder Jose Constanza. 
Philadelphia Phillies ace Roy Halladay is expected to miss six to eight weeks because of a strained right shoulder, the latest major setback for the five-time NL East champions. 
While this is a big week for the UNC and ECU baseball teams, which begin NCAA play Friday in Chapel Hill, it’s turning out to be anything except that for some of the two programs’ best former players. 
Prosecutors are not offering a plea deal to Detroit Tigers outfielder Delmon Young, who's accused of making anti-Semitic remarks during a fight outside a New York hotel. 
When Jered Weaver limped off the mound after 12 pitches with lower back pain, the Yankees had an unexpected opportunity to face the Los Angeles Angels without their ace. 
Los Angeles Angels ace Jered Weaver left his start against the Yankees in the first inning Monday night after just 12 pitches with excruciating lower back pain. 
Don Mattingly knew what he had seen and he pleaded with first base umpire Todd Tichenor to get some help so he could make the correct call. 
Milwaukee Brewers catcher Jonathan Lucroy went on the disabled list with a bizarre injury Monday night after breaking his right hand when a suitcase fell on it.
Mark Trumbo hit a game-ending homer to left, and the Los Angeles Angels overcame Jered Weaver's first-inning injury exit for their seventh consecutive victory, a wild 9-8 win over the New York Yankees on Monday night. Keep up with the latest sports stories with our free e-mail newsletters, delivered to your inbox!
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