Brandon Backe

Houston Astros right-hander Brandon Backe entered Spring Training with a chip on his shoulder. The 30-year-old Galveston native finished 9-14 with a 6.05 ERA in 31 starts last season. 

After undergoing career-threatening Tommy John surgery Sept. 7, 2006, Backe perservered through intensive rehabilitation and returned to the mound toward the end of the 2007 season.