Astros' Jon Singleton: Won't make Opening Day roster
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The Astros have informed Singleton that he isn't going to be on the major-league roster to begin the season, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports.
Singleton struggled at the plate this spring, slashing .171/.239/.195 with no homers and 10 strikeouts over 46 at-bats. He had been in the running to back up Christian Walker at first base. With Singleton not slated to make the club, the door could be open for Zach Dezenzo to land an Opening Day roster spot.
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Astros' Chas McCormick: Being pressured for roster spot
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McCormick could be optioned to Triple-A Sugar Land to begin the season, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.
McCormick has slashed .161/.409/.290 across 31 Grapefruit League at-bats, leading Rome to describe McCormick's role as the team's starter in right field as "tenuous at best." Several alternatives also appear to be on the table, including a demotion to Triple-A Sugar Land or being pushed to a reserve role. If McCormick loses playing time, Zach Dezenzo or Cam Smith would benefit.
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Astros' Hayden Wesneski: X-rays negative
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X-rays on Wesneski's left foot came back negative Saturday, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports.
Wesneski took a comebacker off his foot during Thursday's contest, but he managed to come away from the incident with no significant damage. He's slated to throw a bullpen session Sunday, per Brian McTaggart of MLB.com, and the right-hander should be fine to make his next scheduled outing.
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Astros' Forrest Whitley: IL-bound to start 2025
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Manager Joe Espada confirmed Saturday that Whitley (knee) will start the season on the injured list, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports.
Whitley suffered a bone bruise in his left knee March 8 but has since resumed throwing, hitting 95 mph off flat ground Saturday, per Brian McTaggart of MLB.com. Whitley doesn't seem to be in any discomfort while throwing and will utilize his time on the injured list to make up for lost reps, which bodes well for his chances of returning after a minimum-length stay on the shelf.
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Astros' Kaleb Ort: Will land on IL
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Manager Joe Espada confirmed Saturday that Ort (oblique) will begin the season on the injured list, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports.
Ort has been out since mid-February dealing with a left oblique injury and is being brought along relatively slowly, as he only began throwing off a mound Thursday. Despite his slow progress, the Astros are still hopeful he'll be able to return before the end of April.
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Astros' Hayden Wesneski: Getting X-rays on foot
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Wesneski will undergo X-rays after being struck on the left foot by a comebacker in a minor-league game Thursday, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.
The X-rays seem to be precautionary, as Wesneski was spotted participating in drills Friday. Assuming testing doesn't uncover a more serious issue, the right-hander is slated to open the season as the Astros' fifth starter, an assignment that became more important when Luis Garcia was shut down Thursday after experiencing further soreness in his elbow.
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Astros' Christian Walker: Still on track for Opening Day
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Walker (oblique) will get at-bats in minor-league games this weekend and continue to play in minor-league contests when the Astros return to Houston. He remains on track to be ready for Opening Day, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.
Walker had appeared set to return to Grapefruit League action this weekend, but the Astros have elected to have him play in minor-league games instead. This will allow him to get more at-bats to make up for lost time and also gives the Astros the option to backdate an injured list stint, should he suffer a setback. Walker has played only four Grapefruit League contests due to left oblique soreness.
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Astros' Forrest Whitley: Likely to begin season on IL
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Whitley (knee) is not likely to be on the Astros' Opening Day roster, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports.
Whitley suffered the injury in a Grapefruit League game in mid-March and there has been no news of him resuming throwing or other baseball activities. However, general manager Dana Brown did say he expects Whitley to be available at some point in April.
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Astros' Kaleb Ort: Not likely for Opening Day roster
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Ort (oblique) is not likely to be on the Astros' Opening Day roster, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports.
Ort first suffered the injury early in spring training and has resumed throwing off a mound. While it's very likely he'll begin the season on the injured list, general manager Dana Brown said he expects Ort to return at some point in April
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Astros' Bennett Sousa: Optioned to Triple-A
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The Astros optioned Sousa to Triple-A Sugar Land on Thursday, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.
The left-handed reliever missed all of the 2024 campaign following thoracic outlet surgery. While Sousa was healthy this spring, he had a shaky Grapefruit League showing, allowing seven runs on 13 hits and three walks over 7.2 innings.
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Astros' Luis Garcia: Shut down with elbow soreness
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Garcia has been shut down due to soreness in his surgically repaired right elbow, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports.
Garcia had been scheduled to throw a live batting practice session Thursday, but that's been scrapped and he will be evaluated by doctors. The right-hander has encountered multiple bumps in the road in his comeback from May 2023 Tommy John surgery, suffering a couple setbacks last season and now another.
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Astros' Zach Dezenzo: Back in lineup Thursday
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Dezenzo (jaw) is in the lineup for Thursday's Grapefruit League game against the Marlins, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.
After being struck in the face by a groundball Tuesday, Dezenzo was diagnosed with a TMJ sprain. However, he was cleared of a concussion and will be able to make a quick turnaround, continuing his bid for a roster spot. The 24-year-old is having a great spring, batting .378 with three doubles, two homers and six RBI across 15 exhibition games.
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Astros' Ronel Blanco: Fine after early removal
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Blanco was removed from his start Wednesday against the Mets after getting struck by a line drive in the fourth inning, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.
Blanco didn't seem to be too shaken up following the incident, but he retreated to the clubhouse afterward and was replaced on the mound for the start of the fifth inning. He later said that the ball only grazed his wrist, per Rome, and the right-hander only left the game because he had reached his pitch count. The 31-year-old Blanco finished the day with three runs allowed in 3.2 innings, bringing his Grapefruit League ERA to 8.44.
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Astros' Zach Dezenzo: Expected to play Thursday
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Astros manager Joe Espada said Wednesday that Dezenzo (jaw) is expected to return to Grapefruit League action Thursday versus the Marlins, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.
Dezenzo suffered a TMJ sprain on the left side of his jaw after getting hit in the head by a groundball Tuesday. He will undergo concussion testing just to be safe, but the expectation is that he will be fine. Dezenzo is competing for a reserve role with Houston.
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Astros' Jose Altuve: Confirmed as primary left fielder
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Astros manager Joe Espada confirmed Wednesday that Altuve will play "most of his games" in left field this season, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.
Espada noted that it's possible personnel changes down the road alter this line of thinking, but for now the plan is to go into the season with Altuve as the club's everyday left fielder. It's no surprise, as Altuve has been focusing on left field since the beginning of camp and has played the position adequately enough that the team feels comfortable with him there. Mauricio Dubon is the favorite to open the season at Altuve's old second base position.
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Astros' Yordan Alvarez: Returns to lineup, as expected
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Alvarez (thumb) will start at designated hitter and bat third in Wednesday's Grapefruit League game against the Mets, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports.
Alvarez had to be scratched from Tuesday's lineup due to right thumb soreness, but it will be just a one-day absence. The slugger has yet to get going this spring, sporting a .493 OPS with one home run.
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Astros' Lance McCullers: Throws 13 pitches
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McCullers (forearm) threw one inning without allowing a hit or a run in Tuesday's Grapefruit League game against the Nationals.
McCullers took the mound for the first time since the 2022 World Series after working through several different arm injuries. He threw 13 pitches as a first step in what will likely remain a lengthy ramp up to return to big-league action. Nevertheless, it was a positive sign of his potential to make an impact with Houston in 2025.
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Astros' Zach Dezenzo: Suffers TMJ sprain
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Dezenzo was diagnosed with a TMJ sprain on the left side of his jaw after getting hit in the head by a groundball in Tuesday's Grapefruit League game against Washington, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.
Interestingly, Dezenzo's left side took the most damage even though he was hit on the right side of his face. The 24-year-old was also evaluated and cleared for a concussion, and he's slated to undergo further testing on his jaw Wednesday. Dezenzo has been great in spring training so far, slashing .378/.415/.615 with two homers and six RBI through 39 plate appearances.
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Astros' Zach Dezenzo: Hit in head, exits game
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Dezenzo exited Tuesday's Grapefruit League game against the Nationals after getting hit in the head by a groundball, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.
Dezenzo was able to walk off the field on his own, though he was visibly bothered by his jaw after getting hit. The Astros will take a look at him to make sure he didn't suffer any significant damage and should offer an update on his status relatively soon.
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Astros' Luis Garcia: Set for live BP on Thursday
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Garcia (elbow) will throw a live batting practice session Thursday, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.
Garcia has been slow-played in the Astros' camp after he encountered multiple setbacks last season while working his way back from Tommy John surgery. At last check, he was still working on regaining some zip on his fastball, and it's not clear where his velocity currently stands. When Garcia might be able to appear in games is a bit of a mystery, but he's getting closer.
