Rick Ankiel came off the bench to supply the Astros' only two hits -- a double and a homer -- Saturday against the Braves.

Ankiel doubled off Jordan Walden and then homered off Craig Kimbrel in the ninth. The rest of the Astros combined to go 0-for-27. Ankiel appears likely to open the season as Houston's right fielder against right-handers.

Rick Ankiel went 2-for-2 with a home run Thursday as the Astros topped a Yankees split-squad 7-6.

Ankiel is 6-for-9 with three extra-base hits as he attempts to win a spot in Houston's outfield. He'll likely be a starter in center or right if he can remain hot all spring. As is, Justin Maxwell is the only Astros outfielder who can be safely penciled into the lineup.

According to Brian McTaggart of MLB.com, Rick Ankiel will earn $750,000 if he makes the Astros roster out of spring training.

He can also earn additional incentives of $75,000 for reaching 200 plate appearances to $150,000 for 550 plate appearances. The veteran outfielder would provide a solid left-handed power source and veteran leadership to a young Astros clubhouse.

Astros manager Bo Porter fully believes that Rick Ankiel will earn a spot on the Opening Day roster, provided he performs the way that he's capable of.

Porter served as the Nationals' third base coach for two seasons that Ankiel was there, so he's very familiar with the veteran outfielder. Ankiel would provide much needed left-handed power and veteran leadership to a very young Astros clubhouse.

Astros signed OF Rick Ankiel to a minor league contract with a spring training invite.

Ankiel, 33, batted .228/.282/.411 with five home runs and a .694 OPS in 68 games with the Nationals last season prior to being given his release in July. He'll have to have a big spring in order to win a roster spot.

Agent Scott Boras has denied a report that Rick Ankiel is considering a return to the mound.

"Rick Ankiel is a position player," Boras said. "He's not pitching." Joe Strauss of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reported Thursday that Ankiel was considering a return to the bump, but evidently it's not going to happen. The 33-year-old failed to catch on with another team after being released by the Nationals in July, but it appears he's not ready to give up on his career as a position player.

Joe Strauss of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch is "hearing" that Rick Ankiel might try pitching again.

Ankiel was released by the Nationals in late July after batting just .228 with a .282 OBP in 171 plate appearances as a backup outfielder and wasn't able to find a new contract offer before the end of the summer. The 33-year-old still throws his full arsenal in random side sessions and probably has a better shot at continuing his career as a lefty reliever than a bench bat.

Nationals released OF Rick Ankiel.

Ankiel successfully clears waivers after being designated for assignment last week. The 33-year-old outfielder was given the boot after batting just .228 with a .282 on-base percentage over 171 plate appearances this season. He shouldn't be out of a job for long now that he can sign with any team at a prorated portion of the league minimum.

Adam Kilgore of the Washington Post hears that the Yankees have some interest in acquiring Rick Ankiel.

Ankiel was designated for assignment earlier this week and the Yankees could potentially view him as outfield depth with Brett Gardner (elbow) likely out for the season. Assuming he clears waivers, he figures to sign for a prorated portion of the league minimum.

Nationals designated OF Rick Ankiel for assignment.

Ankiel was batting just .228 with a .282 on-base percentage in 171 plate appearances this season for the Nationals. Jayson Werth (wrist) is nearing a return, so Washington should be fine on outfield depth. Ankiel, 33, could draw some interest on waivers for his defense.

Rick Ankiel went 3-for-3 with a solo home run in the Nationals 2-0 win over the Marlins on Friday.

Ankiel was the star of the show recording all but one of his team's hits. He also scored every run for either side in the game. The solo blast off of Carlos Zambrano in the third inning was Ankiel's first of the season. He's firmly entrenched as the Nationals center fielder for the time being, and is worth a look as a potential power source in deeper mixed leagues.

Rick Ankiel will make his regular-season debut in Saturday's game against the Reds.

Ankiel batted .400 (8-for-20) with three homers and seven RBI over eight games during his rehab assignment and projects to be the Nationals' regular center fielder. Jayson Werth is starting in right field and batting sixth.

Nationals activated OF Rick Ankiel from the 15-day disabled list.

As expected. Ankiel batted .400 (8-for-20) with three homers and seven RBI over eight games during his rehab assignment and should step right in as the starting center fielder. He's only worth considering in NL-only formats, though.

Rick Ankiel (quad) will be activated from the disabled list Saturday.

In fact, Nationals manager Davey Johnson said he'll start in center field for Saturday's game against the Reds. Ankiel showed no signs of his quad injury during his rehab assignment, batting .400 (8-for-20) with three homers and seven RBI over eight games between Class A Hagerstown, Double-A Harrisburg and Triple-A Syracuse.

Rick Ankiel (quad) is expected to come off the disabled list this weekend.

Ankiel made his final rehab appearance on Thursday, and could be activated as early as Friday. He'll likely be in Saturday's starting lineup against Reds righty Homer Bailey.

Rick Ankiel (quad) will play one final minor league rehab game Thursday for Triple-A Syracuse.

And if it goes well, he will join the Nationals' starting lineup on Saturday. Ankiel, who batted just .239/.296/.393 with nine home runs in 2011, is expected to start in center field this season in the nation's capital.

Rick Ankiel (quad) went 2-for-3 with a two-run homer and three RBI Monday in a minor league rehab game with High-A Hagerstown.

Ankiel, who had his rehab shifted from Double-A Harrisburg, also scored two runs and walked twice. The 32-year-old has played well during his rehab stint and is expected to come off the disabled list Saturday.

Rick Ankiel (quad) will shift his rehab assignment to Single-A Hagerstown on Monday night.

Ankiel spent the weekend playing rehab games for Double-A Harrisburg, but that team is now headed out on a road trip. The 32-year-old center fielder should be cleared to join the Nationals' lineup on Saturday.

Rick Ankiel (quad) went 1-for-3 on Friday in his rehab game for Double-A Harrisburg, including a towering home run to deep left-center.

Ankiel was also able to play in center field tonight and looks to be close to returning to the big club. Expect him to be back in Washington for the home opener on Thursday.

Rick Ankiel (quad) went 0-for-2 with two strikeouts and a walk Thursday in his first minor league rehab game with Double-A Harrisburg.

Ankiel was initially scheduled to play center field in the game, but was moved to DH to allow Mike Morse to play in the outfield. He's still expected to be activated for the Nationals' home opener on April 12.