clarinews@clarinet.com (02/02/90)
HOUSTON (UPI) -- The Houston Astros Thursday avoided another arbitration hearing by signing reliever Larry Andersen to a two-year contract, one day after reaching a contract agreement with reliever Juan Agosto. The Astros also announced they have invited left-handed pitcher Mark Thurmond to spring training and signed free agent right hander Brian Fisher. Andersen, 36, was 4-4 with three saves in 60 games last season. His 1.54 earned run average was his career best and the lowest mark among National League pitchers working 80 or more innings. The right-hander had an arbitration hearing scheduled Monday. He was asking for a $1.15 million salary. The Astros were offering $900,000. Agosto, who was set to go to arbitration this weekend, Wednesday agreed to a contract worth approximately $850,000. He had asked the club for $940,000, while the Astros had offered $750,000. Agosto could earn an additional $100,000 in bonuses. Pitchers Danny Darwin and Jim Deshaies are still scheduled for arbitration hearings, beginning with Darwin next Tuesday. ``I am real happy with the contract and I guess they are, too,'' Agosto said from his home in Sarasota, Fla. ``You are happy any time you do not have to go to arbitration. I am pleased with what I got.'' Agosto, who earned $545,000 last season, became the first pitcher in Astros history to record two seasons with 70 or more appearances. The 31-year-old finished last season by allowing just one earned run in his final 13 outings to lower his ERA to 2.93. However, he posted a 4-5 record and club officials were not pleased with his overall performance. Thurmond, who spent the 1989 season with Baltimore, is the 18th non-roster player the Astros have invited to their Kissimmee, Fla., spring training camp. The 33-year-old pitched in a career-high 49 games for the Orioles, all but two in relief. He worked 83 innings out of the bullpen, the fourth-highest among American League left-handed relievers. He had a 2-4 record and 3.90 ERA with four saves. Fisher, 27, had been in the Pittsburgh organization since 1987. He opened last season on the disabled list after having arthroscopic surgery on his left knee and right shoulder during the off-season. He was on the disabled list three times during the season. He was 0-3 with one save and a 7.94 ERA in nine games. He spent time in the minor leagues on an injury rehabilitation assignment.