Rick Ankiel homered, doubled and drove in four runs in the Astros' 11-4 rout of the Tigers on Thursday. Ankiel has won the Astros' right field job with a .432 average and four homers in 45 at-bats this spring. It's highly unlikely that he'll hit for average in the regular season, but he might surprise with decent power numbers. Of course, that would require staying healthy, something that's always been a problem for him.

Rick Ankiel came off the bench to supply the Astros' only two hits -- a double and a homer -- Saturday against the Braves. Ankiel doubled off Jordan Walden and then homered off Craig Kimbrel in the ninth. The rest of the Astros combined to go 0-for-27. Ankiel appears likely to open the season as Houston's right fielder against right-handers.

Rick Ankiel went 2-for-2 with a home run Thursday as the Astros topped a Yankees split-squad 7-6. Ankiel is 6-for-9 with three extra-base hits as he attempts to win a spot in Houston's outfield. He'll likely be a starter in center or right if he can remain hot all spring. As is, Justin Maxwell is the only Astros outfielder who can be safely penciled into the lineup.

According to Brian McTaggart of MLB.com, Rick Ankiel will earn $750,000 if he makes the Astros roster out of spring training. He can also earn additional incentives of $75,000 for reaching 200 plate appearances to $150,000 for 550 plate appearances. The veteran outfielder would provide a solid left-handed power source and veteran leadership to a young Astros clubhouse.

Astros manager Bo Porter fully believes that Rick Ankiel will earn a spot on the Opening Day roster, provided he performs the way that he's capable of. Porter served as the Nationals' third base coach for two seasons that Ankiel was there, so he's very familiar with the veteran outfielder. Ankiel would provide much needed left-handed power and veteran leadership to a very young Astros clubhouse.

Astros signed OF Rick Ankiel to a minor league contract with a spring training invite. Ankiel, 33, batted .228/.282/.411 with five home runs and a .694 OPS in 68 games with the Nationals last season prior to being given his release in July. He'll have to have a big spring in order to win a roster spot.

Agent Scott Boras has denied a report that Rick Ankiel is considering a return to the mound. "Rick Ankiel is a position player," Boras said. "He's not pitching." Joe Strauss of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reported Thursday that Ankiel was considering a return to the bump, but evidently it's not going to happen. The 33-year-old failed to catch on with another team after being released by the Nationals in July, but it appears he's not ready to give up on his career as a position player.

Joe Strauss of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch is "hearing" that Rick Ankiel might try pitching again. Ankiel was released by the Nationals in late July after batting just .228 with a .282 OBP in 171 plate appearances as a backup outfielder and wasn't able to find a new contract offer before the end of the summer. The 33-year-old still throws his full arsenal in random side sessions and probably has a better shot at continuing his career as a lefty reliever than a bench bat.

Nationals released OF Rick Ankiel. Ankiel successfully clears waivers after being designated for assignment last week. The 33-year-old outfielder was given the boot after batting just .228 with a .282 on-base percentage over 171 plate appearances this season. He shouldn't be out of a job for long now that he can sign with any team at a prorated portion of the league minimum.

Adam Kilgore of the Washington Post hears that the Yankees have some interest in acquiring Rick Ankiel. Ankiel was designated for assignment earlier this week and the Yankees could potentially view him as outfield depth with Brett Gardner (elbow) likely out for the season. Assuming he clears waivers, he figures to sign for a prorated portion of the league minimum.