CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — Aaron Boone is back playing baseball, appearing in a minor league game in Texas less than five months after open-heart surgery.

Boone batted second Monday night for the Corpus Christi Hooks, a Double-A affiliate of the Houston Astros. He swung at the first pitch and popped up to the first baseman in foul territory.
He was scheduled to play five innings at third base against Midland. The 36-year-old Boone had an operation in late March because of a congenital defect in his aortic valve.
Boone, a member of one of baseball’s most famous families, signed with the Astros in the offseason. He hit a pennant-winning homer for the Yankees in the 11th inning of Game 7 of the 2003 AL championship series.
The son of former big league catcher Bob Boone, Aaron Boone is also grandson of infielder Ray Boone. Aaron’s brother, Bret, played 14 seasons in the major leagues, too.
Aaron Boone is trying to play in his 12th major league season, possibly when rosters expand in September. He has previously played for Cincinnati, the New York Yankees, Cleveland, Florida and Washington.