[Batpuff]

KISSIMMEE, Fla. -- Jeff Bagwell has reached a point where he is physically unable to play and announced on Saturday that he will not begin the season with the Houston Astros when they open April 3.



Bagwell will begin the year on the disabled list and work to make a comeback later in the season.

Bagwell, 37, has spent the spring attempting to make a comeback from shoulder surgery he underwent last June. While he never worried about his hitting, the true test was in the area of throwing and being able to play his position at first base on an everyday basis.

Bagwell suffered two setbacks recently, pulling himself from games early because of soreness.

Bagwell is owed $17 million in 2006, the final year of his contract. The club holds an option for 2007. The Astros are attempting to collect $15.6 million of Bagwell's final salary from an insurance company, but Bagwell will have to stay on the DL all season for the Astros to have a chance to collect.

Lance Berkman will move to first base in Bagwell's place, which clears a space for Willy Taveras in the outfield. He'll play center, while Preston Wilson will move to left and Jason Lane will play right.

Even if Bagwell never plays again, his career has been nothing short of outstanding. A four-time All-Star, Bagwell is the club's all-time leader with 449 home runs and 1,529 RBIs. He is second behind only Craig Biggio in hits with 2,314.

Bagwell ranks 52nd all-time on the MLB list with 1,517 runs scored and is tied for 51st in doubles. His 449 home runs is tied for 28th, with Gary Sheffield.

Bagwell has battled a degenerative condition ever since his 2001 surgery to repair a torn labrum in his right shoulder. He played effectively from 2002-04, appearing in 158, 160 and 156 games, respectively.

However, in 2005, his condition worsened to the point where he had no choice but to go on the DL. He went on the 15-day DL on May 4 and had surgery a month later to release the capsule in his shoulder. He missed 115 games and was activated Sept. 9, serving as a pinch-hitter. Bagwell appeared in seven postseason games, including two in the World Series as a designated hitter.