Houston Astros
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Jose Altuve
Jose Altuve Could get reps in left field
Tue, Jan 28, 2025, 5:24 PM
Astros general manager Dana Brown said Tuesday that Altuve could get some reps in left field in addition to second base this season, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.
Analysis: Brown added the caveat that Altuve playing left field might only happen if the team makes another roster addition. It's clear he's referring to the possibility of re-signing Alex Bregman, which would result in Isaac Paredes shifting to second base and Altuve playing left field, a position he's never manned before. Altuve said recently at the team's FanFest event that he would be willing to move to left field to accommodate the return of Bregman.
Bryan Lavastida
Bryan Lavastida Links up with Houston
Tue, Jan 28, 2025, 3:05 PM
The Astros signed Lavastida to a minor-league contract Jan. 16.
Analysis: Lavastida, 26, put up a .722 OPS with eight homers and 27 stolen bases at Triple-A Columbus in the Guardians organization in 2024. The catcher got a cup of coffee in the majors in 2022 and is simply a depth addition by Houston.
Zach Dezenzo
Zach Dezenzo Will play left field this spring
Mon, Jan 27, 2025, 2:52 PM
Astros manager Joe Espada said Saturday at the team's FanFest event that Dezenzo will play a lot in left field during spring training, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.
Analysis: An infielder by trade, Dezenzo's experience in left field is limited, though he did start three games there last season at Triple-A Sugar Land and played eight games in the outfield in the Puerto Rican Winter League. Left field currently looks to be Dezenzo's best shot at playing time with the Astros, although that could change if Jose Altuve moves there to accommodate the signing of Alex Bregman.
Cristian Javier
Cristian Javier Targeting return after ASB
Sun, Jan 26, 2025, 9:01 PM
Javier (elbow) said during an Astros FanFest event Saturday that he's targeting to return from the injured list after the All-Star break, Ari Alexander of KPRC 2 Houston reports.
Analysis: It's not exactly new information as GM Dana Brown provided a similar timeline, but it's notable that he remains on track nearly four months later. Javier underwent Tommy John surgery last June, so it would be a relatively quick recovery if he's able to return in July.
Lance McCullers Jr.
Lance McCullers Jr. Will miss Opening Day
Sat, Jan 25, 2025, 5:56 PM
General manager Dana Brown said Saturday that McCullers (forearm) will not be ready for the start of the regular season, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.
Analysis: McCullers recently returned to throwing off a mound and still hopes to return early in the year, but it now appears that he will begin the season on the injured list for the third time in a row. The 31-year-old righty hasn't appeared in an MLB game since the 2022 World Series after undergoing surgery in June 2023 to repair his right flexor tendon and remove a bone spur.
Luis Garcia
Luis Garcia Won't return by Opening Day
Sat, Jan 25, 2025, 5:42 PM
General manager Dana Brown said Saturday that Garcia (elbow) will not be ready for Opening Day, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.
Analysis: Garcia missed all of last year after undergoing Tommy John surgery in May 2023, and he was pulled off a rehab assignment twice due to multiple instances of elbow soreness. He managed to resume throwing live batting practice by the end of the season and hasn't experienced any problems since then, but it seems the Astros are going to be extremely cautious in getting him ready for the 2025 campaign. It's unclear exactly how far the 28-year-old's absence will extend into the regular season.
Yordan Alvarez
Yordan Alvarez Ready to roll for spring training
Fri, Jan 24, 2025, 12:38 AM
Alvarez said Thursday that he is 100 percent healthy heading into the 2025 season, Ari Alexander of KPRC 2 Houston reports.
Analysis: Alvarez disclosed that he injured his right knee toward the end of the 2024 season. He originally thought he might need surgery to correct the issue, though he ultimately rested and is now fully recovered. Alvarez reports that he is ready to hit and field for the start of spring training.
Brandon Bielak
Brandon Bielak Could be headed for rotation
Wed, Feb 14, 2024, 9:30 PM
Bielak could be in consideration for a rotation spot to begin the regular season, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.
Analysis: The Astros were hit with injuries to both Justin Verlander (shoulder) and J.P. France (shoulder) to start spring training. Depending on their availability to begin the regular season, Houston could immediately be reliant upon depth in their pitching staff. Bielak would likely be at the top of the list, as he made 13 major-league starts last season and is also out of minor-league options.
Ryan Pressly
Ryan Pressly Confirmed as setup man
Wed, Feb 14, 2024, 9:53 AM
Astros manager Joe Espada confirmed Wednesday that Pressly will serve as a setup man when Josh Hader is available to close games, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports.
Analysis: When the Astros announced Hader's signing to a five-year, $95 million deal in late January, general manager Dana Brown was initially evasive when asked to define the roles of the team's relievers, though the prevailing assumption was that Hader -- a five-time All-Star -- would take over as Houston's full-time closer. Espada put to rest any thought that the Astros might opt for a two-pronged approach to the ninth inning, despite Pressly's strong track record as Houston's primary closer for the past four seasons. Pressly had already begun to show signs of skills degradation in 2023 -- his 3.58 ERA, 3.61 xERA and 21.6 K-BB% last season were all his worst marks of his five full seasons in Houston -- but the 35-year-old still profiles as a reliable setup man in front of Hader and a capable fill-in closer on the occasions Hader isn't available. Even so, the lack of reliable save opportunities moving forward largely limits Pressly's fantasy appeal to deeper leagues or AL-only leagues.
J.P. France
J.P. France Battling shoulder inflammation
Wed, Feb 14, 2024, 9:43 AM
Astros general manager Dana Brown said Wednesday that France is dealing with shoulder inflammation, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports.
Analysis: While it's less than ideal that France is nursing an injury in the early stages of spring training, Brown didn't express much concern, noting that the right-hander hasn't been shut down from throwing and is still able to play catch. France is likely to gradually stretch out his throwing distance before advancing to mound work in the weeks to come, but the shoulder injury is still likely to delay his Grapefruit League debut. So long as France is fully stretched out by the end of camp, he could still head into Opening Day with a spot in Houston's rotation.
Josh Hader
Josh Hader Officially named Houston closer
Wed, Feb 14, 2024, 9:43 AM
Astros manager Joe Espada said Wednesday that Hader will be the team's closer this season, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.
Analysis: There didn't seem to be much doubt after Hader signed a five-year, $95 million contract last month, but Espada made it official after speaking to both Hader and Ryan Pressly on Tuesday. Pressly could net the occasional save on days when Hader is unavailable, but clearly his fantasy outlook takes a major hit. Hader collected a 1.28 ERA and 85:30 K:BB over 56.1 innings while recording 33 saves for the Padres in 2023.
Justin Verlander
Justin Verlander Behind schedule in spring
Wed, Feb 14, 2024, 8:25 AM
Verlander said Wednesday that he's "a couple weeks behind" schedule after his right shoulder didn't bounce back as hoped during his offseason throwing program, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports.
Analysis: Verlander referred to his ongoing recovery as a "hiccup" rather than a setback and added that he's thrown three bullpen sessions as he ramps back up. Though Verlander seems confident the shoulder issue isn't a major concern, the veteran right-hander notably missed the first five weeks of last season with a shoulder problem that developed during spring training. The Astros haven't outlined a timeline for when Verlander might be ready to pitch in a Grapefruit League game.
Jose Abreu
Jose Abreu Workload could be managed
Tue, Feb 13, 2024, 9:05 PM
Abreu could receive more days off, or see more time at DH during the 2024 season, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports.
Analysis: Abreu had a disappointing 2023 campaign-- his first in Houston -- as he posted a career-worst 86 wRC+ and .295 wOBA. At least a portion of his struggles have been apportioned to a back injury that he dealt with for much of the season and played through until a stint on the injured list in mid-August. The Astros appear to be taking a proactive approach to managing Abreu's workload in 2024, though it's currently unclear if that means he will lose at-bats, or if it just means that he will shift to DH. In either scenario, Jon Singleton or Trey Cabbage could pick up some extra plate appearances.
Yordan Alvarez
Yordan Alvarez Could play more in LF
Fri, Feb 9, 2024, 12:52 PM
Astros manager Joe Espada said Thursday that he hopes to play Alvarez more in left field this season, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports.
Analysis: Alvarez made 40 starts in left field last season (versus 73 at designated hitter), but his playing time in left tapered off in the second half after he came back from an oblique injury. The slugger is still expected to be Houston's primary DH in 2024, but Espada also wants to use the spot occasionally to give other regulars a break from playing the field. One of Chas McCormick or Jake Meyers will likely be on the bench on days Alvarez plays left field.
Jon Singleton
Jon Singleton Could land on Opening Day roster
Wed, Feb 7, 2024, 11:24 PM
Singleton is out of minor-league options and could have the first chance on the big-league roster as a result, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.
Analysis: Singleton had a standout game in which he hit two home runs and drove in five on Aug. 11, but his 105-plate appearance sample in the majors last year was otherwise unproductive. He maintained just a .165/.267/.264 line, though his 0.57 BB/K and .194 BABIP suggest he may have deserved better results. Singleton's most direct competition for a spot on the roster is likely to be the recently acquired Trey Cabbage.
Alex Bregman
Alex Bregman Houston will make extension offer
Wed, Feb 7, 2024, 11:37 AM
Astros owner Jim Crane said in an interview with Jerome Solomon of the Houston Chronicle this week that the team will "definitely" make Bregman a contract extension offer before he reaches free agency next offseason.
Analysis: For what it's worth, Crane was asked about Bregman's contract situation prior to the club announcing Jose Altuve's five-year, $125 million extension. Bregman is nearly four years younger than Altuve and seems inclined at this juncture to test out the free-agent market, so a long-term deal doesn't appear terribly likely. The third baseman slashed .262/.363/.441 with 25 home runs and 98 RBI for Houston in 2023.
Jose Altuve
Jose Altuve Signs five-year extension
Tue, Feb 6, 2024, 5:36 PM
Altuve signed a five-year, $125 million contract extension with the Astros on Tuesday, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.
Analysis: Altuve's extension ensures he will remain as Houston's second baseman through the 2029 season. Altuve slashed .311/.393/.522 with 17 homers and 51 RBI across 410 plate appearances last season while stealing 14 bags. He missed a significant amount of time at the beginning of the year due to a fractured right thumb and later battled an oblique injury, but the 33-year-old has shown no signs of slowing down entering his 14th big-league campaign.
Mauricio Dubon
Mauricio Dubon Wins arbitration hearing
Tue, Feb 6, 2024, 11:33 AM
Dubon will make $3.5 million in 2024 after winning his arbitration hearing with the Astros on Monday, Ari Alexander of KPRC 2 Houston reports.
Analysis: Houston had offered $3 million. Dubon earned the substantial salary bump after slashing .278/.309/.411 with 10 home runs and seven stolen bases over 132 games for the Astros in 2023. He played seven different positions last year and is in line for a super-utility role again in 2024.
Hunter Brown
Hunter Brown Working on traditional slider
Sat, Feb 3, 2024, 12:50 PM
Brown is adding a slider to his pitch mix this offseason, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.
Analysis: Brown had an excellent start to his rookie season in 2023 but faded down the stretch while posting a 6.57 ERA across the second half of the year. He attributed some of those struggles to fatigue, though he also served up 1.9 HR/9 to right-handed hitters. While he threw a cut-slider and also experimented with a sweeper, Brown is working on a traditional slider that projects to have more of a velocity gap compared to his fastball. If he incorporates that into his pitch mix effectively, he should have more success neutralizing right-handed bats.
Declan Cronin
Declan Cronin Removed from 40-man roster
Wed, Jan 31, 2024, 2:37 PM
Cronin was designated for assignment by the Astros on Wednesday, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.
Analysis: Cronin will lose his spot on the 40-man roster in favor of Trey Cabbage, who was acquired via trade. The 26-year-old was a waiver claim from the White Sox earlier this month and he'll now go through the waiver process again.

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