The Astros will open the season with one starting position player -- 2B Kaz Matsui (anal fissure surgery) -- on the disabled list. He's expected to return in early April. C J.R. Towles missed two weeks of spring action with a hamstring injury, and LHP Wandy Rodriguez was slowed for 10 days because of an oblique strain.

ROTATION:

1. RHP Roy Oswalt

2. RHP Brandon Backe

3. LHP Wandy Rodriguez

4. RHP Shawn Chacon

5. RHP Chris Sampson

Oswalt is a bona fide ace at the top of order and a threat to win 20 games once again. Backe made five starts at the end of last year following Tommy John surgery.

Rodriguez and Chacon are hit or miss, and Sampson pitched well last year before hurting his arm. Backe and Sampson are both converted infielders who will be asked to eat up innings.

BULLPEN:

RHP Jose Valverde (closer)

RHP Doug Brocail

RHP Geoff Geary

RHP Oscar Villarreal

LHP Wesley Wright

RHP Dave Borkowski

RHP Brian Moehler

The only holdovers from last year are long relievers Borkowski and Moehler, who was an afterthought as spring started but kept getting people out. Valverde, who led the league with 47 saves last year, was acquired to replace Brad Lidge, who was sent to Philadelphia.

Brocail had a terrific 2007 season in San Diego but was rocked this spring. Geary and Villarreal were acquired in trades, giving the Astros a pair of veteran arms who can work often. Wright, a Rule 5 pick, was terrific in spring.

LINEUP:

1. CF Michael Bourn

2. RF Hunter Pence

3. 1B Lance Berkman

4. LF Carlos Lee

5. SS Miguel Tejada

6. 2B Mark Loretta

7. 3B Ty Wigginton

8. C J.R. Towles

Manager Cecil Cooper originally had Pence hitting sixth, but he was tinkering with putting him second, even when starting 2B Kaz Matsui returns from the disabled list. Bourn and Matsui give the Astros speed at the top of the order they didn't have last year.

The trio of Berkman, Lee and Tejada are power threats and tough outs. Loretta fills in for Matsui, who will return in early April. Wigginton is hitting seventh and could hit 25 homers, while rookie Towles has promise with the bat.

RESERVES:

C Brad Ausmus

INF Geoff Blum

INF Mark Loretta

OF Darin Erstad

OF Jose Cruz Jr.

Ausmus moves to the bench this year to make way for Towles. Blum and Loretta and can play any position on the infield, but Loretta has a much better bat and likely will start on Opening Day in place of Matsui.

The Erstad signing might prove to be a good one. He's won a World Series title, can play all three outfield spots and can spell Berkman at first base. Cruz, son of Astros legend Jose Cruz, had a terrific spring and may finally get his longtime wish to play for the team where his dad was a star and is the first base coach.

ROOKIE WATCH: C J.R. Towles made a big splash at the end of last year, hitting .375 with one homer and 12 RBIs, including a team-record eight in one game. The Astros gave him the starting job entering spring, and they think they have found the catcher of the future. LHP Wesley Wright, a Rule 5 pickup, was the spring's biggest surprise and will be interesting to watch.

MEDICAL WATCH:

INF Geoff Blum (sore left heel) left the March 24 game. He is day-to-day.

2B Kaz Matsui (anal fissure) underwent surgery March 17. He went on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to March 21, and he is out until mid-April.

RHP Felipe Paulino (pinched nerve in upper arm) will be out at least one month, and he is likely to miss half the season.

C J.R. Towles (strained hamstring) missed two weeks in the spring. He returned to action March 22 but still couldn't run 100 percent.

LHP Wandy Rodriguez (strained oblique) was slowed for about 10 days in mid-March but was expected to take his first turn in the rotation.

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