The announcement was made by General Manager Ed Wade.  “We’re very pleased to have Doug back for 2009,” said Wade. “We had certain expectations when we signed Doug a year ago, and he met or exceeded every one of them. His presence on the mound, in the bullpen and in the clubhouse exudes professionalism and the competitive fire that championship teams need.”

Brocail, 41, was 7-5 with a 3.93 ERA (30ER/68.2IP) in a career-high 72 relief appearances with Houston in 2008. His 64 strikeouts last season were his most since a career-high 78 in 1999. Brocail held right-handed hitters to a .200 (31x155) batting average, which ranked as the sixth-lowest in the National League in 2008 (min. 150 AB).

The 14-season veteran is 51-48 with a 3.99 ERA (382ER/862.1IP) and nine saves in 606 career games. In 131 relief appearances during three seasons with Houston (1995-96, 2008), Brocail was 14-14 with a 4.21 ERA (93ER/199IP).