FORMER ALL-STAR HEADING TO ASTROS

Free agent pitcher Jake Odorizzi, who made the American League All-star team while pitching for the Twins in 2019, agreed to a two-year deal with the Houston Astros on Saturday.

The 30-year-old right-hander pitched three seasons for the Twins, and was 22-18 with a 4.11 ERA. After going 15-7 in 2019, he was injured much of last season and made only four starts. He had a back injury, took a line drive to the chest and was also sidelined by a blister, and had a 6.59 ERA in 132⁄3 innings.

Before the season, he accepted a $17 million qualifying offer from the Twins, rejecting free agency in hopes he would have a strong 2020 to increase his value on the free agent market.

Terms of his deal with the Astros were not disclosed, but the MLB Network reported the incentive-laden contract could be worth $30 million over two seasons and has a buyout for Year 3.

Mariners prospect sidelined

Seattle Mariners top prospect Jarred Kelenic will be sidelined due to a strained adductor muscle in his left knee.

Mariners GM Jerry Dipoto said an MRI revealed the injury. No timeline was given for the outfielder’s return.

Kelenic, 21, appeared to be injured during his first at-bat on Friday against the White Sox. Kelenic reached on an error, but appeared bothered after reaching first base. Kelenic remained in the game and was replaced an inning later.

Kelenic, who hit Seattle’s first home run of spring training last week against the Cubs, has been the center of attention during spring training.

Kelenic’s arrival in the majors was part of comments made by former team President and CEO Kevin Mather that indicated Seattle was considering manipulating Kelenic’s service time.

Kelenic and his agent lashed out at the Mariners in comments made to USA Today following Mather’s resignation last month. After homering earlier this week Kelenic said he’s using those words as motivation.

Notable

Yankees manager Aaron Boone, who turns 48 in a few days, returned to the dugout Saturday, three days after surgery to have a pacemaker inserted. “It felt good just to be at the ballfield again, competing with the guys,” he said after managing New York’s 3-2 loss to the Pirates.

Brewers infielder Luis Urias has a hamstring issue and won’t play in the next game. “We’ll have him run around the field, most likely run and then take a day of batting practice and ground balls,” manager Craig Counsell said. “But I feel confident. I mean, right now, we’re just going to make him day to day.“

Left-handed reliever Jose Alvarez signed a $1.15 million, one-year contract with the Giants. The 31-year-old will look to build off momentum he had with the Phillies last season when he posted a 1.42 ERA over eight outings.

Jacob degrom pitched two scoreless innings in his spring debut, striking out three and allowing one hit in a 6-1 Mets win over the Astros. The two-time NL Cy Young Award also got the word, not that there was any doubt, that he’d start on opening April 1 at Washington.

Jose Quintana started for the Angels and struck out four of the seven batters he faced over two hitless innings in an 8-2 loss to Colorado. Dereck Rodriguez worked three innings in the start for the Rockies, giving up a two-run homer to Jo Adell.