Thatcher will compete with Darin Downs and Kevin Chapman this spring as the Astros' second left-hander out of the bullpen behind Tony Sipp. Thatcher, who signed a minor league deal with the Astros this winter, is the favorite of the three candidates to break camp with the team. Chapman is already on Houston's 40-man roster with minor league options remaining and Downs (not on the 40-man) is less likely to be snatched up by another team if he doesn't make the Opening Day roster. Spring performance will ultimately determine who wins this competition, but Thatcher has an apparent leg up and is further boosted by a strong track record (career 3.40 ERA) as an eight-year veteran in the league.