Bayou City Headlines: Brett Wallace Still Fighting For First Base Gig

He was DFA’d just a week ago, but Brett Wallace is still with the Astros after being unclaimed on waivers, and it appears he still has a shot at the first base gig. Wallace will likely head to Triple-A if he struggles this spring, or if players such as Jesus Guzman, Japhet Amador, and Jonathan Singleton dominate in March. Whatever the case may be, Wallace is still with the Astros and will grind his way through the spring attempting to climb back on the 40-man roster. Check out the rest of the links for more.

Houston Astros

• Brian McTaggart (MLB.com) on the Astros looking for their closer.

"“When you look at the woes in which we had in our bullpen last year. It’s something we set out as an organization to make sure we rectified. We brought in some guys that have the ability to rectify that portion of our ballclub, and I’m anxious to see how it plays out,” Porter said."

• John Royal (Houston Press) says the Astros can make out like bandits on CSN Houston with some patience.
• Evan Drellich (Houston Chronicle) on Brett Wallace.
• Astros tweet of the day..

Houston Rockets

• Jonathan Feigen (Houston Chronicle) on Howard being happy he’s healthy.

"A year after Rockets center Dwight Howard trudged through All Star events, particularly media sessions, injured and seemingly unhappy, his jovial nature has seemed to have been restored throughout the three days in New Orleans, to the point he was asked about being ‘a goofball’ again."

• Clutchfans (Podcast) asks if the Rockets are title contenders.
• Adam Wexler (CSN Houston) on Howard and Harden’s performances at the All-Star Game.
• Rockets tweet of the day…

Houston Texans

• John McClain (Houston Chronicle) with part two of the Johnny Manziel coverage.

"“I said, ‘OK, come on out,’ because I was kind of intrigued at that point,” Whitfield said.Now Whitfield and Johnny Manziel, 21, are friends, but that friendship doesn’t keep Whitfield from providing tough love for the quarterback who hopes the Texans select him with the first pick in the NFL draft May 8."

• Dilan Ames (Bleacher Report) says Bridgewater must wow Texans at combine.
• Stephen Forsha (Toro Times) on if the Texans need to keep Greg Jones.
• Texans tweet of the day…