Infielders Kazuo Matsui and Tommy Manzella and outfielders Hunter Pence and Nick Gorneault all reported to Astros camp Sunday. They join infielders Ty Wigginton and Tomas Perez, and outfielders Jose Cruz, Jr. and Michel Bourn, who have already reported to camp.
Matsui, who took a red-eye flight from Los Angeles and arrived in Orlando Sunday morning, said before his workout through an interpreter: "I am extremely excited to be here."
Astros manager Cecil Cooper welcomed he early arrivals into spring training.
"It's exciting; it's what it's all about. Hunter (Pence) showed up today and he was hitting balls in BP that are getting close to the automobiles across the street. Jose Cruz Jr. is swinging it well. It gets me excited. This is our ball club; this is our offense. In the next couple of days, we should have guys like Lance (Berkman) and Carlos (Lee) and Miguel (Tejada) showing up and getting ready for the season."
NOTES: The following pitchers threw off the mound Sunday: RHP Brandon Backe, RHP Dave Borkowski, RHP Jack Cassel, RHP Mike De Jean, RHP Samuel Gervacio, RHP Runelvys Hernandez, RHP Carlos Hines, RHP Brian Moehler, RHP Chad Reineke, RHP Woody Williams, and LHP Wesley Wright ... RHP Ryan Houston, claimed off waivers from Toronto on Dec. 12, 2007, would be the first player with the last name of "Houston" to play for the Houston franchise if he appears in a Major League game this season.
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