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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.
Trey Cabbage Trey Cabbage Lands with Astros in trade Wed, Jan 31, 2024, 2:30 PM The Astros acquired Cabbage from the Angels on Wednesday in exchange for Carlos Espinosa. Analysis: Cabbage had been designated for assignment over the week and now has a new home. The 26-year-old was one of just two minor leaguers to go 30-30 in 2023, collecting 30 home runs and 32 stolen bases at Triple-A Salt Lake. There's lots of swing-and-miss in his game, though, as he fanned at a 30 percent rate at Salt Lake and a whopping 46.4 percent rate during his brief time with the Angels. Cabbage will provide depth at first base and in the outfield.
Drew Strotman Drew Strotman Catches on with Houston Mon, Jan 29, 2024, 1:05 PM Strotman signed a minor-league contract with the Astros on Monday, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports. Analysis: Once a prized pitching prospect in the Rays organization whom the Twins acquired along with Joe Ryan in the deal that sent Nelson Cruz to Tampa Bay in July 2021, Strotman has since bounced around. After being dropped from the Twins' 40-man roster in September 2022, Strotman caught on with the Rangers and then the Giants last offseason. He spent the entire 2023 campaign with the Giants' Triple-A affiliate in Sacramento, logging a 6.47 ERA and 1.84 WHIP over 97.1 innings. Though Strotman will get the chance to compete for a spot on the Astros' Opening Day roster, he'll most likely serve as a swingman at Triple-A Sugar Land to begin the 2024 season.
Joel Kuhnel Joel Kuhnel Returns to Astros as NRI Mon, Jan 29, 2024, 1:03 PM Kuhnel signed a minor-league contract with the Astros on Monday that includes an invitation to spring training, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports. Analysis: Kuhnel elected free agency after being jettisoned from the Astros' 40-man roster earlier this month, but he'll return on a non-guaranteed deal. The big right-hander has put up a 6.02 ERA and 71:24 K:BB over 83.2 innings during parts of four big-league seasons.
Matt Gage Matt Gage Jettisoned from 40-man roster Mon, Jan 22, 2024, 2:46 PM Gage was designated for assignment by the Astros on Monday, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports. Analysis: The move was made in order to free up a spot on the 40-man roster for the addition of Josh Hader. Gage, who turns 31 next month, has held a 1.83 ERA and 20:9 K:BB over 19.2 innings at the major-league level and posted a 4.58 ERA and 39:20 K:BB across 37.1 frames at Triple-A Sugar Land in 2023.
Ryan Pressly Ryan Pressly In line for setup role Sat, Jan 20, 2024, 6:45 PM Pressly is expected to serve in a setup role for the Astros following the signing of Josh Hader, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports. Analysis: Manager Joe Espada declined to name a closer when asked Saturday at the team's FanFest event. However, Rome writes of Espada that he "sounded like a manager who will eventually name a standalone closer," and that's fully expected to be Hader. The team spoke to Pressly before agreeing to terms with Hader and Pressly is "all in" on the move, per Espada. Pressly should still be rosterable in deep leagues even in a setup role, but clearly his fantasy stock is way down following the Hader move.
Lance McCullers Jr. Lance McCullers Jr. Targeting late-summer return Sat, Jan 20, 2024, 11:37 AM McCullers (forearm) said Saturday that he expects to return toward the end of the summer, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports. Analysis: McCullers missed all of 2023 while dealing with a right forearm injury and opted to undergo surgery to repair a torn flexor tendon in June. McCullers resumed throwing on flat ground from 80 feet out during the offseason and has yet to run into any issues. The 30-year-old righty still has a long way to go in his rehab process, but he could provide a significant boost to Houston's rotation or give the team another multi-inning relief option late in the season.
Josh Hader Josh Hader Signs with Astros Fri, Jan 19, 2024, 2:07 PM Hader signed a five-year, $95 million contract with the Astros on Friday, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports. Analysis: Coming off a phenomenal season in which Hader logged a 1.28 ERA and 1.10 WHIP through 56.1 innings while racking up 33 saves, the 29-year-old southpaw will join the Astros on the most lucrative deal for a reliever in MLB history, based on present-day value. This will be Hader's second stint with the Astros organization -- he spent roughly two years in Houston's farm system before being traded to the Brewers in 2015. He will almost certainly take over as the Astros' primary closer, moving Ryan Pressly into a setup role.