WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. -- The closer we get to the start of the regular season, the clearer the Astros' 26-man roster for Opening Day becomes. The projected roster has a little bit of a different look than when we last did this two weeks ago, primarily because Justin Verlander is headed to the injured list to start the season. Like has been the case in so many past springs, Houston came to camp with a deep and talented roster that had very few questions marks. There were a couple of jobs to be won on the bench and four bullpen spots were up for grabs thanks to the departures of three key relievers from last year and Kendall Graveman undergoing season-ending right shoulder surgery in January. With a little more than two weeks until Opening Day, here's the latest roster projection: Catcher (2): Yainer Diaz, Victor Caratini
Diaz finally gets his chance to take over as the team's starting catcher following the departure of veteran Martín Maldonado. The Astros signed switch-hitting veteran Caratini to be his backup, and both catchers have been getting in work with every pitcher on the staff. Astros manager Joe Espada said none of his starting pitchers will have a personal catcher. |
First baseman (1): José Abreu
Abreu is dealing with a sore right knee, but it doesn't appear to be anything that will keep him from being ready on Opening Day. Expect the Astros to use Abreu at DH a bit more this year to try to keep him off his feet. Second baseman (1): Jose Altuve
Altuve will likely end his career with the Astros after signing a five-year, $125 million contract extension that will take him through his age-39 season in 2029. He'll turn 34 in May and he shows no signs of slowing down, posting a .915 OPS in 90 games last season. |
Shortstop (1): Jeremy Peña
Peña overhauled his batting stance in the offseason to try to hit the ball in the air more. His 2023 numbers weren't too far from his stellar '22 campaign, except for a power drought in the second half of the season. Third baseman (1): Alex Bregman
Bregman started 161 games in the 2023 regular season, including 160 at third base, and he remains one of the best third basemen in baseball. Entering the final year of his contract, he'll be looking to make a splash before potentially hitting free agency. Outfielders (3): Chas McCormick, Jake Meyers, Kyle Tucker
McCormick will split time in left field with designated hitter Yordan Alvarez, opening room for Meyers to show what he can do in center. On days when Alvarez plays left, McCormick can easily slide to center. Tucker remains one of the best right fielders in the game. Designated hitter (1): Yordan Alvarez
One of baseball's most feared sluggers, Alvarez could play more left field this year, Espada said earlier this spring. Alvarez started 73 games at DH and 40 in left field last season, when he bashed 31 homers and drove in 97 runs in only 114 games (he missed six weeks with a right oblique injury). |
Bench/utility (3): Mauricio Dubón, Grae Kessinger, Jon Singleton
Dubón, a Gold Glove winner last year at the utility position, is a versatile player who can play second base, shortstop, first base, third base, left field and right field. Singleton, who is out of options, provides left-handed power off the bench and has likely won a spot, but he can play only first base. The Astros like Kessinger's versatility and steadiness on defense, giving him a leg up. Prospect Joey Loperfido has some inside the organization pushing for him to make the club, and Corey Julks has swung the bat well this spring. They're likely to begin the season at Triple-A Sugar Land, along with Trey Cabbage, who hasn't swung the bat very well this spring while striking out a lot. Starting pitchers (5): Framber Valdez, Cristian Javier, José Urquidy, Hunter Brown, J.P. France
With Verlander set to start the season on the injured list while he continues his throwing program, the rotation appears to be set, barring any additional injuries. This is the rotation that general manager Dana Brown said last week he anticipates would start the season, and the Astros are expected to go to a six-man rotation when they have long stretches without an off-day. Verlander is expected to return sometime in April. |
Relief pitchers (8): Josh Hader, Ryan Pressly, Rafael Montero, Dylan Coleman, Ronel Blanco, Bennett Sousa, Brandon Bielak, Seth Martinez Bryan Abreu, one of Houston's best relievers, will miss the first two games because of a suspension handed down in last year's ALDS, so he won't be on the Opening Day roster. Hader, Pressly and Montero are locks, and Sousa is probably a sure thing as a second lefty in the bullpen. Martinez has thrown the ball well this spring and he will be a key bullpen piece, while Bielak is out of options and can provide length. That leaves two spots -- Blanco has thrown the ball well this spring and Coleman has not. Still, the Astros love Coleman's stuff and he could grab the Opening Day bullpen spot that's available in Abreu's brief absence. |
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Everything you need to know about Sunday's Spring Breakout game between the Astros and the Cardinals at 9 a.m. CT in Jupiter, Fla., can be found here. MLB Spring Breakout is a four-day event showcasing baseball's future: the current stars of Minor League Baseball. The Astros will have 22 of their top 30 prospects as ranked by MLB Pipeline, including each of their top nine prospects, on their roster. |
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