The Astros found a veteran to fill out the back end of their starting rotation for 2016.
Doug Fister has agreed to terms on a one-year deal with Houston, the team announced Thursday. The towering right-hander, who turns 32 next week, will slot in behind Dallas Keuchel, Collin McHugh, Lance McCullers and Mike Fiers.
Fister is a candidate for a bounceback season after posting a career-worst 4.19 ERA for the Nationals in 2015. That came on the heels of a 2014 season that saw the former Mariner and Tiger go 16-6 with a 2.41 ERA in 25 starts for Washington.
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If nothing else, Fister will provide some seasoning for a still-inexperienced Astros rotation. He has thrown more innings in the majors (1,085 2/3) than McHugh, McCullers and Fiers combined (934) and also pitched in the postseason every year from 2011-14.
That track record could make him a solid bookend to the reigning AL Cy Young award winner Keuchel as the Astros look to improve on last season's breakout campaign.
According to SB Nation, Fister will make $7 million, with the opportunity to increase his take to $12 million with incentives.
