Rick Ankiel will be a non-roster invitee in spring training with the Astros.

The pitcher-turned-hitter has hit 69 homers in 1,793 career Major League at-bats with the Cardinals, Royals, Braves and Nationals.

"He can play all three outfield positions," Jeff Luhnow said. "He's got a plus-plus arm and plays good defensively. He's a left-handed power bat. In my time I overlapped with him at the Cardinals, he was a very special player. He had big-time power at Triple-A and got promoted to the big leagues and showed that power there. He's been inconsistent the last few years, but we really feel like this is a guy we want to take a chance on. He’ll come into camp looking to make the club."