WEST PALM BEACH, Fla — Nothing signals the start of a spring training schedule like a split-squad. The Houston Astros will open Grapefruit League play with one on Saturday morning, when one team will host the Washington Nationals at CACTI Park of the Palm Beaches and another will travel to Port St. Lucie to face the New York Mets.

For Houston Astros pitcher Ryan Gusto, last season was a dream and a disappontment all rolled into one. On Sept. 29, the Astros called him up from Triple-A Sugar Land. It was a reward for his best season as a pro player.

Training began in earnest last week and the Astros have already played a few spring games in Florida. It's still incredibly early, but it's never to early to look at some of the big storylines for the ballclub this spring.