HOUSTON — The Houston Astros signed left-handed pitcher Mike Hampton to a one-year, $2 million contract, plus incentives on Wednesday. The announcement was made by General Manager Ed Wade.

“Mike provides an immediate upgrade to our starting rotation,” Wade said. “He averaged more than six innings a start over his last nine outings last year, and eight of those starts were quality starts. Mike is a fierce competitor and a great teammate. I suspect that he will be on a mission this season to be out there battling every fifth day. He makes us better.”

Hampton, 36, went 3-4 with a 4.85 ERA in 13 starts for the Atlanta Braves in 2008.

In 14 Major League seasons since 1993, Hampton owns a 141-105 record and a 4.01 ERA.

It will mark Hampton’s second stint and seventh season with Houston.

In six seasons with the Astros from 1994-99, Hampton was 69-40 with a 3.40 ERA and 693 strikeouts in 195 games. Hampton led the National League in wins in 1999 with 22 and became the first left-handed 20-game winner in Houston history. His 2.90 ERA in 1999 helped the All-Star finish second in the Cy Young voting.