Astro Miggy Tejada has told ESPN that he is in fact, 33, as opposed to the 31 he had led us to believe he was. Tejada was approached by ESPN after they had acquired a birth certificate, the date indicated his claimed age might not be 100% accurate.

I’m at a loss here. Although contractually obligated, an El Duque age joke just seems a little too easy right now. Regardless, doesn’t ESPN have better uses for its crack research teams? Like steroids? NBA refs with mob ties? Hot lady golfers?

The Houston Chronicle reports that Kaz Matsui, who was out due to a mystery ailment that was definately not hemorroids has been flown back to Houston. To treat his hemorroids.

He is expected to be able to play through it, though no word on how it will affect him once he’s benched for a better hitting second basemen.

In unrelated injury news, El Duque was injured in a freak Zombie attack before sunrise this morning. He is currently reporting no ill effects.

Astros.com reports that Kaz Matsui was benched for what definitely was not hemorrhoids, even if previous reports say otherwise. This injury was definitely not caused by the prolonged time he sat on the bench for not living up to expectations in New York, or the time he spent sitting in the stands at Shea because he was hurt.

This goes up there with Vince Coleman getting trapped by a tarp.

FoxSports.com is reporting that Astros OF Hunter Pence fell through a sliding glass door and lacerated a finger and bruised his knee.

Pence may run weird and fall through doors.. but the Astros do have a good hitter in the making..

Jeff Zrebiec of the Baltimore Sun reports that Miguel Tejada has been traded to the Houston Astros for OF Luke Scott, P’s Matt Albers, Troy Patton and Dennis Sarfate, and 3B Michael Costanzo.

Tejada ended the past season with a .296 average, 18 home runs and 81 RBIs. According to reports, Tejada had told Andy McPhail during a meeting at the end of last season “that he wanted to be part of a winning team and wasn’t interested in a rebuilding one.”

MetsGal contributed to this report.

mlbtraderumors.com heard a report on 790 The Sports Animal, a Houston radio station, reporting that the Astros are close to a deal to acquire Miguel Tejada.

The Astros would send Adam Everett, Chris Burke, and a pitcher.

You can tune into The Sports Animal here.

Former Met second basemen Kaz Matsui has finalized a deal with the Astros. The AP reports that Kaz will receive a 3 year deal for $16.5 million, and has a limited no trade clause.

A MVP in Japan, Kaz spent four seasons with the Mets where he hit a homerun in his first plate appearance in three consecutive seasons. Never quite living up the the expectations of the fans and management, Matsui struggled with injury off and on, going from everyday player to a platoon and eventually was replaced with Jose Valentin before being traded to Colorado for minor league catcher Eli Marrero.

Bruce Miles of the Daily Herald reports that the Houston Astros have come to terms with free agent 2B Kaz Matsui on a three-year, $15 million contract.

Matsui, 32, played for the National League-champion Colorado Rockies this year, batting .288 with 4 home runs, 37 RBIs, 84 Runs and swiped 32 bases.

In 213 at-bats outside of Coors Field, Matsui hit .249 with 0 home runs and 12 RBIs.

Good luck with all that.

Adam Rubin of the New York Daily News reported yesterday afternoon, though unconfirmed, that the Mets acquired minor-league catcher Ralph Henriguez of the Houston Astros. The Mets sent LHP Josh Appell to the Astros in return.

Henriguez, 20, was selected by the Houston Astros in the 2nd round of the 2005 MLB Amateur Entry Draft (72nd Overall). In his 2006 at Greeneville, hit .231 with five homers and 37 RBIs in 238 at-bats and finished fifth in the Appalachian League with 56 strikeouts. Last season, he hit .185 with seven homers and 36 RBIs in 372 at-bats.

Ken Rosenthal of FOXSports.com believes the Angels have emerged as a most intriguing possibility for Marlins 3B Miguel Cabrera to land through a trade. The Dodgers, Red Sox and Yankees all have interest as well, however the Red Sox are trying to re-sign Mike Lowell and the comments from Yankees’ representative Hank Steinbrenner saying that he would not trade one of the big three young pitchers.

Rosenthal also adds that the Washington Nationals would like to sign CF Andruw Jones but will likely have a tough time chalking up the money it will take to get him. He also notes that he sees the Giants and White Sox as two potential suiters with the Dodgers a possibility. The Padres would be more involved with him if his price dropped.

The Phillies believe that CF Aaron Rowand may command a four-year, $52 million contract. Both the Astros and Mets remain interested in free agent 2B Luis Castillo. The Indians, Padres and Dodgers could also enter the mix pending decisions within their franchise. The Twins are one of the teams attempting to trade for Red Sox CF Coco Crisp, but the Red Sox are demanding too much in return it appears. Teams with too many starting pitchers may look to the trade market to get rid of them. Indians starter LHP Cliff Lee, Brewers RHP Dave Bush and LHP Chris Capuano are amongst the possible choices.

Rosenthal ends on one final note. The Washington Nationals would like to trade for another young major league-ready starter. Mets 2nd-round draft pick in 2006 Kevin Mulvey is among one of the choices that Rosenthal adds, with the other being the Twins Kevin Slowey.

With the Mets in need of bullpen help. Could we be looking at a trade for one of the Nationals relievers? Chad Cordero or Jon Rauch could help this team in the bullpen and the Nationals are looking to get younger. The Nationals reportedly have interest in OF Carlos Gomez as well.

Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports reports that the Mets will face stiff competition from the Houston Astros when they look to re-sign Luis Castillo.

The Astros are looking to replace Craig Biggio, who retired this season, and Rosenthal’s sources say that they will make a ’strong run’ at Castillo.