Doug Fister Signs 1-Year Contract with Houston Astros

Free-agent pitcher Doug Fister had a down 2015 season with the Washington Nationals that saw him removed from the starting rotation and put in the bullpen. Now, he's hoping he can get a new start with the Houston Astros, who announced they'd signed him to a one-year deal on Wednesday.

Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe first reported the team's interest in Fister on Jan. 24. 

Before his stint in Washington, Fister spent three seasons with the Tigers from 2011 to 2013, when he went 32-20 with a 3.29 ERA. Detroit traded him after the 2013 season to the Nationals for Steve Lombardozzi, Ian Krol and Robbie Ray.    

His first season with the Nationals was the finest of his career. He went 16-6 with a 2.41 ERA before his tough 2015 that included a forearm injury that sidelined him for over a month. There's no doubt Fister can benefit an Astros rotation that stuggled outside of ace Dallas Keuchel and Collin McHugh. Fister fits perfectly with what the Astros are looking for, as a talented, veteran arm who was available for a discounted price. 

Stats courtesy of Baseball-Reference.com.