Johnson All Set for Astro Debut

Randy Johnson, acquired by the Houston Astros on Friday, will make his National League debut today at Pittsburgh. The Astros had planned to start him Monday at Miami, but he chose to stay on his normal five-day rotation by pitching today.

Johnson, who is 9-10 with a 4.33 earned-run average in 23 starts this season and leads the AL with 213 strikeouts, has lost consecutive starts since pitching consecutive shutouts. He last pitched Tuesday against Cleveland.

Cam Bonifay, general manager of the Central division-rival Pittsburgh Pirates, said Saturday that Houston’s acquisition of Johnson switches the balance of power in the NL from the Atlanta Braves to the Astros, who already possess one of league’s top offenses and quality starters in Sean Bergman (10-5) and Mike Hampton (9-5).

“This puts them up there with the elite teams. In any short series, this gives them a tremendous opportunity to win,” Bonifay said. “A player like that in a short series can turn a season into a championship season.”

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Houston relief pitcher Billy Wagner, pitching for the first time since being hit in the head by a line drive, struck out the only three batters he faced for double-A Jackson on Saturday night at Jackson, Miss.

The last time Wagner was on the mound was July 15 at Arizona, when he was hit in the left side of the head by Kelly Stinnett’s liner.

Beginning a four-day rehabilitation assignment, Wagner started the game against Tulsa and pitched only one inning as scheduled.

He threw 15 pitches, his fastball consistently at 94-97 mph.

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Mayor Susan Golding and San Diego Padre President Larry Lucchino shook hands on a deal to build a new ballpark in downtown San Diego.

Although negotiations on the $411-million redevelopment project had stalled during the week, Golding and Lucchino said they were able to hammer out an agreement.

The City Council will review the 67-page memorandum of understanding and discuss the matter Tuesday. The council will decide whether to put the ballpark issue before voters on the Nov. 3 ballot. The issue must be submitted before an Aug. 7 deadline.

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The Minnesota Twins signed relief pitcher Rick Aguilera to a one-year contract extension Saturday.

Terms were not disclosed. Aguilera is 3-6 with a 4.25 ERA and 27 saves in 35 chances.

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The Cincinnati Reds put infielder Pokey Reese on the 15-day disabled list because of a torn ligament in his right thumb. To take Reese’s spot on the roster, the Reds recalled pitcher Dennis Reyes, acquired from the Dodgers in the Jeff Shaw trade, from triple-A Indianapolis.

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The New York Yankees put right-handed reliever Darren Holmes on the 15-day disabled list because of a bulging disk in his back.