KISSIMMEE, Fla. -- Last year, Doug Fister had a season to forget with the Nationals. When he didn't get the job done as a starter, he was put in the bullpen as a long man in August. It didn't help that Fister was dealing with injuries during the first half of the season.
Fister said he spent the offseason with a physical therapist who was able to get him healthy for 2016, and he signed a one-year, $7 million deal with the Astros. Fister allowed one run to the Nationals over three innings during Washington's 4-2 win on Tuesday.
"I'm happy with where I'm at right now. … I'm excited to be [in Houston]," Fister said.
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Fister was at his best with the Nationals in 2014. He was arguably the club's best pitcher, going 16-6 with a 2.41 ERA. The right-hander doesn't have any hard feelings toward the Nationals. He said facing them was like any other day at the ballpark, and he wasn't surprised that catcher Jose Lobaton picked up an RBI single off him in the second inning. The two were teammates for two years.
"After being traded a few times, you are used to playing old teammates," Fister said. "It's always a good challenge to face guys that know you and know what you are going to do."