HOUSTON, Nov. 19 (UPI) -- The Houston Astros have re-signed veteran catcher Brad Ausmus to a two-year contract.
Financial terms were not released. Ausmus made $5.5 million in 2003.
One of the game's best defensive catchers, the two-time Gold Glove winner finished second in the major leagues at his position with a .997 fielding percentage last season. He also threw out 37 of 105 attempted base stealers and had just three passed balls in 143 games.
Ausmus, 34, hit .229 with four home runs and 47 RBI, and caught at least 100 games for the 10th straight season. He is a .256 lifetime batting average with 63 home runs and 430 RBI. He is in his second stint with the Astros after being acquired from the Detroit Tigers in a six-player trade in December 2000.
Ausmus helps a talented young pitching staff that includes Roy Oswalt, Wade Miller, Carlos Hernandez, and Jeriome Robertson, all of whom are 27 or younger.
Houston (87-75) was fifth in the National League last season with a 3.87 ERA.
