Veteran pitcher Hampton finalizes one-year deal to rejoin Astros

Hampton would earn an additional $100,000 for 12 starts and each additional two starts through 30. He also would get $100,000 for pitching 100 innings and each additional 10 innings through 190. Astros manager Cecil Cooper thinks Hampton will add needed experience to his pitching staff.

"I think he could help guys like Wesley Wright and Wandy Rodriguez, being a left-handed pitcher," Cooper said. "I think he'll help those guys and their maturity and their growth."

Hampton chose to wear No. 11 in Houston after longtime catcher Brad Ausmus gave the OK. Ausmus wore the number in his eight years with the Astros, but is likely headed for retirement.

Ausmus hit a home run off Hampton in Houston's season finale this year. The catcher made Hampton promise to share some kind words about him in exchange for the number.

"I wanted to take this number while it was hot," Hampton joked. "He's definitely one of the hottest hitters in the league after that last game and I just hope I can fill it half as good as he did."

Hampton is 141-105 with a 4.01 ERA. He began his major league career in Seattle in 1993, going 1-3 before being traded to Houston.

A day earlier, Houston agreed to re-sign reliever Doug Brocail for a 2.75 million, one-year deal.