<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/mlb/houston-astros/astros-news-luis-garcia-injury-update');   ga('set', 'title', 'Why Astros’ Luis Garcia has been ‘shut down from throwing’');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Astros-Luis-Garcia-throwing.jpg"><figcaption>Sam Navarro-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><h1>Why Astros’ Luis Garcia has been ‘shut down from throwing’</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-04-03T10:53:36-07:00">April 3rd, 10:53am</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-04-03T10:53:53-07:00">April 3rd, 10:53am</time><address><a>Quinn Allen</a>Quinn Allen is a Senior Associate Editor with ClutchPoints. He specializes mainly in soccer, basketball, and baseball. When Quinn isn't producing content for CP,  he's writing sports betting predictions for numerous sites across North America.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Houston Astros</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>Houston Astros right-hander Luis Garcia has <a href="https://x.com/brianmctaggart/status/1907840659106512958" rel="noopener">suffered yet another setback</a> in his <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mlb/astros-news-luis-garcia-undergo-tommy-john-surgery">return from Tommy John surgery.</a></p><p>The team shut down Garcia on March 20 due to elbow soreness in his throwing arm, and a recent MRI showed inflammation. He’s shut down from throwing indefinitely.</p><p>Via Brian McTaggart:</p><p>“RHP Luis Garcia received an MRI, and it revealed inflammation in his right elbow. He is shut down from throwing and will be reevaluated in four weeks.”</p><p>Another brutal update for Garcia. He had the operation in May of 2023 and has dealt with numerous setbacks since then. The righty was on a minor league assignment last summer but felt soreness in his elbow. The Astros had him face hitters in September, but he was shut down once again.</p><p>As McTaggart said, Houston will reevaluate Garcia in four weeks and see where he’s at. When healthy, the 28-year-old has been an effective starter in the Astros’ rotation. He made 56 starts between 2021 and 2022, compiling a 3.60 ERA. Garcia only made five appearances in ’23 before tearing his UCL, ultimately leading to surgery.</p><p>Honestly, considering he’ll be shut down for a minimum of four weeks, it feels unlikely Garcia will be back on the mound for the Astros in the first half. Barring any more setbacks, post-All-Star break seems realistic. He’ll need to begin a throwing program again, ramp up to live BP, then eventually, face hitters in games in the minors.</p><p>While this is far from ideal for Garcia, the Astros’ rotation will be fine. <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mlb/astros-news-lance-mccullers-jr-injury-return-2025-update">Lance McCullers Jr is finally healthy</a> and should be back soon. He’s on a rehab assignment in the minors right now. Framber Valdez, Hunter Brown, and Spencer Arrighetti headline the staff, followed by Ronel Blanco and Hayden Wesnecki.</p><p>Houston is off to a 2-4 start and will face the Minnesota Twins this afternoon at Target Field.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Why Astros’ Luis Garcia has been ‘shut down from throwing’

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/mlb/houston-astros/astros-news-houston-roster-move-blue-jays-trade');   ga('set', 'title', 'Astros make unfortunate roster move after Blue Jays trade');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Houston-makes-unfortunate-roster-move-after-Blue-Jays-trade.jpg"></figure><h1>Astros make unfortunate roster move after Blue Jays trade</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-04-02T12:25:56-07:00">April 2nd, 12:25pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-04-02T21:51:44-07:00">April 2nd, 9:51pm</time><address><a>Zachary Draves</a>Zachary Draves is a sportswriter and broadcaster based in the Quad Cities of Illinois and Iowa. Zachary covers a variety of different sports as well as sports history, sport and society, and sport and culture. He is also a professor of sociology.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Houston Astros</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>It’s almost been a year since <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mlb/houston-astros/astros-news-cristian-javier-gets-dealt-crushing-tommy-john-surgery-update">Houston Astros pitcher Cristian Javier underwent Tommy John surgery</a>. As the <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mlb/houston-astros/astros-news-cristian-javier-injury-return-timeline">Astros set a timeline for his return</a> before the All-Star break, his absence is being felt.</p><p>On Wednesday, the Astros moved Javier to the 60-day injured list to fill a roster spot, per Jake Elman of Athlon Sports. As a result, they <a href="https://athlonsports.com/mlb/astros-announce-roster-move-cristian-javier-trade-blue-jays" rel="noopener">acquired reliever</a> Nick Robertson from the Toronto Blue Jays after trading a prospect. Edinson Batista.</p><p>Robertson was drafted by the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2019 as a seventh-round pick. He has a career ERA of 5.30, pitched 40 games, and has 40 strikeouts. Before joining Toronto, he had previous stints with the Boston Red Sox and St. Louis Cardinals.</p><p>Javier has been in the league since 2020. He has an overall record of 33-18, 564 strikeouts, and an ERA of 3.59.</p><p>Before his injury, Javier went 3-1 with a 3.89 ERA in seven innings pitched.</p><p>The Astros’ resorting to this strategy conveys the precarious position they are in.</p><h2><b>The void left by Cristian Javier</b></h2><p>Javier was a catalyst for the Astros’ pitching rotation during the 2022 and 2023 seasons. During the ’22 season, Javier compiled a record of 11-9 with a 2.54 ERA in 30 games. He was also a significant factor in the postseason.</p><p>Javier struck out 16 and gave up one run in 12.2 innings pitched, and the Astros went on to win the World Series over the Philadelphia Phillies in six games.</p><p>The next season, Javier finished with a record of 10-5 with a 4.56 ERA. The Astros won the AL West and made it back to the postseason.</p><p>In the ’23 ALCS against the Texas Rangers, the signs of trouble brewing were there.</p><p>Javier didn’t make it out of the first inning, and the Astros lost to the eventual World Series champions that year. The following year, he needed to undergo surgery.</p><p>The empty space left by Javier is quite obvious, considering what he has accomplished for the Astros in the last few years. If the Astros can get him back as scheduled, the recovery process will still be long, but the void at least will start to close.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Astros make unfortunate roster move after Blue Jays trade

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/mlb/houston-astros/astros-news-lance-mccullers-jr-injury-return-2025-update');   ga('set', 'title', 'Astros’ Lance McCullers Jr. getting closer to injury return');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Astros-news-Lance-McCullers-Jr.-getting-closer-to-injury-return.jpg"></figure><h1>Astros’ Lance McCullers Jr. getting closer to injury return</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-04-01T16:54:29-07:00">April 1st, 4:54pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-04-01T16:54:29-07:00">April 1st, 4:54pm</time><address><a href="https://www.facebook.com/joey.mistretta/" rel="facebook">Joey Mistretta</a>Joey Mistretta is a Dallas Mavericks beat reporter, Dallas Wings beat reporter and lead MLB editor for ClutchPoints. He is originally from Lake Arrowhead, California. Mistretta graduated from Biola University with a degree in broadcast journalism.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Houston Astros</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>Houston Astros starting pitcher <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mlb/astros-news-lance-mccullers-jr-injury-comeback-going-much-better-luis-garcia">Lance McCullers Jr. is still recovering</a> from surgery on his throwing arm. The right-handed hurler is <a href="https://x.com/brianmctaggart/status/1907191309850341384" rel="noopener">reportedly trending in a promising direction</a>, however, per Brian McTaggart of MLB.com.</p><p>“Astros pitcher Lance McCullers Jr. will make his second rehab start Saturday for Double-A Corpus Christi at Frisco,” McTaggart wrote on X, formerly Twitter.</p><p>McCullers is reportedly set to make his second rehab start. It remains to be seen how many rehab starts McCullers will require before joining the big league ball club, but his return to the Astros could come sooner rather than later if no setbacks occur.</p><p>The <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mlb/astros-news-joe-espada-lance-mccullers-jr-prediction">Astros are hoping to have McCullers available</a> for a respectable amount of the 2025 season. Houston will understandably proceed with caution in reference to McCullers’ return, though. The 31-year-old has not pitched at the MLB level since 2022.</p><h2><b>Lance McCullers Jr. hoping to impact Astros during 2025 season</b></h2><p>McCullers’ injuries have been unfortunate to say the least. He earned an All-Star selection in 2017 and continued to display signs of becoming one of the better starting pitchers in the game in the following seasons.</p><p>Could McCullers still establish himself as a reliable MLB pitcher? Absolutely, but bouncing back from injuries is already a difficult thing to do. Trying to rebound after not pitching at the big league level for multiple years is even more challenging.</p><p>The Astros clearly still have belief in Lance McCullers Jr. Houston could have moved in a different direction, but they are not giving up on the 2017 All-Star.</p><p>The Astros have endured a rather mediocre start to the ’25 campaign. Houston holds a 2-2 record as of this story’s writing. The team has plenty of uncertainty this year, but counting the Astros out is always a risky thing to do.</p><p>Tuesday night’s first pitch for the Giants-Astros contest is scheduled for 8:10 PM EST.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Astros’ Lance McCullers Jr. getting closer to injury return

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/mlb/houston-astros/astros-news-giants-justin-verlander-pulls-back-curtain-houston-departure');   ga('set', 'title', 'Giants’ Justin Verlander pulls back curtain on Astros departure');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Giants-Justin-Verlander-pulls-back-curtain-on-Houston-departure.jpg"></figure><h1>Giants’ Justin Verlander pulls back curtain on Astros departure</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-04-01T09:00:56-07:00">April 1st, 9:00am</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-04-01T09:00:56-07:00">April 1st, 9:00am</time><address><a>Ryan Bologna</a>Ryan Bologna is an author at ClutchPoints. He studied journalism and communication at UConn.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Houston Astros</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>Veteran starting pitcher <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mlb/san-francisco-giants/giants-news-justin-verlander-1-year-deal-san-francisco">Justin Verlander landed with the San Francisco Giants</a> on a one-year, $15 million deal this offseason, departing the Houston Astros, the team he was with since he was traded from the Detroit Tigers in 2017. Verlander <a href="https://www.houstonchronicle.com/sports/astros/article/justin-verlander-offseason-talks-giants-20250847.php" rel="noopener">opened up on the process of leaving</a> the Astros and his conversations with owner Jim Crane before signing with the Giants as he returned to Houston on Monday.</p><p>“I was talking with Jim a lot,” Justin Verlander said, via Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle. “There was interest. It just kind of got to the point where the Giants really came after me hard and Jim was like, ‘We’re not even in a place to make an offer right now.’ So, I appreciated the candidness. That was kind of that for me.”</p><p>Ultimately, the Astros decided to move on. It is not too surprising, given that Verlander was left out of the playoff rotation in 2024. However, it appears that they did have some level of interest in bringing him back for 2025. The timing just did not work out.</p><p>The Astros made several big decisions this offseason, with the trade of Kyle Tucker sticking out as the main one, but the departure of Alex Bregman to the Boston Red Sox was notable as well. Verlander’s departure was not as significant as the other two, but he was a staple of the organization, helping it win two World Series titles during his time.</p><p>Now, Verlander is hoping to contribute to a Giants team that does have talent. He joins a <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mlb/san-francisco-giants/giants-news-how-logan-webb-helped-justin-verlander-prepare-for-spring-training-debut">pitching staff that does have potential</a>, and his home park should be more friendly to him. Although Verlander is not pitching in the Giants’ series against the Astros, it is still somewhat of a homecoming for him this week. The Giants look to take game two of the series after a 7-2 victory on Monday.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Giants’ Justin Verlander pulls back curtain on Astros departure

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/mlb/houston-astros/astros-news-dontrelle-willis-oil-money-framber-valdez');   ga('set', 'title', 'Why World Series champ wants Astros to find ‘oil money’ for Framber Valdez');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Why-World-Series-champ-wants-Astros-to-find-oil-money-for-Framber-Valdez.jpg"></figure><h1>Why World Series champ wants Astros to find ‘oil money’ for Framber Valdez</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-03-30T21:51:20-07:00">March 30th, 9:51pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-03-30T21:51:20-07:00">March 30th, 9:51pm</time><address><a>Tristin McKinstry</a>Tristin McKinstry is an experienced sports writer who got his start back in 2014. He is a Senior Editor with ClutchPoints and is one of the staff's NHL experts. Tristin has worked professionally with The Inquisitr and GIVEMESPORT in the past, and his work has also been featured on Last Word On Sports, XFL News Hub, and USFL News Hub. He is currently pursuing a Bachelor's degree in Communications at Southern New Hampshire University.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Houston Astros</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>The <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/betting/mets-astros-prediction-odds-pick-3-27-2025">Houston Astros sent Framber Valdez to the mound</a> on Opening Day against the New York Mets. <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mlb/new-york-mets/mets-news-juan-soto-100-real-debut">Valdez spoiled Juan Soto’s Mets debut</a> on Opening Day as he helped Houston defeat New York by a score of 3-1. The Houston ace seems set for another great season in 2025. And it is coming at the right time, as well.</p><p>Valdez is playing through a contract year. The Astros ace will likely command a sizeable contract if he hits the open market this winter. However, former World Series champion Dontrelle Willis believes the team should do <a href="https://www.chron.com/sports/astros/article/dontrelle-willis-framber-valdez-pitchers-20246688.php" rel="noopener">whatever it takes</a> to prevent this from happening.</p><p>“Sell some brisket, do whatever you gotta do, to me, you can’t lose him,” Willis told Chron writer Leah Vann. “The way he goes up against some of those arms in Seattle… and vision like that. You have to have someone who throws strikes that can miss back, especially in this ballpark where I’ve given up a lot of home runs in that Crawford Boxes… So, nah, they’ll find some oil money. They’ll find something for him to keep him in an Astros’ uniform.”</p><h2><b>Astros’ Framber Valdez could be motivated by contract year</b></h2><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Framber-Valdez-on-Opening-Day.jpg"><figcaption>Thomas Shea-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><p>Valdez is going to play a major role in Houston’s success in 2025. <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mlb/3-astros-blame-wild-card-sweep-hands-tigers">The Astros were eliminated by the Detroit Tigers</a> in the AL Wild Card Series last season. They shuffled the roster around over the course of the offseason. And they hope the moves made can help them return to postseason success.</p><p>Playing on a contract year can be rather stressful. You aren’t sure of your immediate future pass this season. And there is a ton of pressure on you to perform at a high level. Failing to do so could cost you money. However, Willis believes Valdez can withstand the pressure and contribute to his team.</p><p>“In the back of your mind, you want to be successful every year,” Willis said, via Vann. “But a contract year, I mean, you want to be able to make the most money and be as successful as you can. From what I’ve learned from people around him, cool and collected, and that’s why he does so well in big games.</p><p>Valdez is 1-0 in 2025 after a great performance against the Mets. Houston also won its opening series against the Boston Red Sox, as well. The Astros will send their ace back to the mound on Wednesday when they play host to the San Francisco Giants for a three-game set.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Why World Series champ wants Astros to find ‘oil money’ for Framber Valdez

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/mlb/houston-astros/astros-news-jeremy-pena-reveals-new-teammates-fit-culture');   ga('set', 'title', 'Jeremy Pena reveals how new Astros teammates fit into Houston’s culture');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Jeremy-Pena-reveals-how-new-Texas-teammates-fit-into-Houstons-culture.jpg"></figure><h1>Jeremy Pena reveals how new Astros teammates fit into Houston’s culture</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-03-29T23:57:37-07:00">March 29th, 11:57pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-03-30T00:09:05-07:00">March 30th, 12:09am</time><address><a>Mike Gianakos</a>Mike Gianakos is the former editor-in-chief of High Times magazine, where he also spearheaded the video department and event production. He is a longtime podcaster and even longer suffering NY Jets fan.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Houston Astros</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>The Houston Astros have reached the postseason in eight straight years, making four World Series appearances and winning two championships since 2017. But the Astros are a very different team in 2025 after <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mlb/chicago-cubs/cubs-news-chicago-land-kyle-tucker-massive-astros-trade">trading Kyle Tucker to the Chicago Cubs</a> and losing Alex Bregman in free agency.</p><p>Now the Astros are moving forward with a new core and shortstop Jeremy Peña believes his new teammates are <a href="https://x.com/Ken_Rosenthal/status/1906201104603300218" rel="noopener">up to the challenge</a> of continuing the winning culture in Houston.</p><p>“The team looks great. I feel like these guys that we picked up in the offseason – Christian Walker, Paredes, Rodgers – these guys came ready to win. They fit right into the culture. They know what has to get done. They show up every single day and put the work in,” Peña told Ken Rosaenthal via FOX Sports: MLB on X.</p><h2><b>Jeremy Peña believes in the new-look Astros</b></h2><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Jeremy-Pena.jpg"><figcaption>Troy Taormina-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><p>After Cardinals third baseman Nolan Arenado used his no-trade clause to block a deal sending him to Houston, the Astros opted to sign Christian Walker to a <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mlb/houston-astros/astros-news-houston-christian-walker-nolan-arenado-trade-fiasco">three-year, $60 million contract</a>. The veteran first baseman spent the last eight seasons with the Arizona Diamondbacks and has won three straight Gold Gloves.</p><p><a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mlb/houston-astros/astros-news-christian-walker-oblique-injury-spring-training">Walker suffered a left oblique injury</a> in spring training. The injury caused some concern as a strained left oblique kept Walker sidelined for a month last season. But he was ready for Opening Day with the Astros and played the entire series against the New York Mets to start the 2025 campaign.</p><p>Isaac Paredes joined the team as part of the return package Houston received for sending Tucker to Chicago. Although the Astros were interested in Arenado, Paredes is a solid option at third base. He made his first-career All-Star Game last season splitting time between the Tampa Bay Rays and the Cubs. In 2023 he demonstrated his power potential, with 31 home runs and 98 RBI.</p><p>The Astros are off to a solid start this year after the team won the rubber game of their season-opening series against the New York Mets Saturday. Peña got Houston on the board in the fifth inning with a solo home run to left. Then Paredes scored what ended up being the winning run on a Yordan Alvarez double in the sixth.</p><p>Peña is entering his fourth season in the majors and the Astros are expecting big things from the Gold Glove-winning shortstop. He’s already proven himself as a postseason hero. Peña was the MVP of the 2022 ALCS against the New York Yankees with a 1.176 OPS. He was then <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mlb/houston-astros/astros-news-jeremy-penas-world-series-mvp-win-notches-feat-mlb-has-never-seen-before">named MVP of the World Series</a> after slashing .400/.423/.600 in six games against the Philadelphia Phillies.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Jeremy Pena reveals how new Astros teammates fit into Houston’s culture

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/mlb/houston-astros/astros-news-jose-altuves-powerful-reaction-unexpected-moment-astros-win-mets');   ga('set', 'title', 'Jose Altuve’s powerful reaction to unexpected moment in Astros win vs. Mets');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Astros-news-Jose-Altuve-s-powerful-reaction-to-unexpected-moment-in-win-vs-Mets_217267.jpg"></figure><h1>Jose Altuve’s powerful reaction to unexpected moment in Astros win vs. Mets</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-03-28T01:35:32-07:00">March 28th, 1:35am</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-03-28T01:35:32-07:00">March 28th, 1:35am</time><address><a>Brayden Haena</a>Brayden Haena is an Associate Editor at ClutchPoints. He's a die-hard San Francisco Giants fan and a football fanatic. In addition to sports writing, he works for Arizona Football in the Player Personnel and Recruiting department and formerly served as the Defensive Coordinator for Heritage High School.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Houston Astros</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>Jose Altuve has accomplished just about everything a player can in an Astros uniform. But <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mlb/astros-news-cam-smiths-heartfelt-reaction-after-awesome-mlb-debut">Thursday’s Opening Day game at Daikin Park brought something entirely new</a> — and something unexpectedly emotional.</p><p>As Altuve jogged out to left field for the first time in his 15-year MLB career, the 42,305 fans in attendance roared. When the All-Star second baseman turned left fielder saw himself appear on the stadium jumbotron, <a href="https://x.com/Chandler_Rome/status/1905408981368996312" rel="noopener">he tipped his cap</a> and waved to the Crawford Boxes crowd — a gesture that was met with even louder applause.</p><p>“I wasn’t expecting that, but that was amazing,” Altuve said of the ovation. “I really appreciated their support… That was probably one of the happiest moments I’ve had in my career.”</p><p>Astros manager Joe Espada announced the position change roughly three weeks ago. He said the decision allows the team more lineup flexibility, particularly in preserving slugger Yordan Alvarez by reducing his time in the field. It also gives Houston stronger defense up the middle, replacing <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mlb/astros-news-houstons-next-second-baseman-jose-altuve-uncertainty">Altuve’s declining range at second base with former Gold Glover Brendan Rodgers.</a></p><h2><b>Astros defeat the Mets on Opening Day, Altuve debuts in Left</b></h2><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Jose-Altuve_82607c.jpg"><figcaption>Thomas Shea-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><p>But Opening Day proved that the move meant more than just Xs and Os. Altuve’s willingness to take on a new challenge at age 34 — and his immediate impact — were met with admiration from teammates, fans, and coaches alike.</p><p>“How respected and loved he is here, we felt it in the dugout,” Espada said. “The players were talking about it. I’ve got so much respect for him.”</p><p>That respect quickly turned to a collective gasp in the top of the first inning when Brandon Nimmo lifted a fly ball to left-center. Altuve charged in from left as center fielder Jake Meyers converged on the ball, but it was Altuve — not Meyers — who made the leaping grab, ending the inning and stranding two Mets runners.</p><p>“I know Jake called that one, but I was on my way there,” Altuve said with a grin. “I wanted to get my ball.”</p><p>Meyers didn’t seem to mind, joking that it was a “tough one” to start their new partnership but happy with the result. “At the end of the day, if you catch the ball, that’s all that matters.”</p><p>The rest of Altuve’s night in left field was uneventful by comparison, aside from a clean play on a couple of singles and a routine catch on a shallow pop from Juan Soto. He also called off shortstop Jeremy Peña with a laugh: “Peña, I’ve got priority over him.” At the plate, Altuve went 1-for-4 with a single and three strikeouts. But the storyline wasn’t about the box score — it was about a franchise legend embracing change, and being celebrated for it.</p><p>“I’m enjoying my time in left field,” Altuve said. And judging by the reaction in Houston, everyone else is too.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Jose Altuve’s powerful reaction to unexpected moment in Astros win vs. Mets

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/mlb/new-york-mets/mets-news-mets-star-juan-soto-tips-cap-astros-josh-hader-game-ending-strikeout');   ga('set', 'title', 'Mets star Juan Soto tips cap to Astros’ Josh Hader after game-ending strikeout');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Mets-news-Juan-Soto-tips-cap-to-Astros-Josh-Hader-after-game-ending-strikeout-1.jpg"></figure><h1>Mets star Juan Soto tips cap to Astros’ Josh Hader after game-ending strikeout</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-03-28T01:25:23-07:00">March 28th, 1:25am</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-03-28T01:25:23-07:00">March 28th, 1:25am</time><address><a>Brayden Haena</a>Brayden Haena is an Associate Editor at ClutchPoints. He's a die-hard San Francisco Giants fan and a football fanatic. In addition to sports writing, he works for Arizona Football in the Player Personnel and Recruiting department and formerly served as the Defensive Coordinator for Heritage High School.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Houston Astros</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>Juan Soto’s first game in a New York Mets uniform <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mlb/mets-news-juan-soto-100-real-debut">didn’t end with the heroic moment many fans had envisioned</a>—but the superstar still showed grace in defeat.</p><p>The <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mlb/astros-news-cam-smiths-heartfelt-reaction-after-awesome-mlb-debut">Mets fell 3–2 to the Houston Astros on Opening Day</a>, and the final out came with Soto at the plate, representing the go-ahead run. With runners on the corners, two outs, and a full count in the top of the ninth, Soto faced off against his former Padres teammate and Astros closer Josh Hader.</p><p>Soto jumped ahead in the count 3–0 but watched a strike and fouled off a sinker to bring it to 3–2. Then came Hader’s signature slider—down and away, biting out of the zone. Soto <a href="https://x.com/andrew_tred/status/1905404240601677824?t=oVYnSUYZHdiJJaHnArB-0w&amp;s=19" rel="noopener">swung and missed. Game over.</a></p><p>Afterward, Soto offered a candid assessment: “He let the ball go on that last pitch and he got me on it,” Soto said via X, formerly Twitter. “It was a pretty good pitch, the slider down and away. I wasn’t expecting it and it just happened.”</p><h2><b>Juan Soto had an OK debut for the Mets</b></h2><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Juan-Soto-in-his-Mets-debut.jpg"><figcaption>Thomas Shea-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><p>It was a humbling moment for the 26-year-old, who signed a record-breaking 15-year, $765 million contract with the Mets this offseason. While he went 1-for-3 with two walks in his team debut, Soto knows expectations are sky-high—not just for him, but for the franchise he’s now leading.</p><p>The game-ending strikeout was a reminder that even the best can be bested. Soto, widely regarded as one of the most disciplined hitters in baseball, was outdueled by a closer with whom he once shared a dugout.</p><p>Still, Mets fans have reason for optimism. Soto’s presence alone electrifies a lineup already stacked with talent like Francisco Lindor, Pete Alonso, and Brandon Nimmo. His ability to get on base and grind out at-bats—like he did twice earlier in the game with walks—already offers a glimpse of what he’ll bring to Queens over the next decade and a half.</p><p>Opening Day also marked a new chapter in Soto’s career. After stints with the Nationals, Padres, and Yankees, he’s finally settled into what he hopes will be his long-term home. Mets owner Steve Cohen’s vision of building a new identity around Soto—a winning, star-studded brand that can rival the Yankees—is already taking shape.</p><p>While Thursday’s result wasn’t ideal, Soto’s willingness to own the moment and tip his cap to a fellow elite talent like Hader showed the maturity and poise that’s made him a leader at just 26.</p><p>And with 161 games left, there will be plenty more moments—likely many triumphant ones—for Soto to deliver in a Mets uniform.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Mets star Juan Soto tips cap to Astros’ Josh Hader after game-ending strikeout

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/mlb/houston-astros/astros-news-cam-smiths-heartfelt-reaction-after-awesome-mlb-debut');   ga('set', 'title', 'Astros right fielder Cam Smith gives heartfelt reaction after ‘awesome’ MLB debut');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Astros-news-Cam-Smiths-heartfelt-reaction-after-awesome-MLB-debut.jpg"></figure><h1>Astros right fielder Cam Smith gives heartfelt reaction after ‘awesome’ MLB debut</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-03-27T19:07:29-07:00">March 27th, 7:07pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-03-27T19:07:29-07:00">March 27th, 7:07pm</time><address><a>Dylan Fine</a>Dylan Fine focuses on the NFL and NCAA Football for ClutchPoints, in addition to working on the meme team. Dylan is a graduate of Georgetown University and has covered various topics ranging from local politics in the DMV region with DC Voter For Animals to live sporting events in the Long Island and Rochester areas with The Southampton Press and Pickin’Splinters. When he isn't working, he's usually running in preparation for the next annual Turkey Trot.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Houston Astros</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>Houston Astros right fielder Cam Smith gave a heartfelt reaction to his MLB debut. The <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mlb/houston-astros/astros-news-prospect-joined-historic-company-making-opening-day-roster">22-year-old has received massive hype</a> going into this season, especially after a very successful Spring Training. Smith didn’t look to be under any pressure on Opening Day against New York, as he went 1/3 and played a key role in the Astros’ 3-1 win. The rookie got his first hit on his first pitch.</p><p>In a postgame interview with Houston Chronicle reporter Matt Kawahara, the <a href="https://x.com/matthewkawahara/status/1905413036308848817" rel="noopener">rookie got honest</a> on what this moment meant to him.</p><p>“Before the game, for the first time ever, I had to force myself to eat. Like I was not hungry at all. I think the nerves were kicking in. I definitely felt that energy before I got on the field. And just to go out there and … connect with the fans, it was awesome.”</p><h2><b>The Astros rookie is set to have many more special moments going forward</b></h2><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Astros-Cam-Smith.jpg"><figcaption>Thomas Shea-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><p>Smith is joining a Houston roster built to win now and expects to be a contender in 2025. The franchise is coming off its fourth straight AL West crown. Unfortunately, the Astros’ season ended surprisingly to the upstart Detroit Tigers in the American League Wild Card round. While several franchises will come into this year with championship-or-bust mentalities, Houston does have the upside, once again, of collecting another AL pennant. But this team will need Cam Smith to continue the form he’s been in over the past few weeks.</p><p>The franchise returned most of its core, with third baseman <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mlb/boston-red-sox/grading-alex-bregmans-120-million-contract-with-red-sox">Alex Bregman being the headline departure</a> to the Red Sox over the offseason. Framber Valdez started on Thursday and was his usual terrific self. The two-time All-Star threw for seven scoreless innings against a formidable Mets lineup. Along with Cam Smith’s contributions at the plate, catcher Yanier Diaz and center fielder Jake Meyers each recorded an RBI as the Astros’ three runs in the first three innings were enough to seal the victory.</p><p>Overall, Cam Smith is bound to go through plenty of growing pains over the next few months. But the 2024 first-round pick is already showing maturity beyond his years, and the best is yet to come. With decorated veterans like Jose Altuve and Yordan Alvarez on the roster, Smith will have terrific teammates to turn to in any trying times. It’s a grind of a season, but the star rookie looks ready for the moment.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Astros right fielder Cam Smith gives heartfelt reaction after ‘awesome’ MLB debut

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/mlb/houston-astros/astros-news-houstons-next-second-baseman-jose-altuve-uncertainty');   ga('set', 'title', 'Astros’ next second baseman after Jose Altuve still has uncertainty');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Astros-news-Houstons-next-second-baseman-after-Jose-Altuve-still-has-uncertainty.jpg"></figure><h1>Astros’ next second baseman after Jose Altuve still has uncertainty</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-03-27T11:47:58-07:00">March 27th, 11:47am</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-03-27T11:47:58-07:00">March 27th, 11:47am</time><address><a>Malik Brown</a>Malik Brown is a multimedia reporter based in Atlanta who covers the Hawks and Dream for ClutchPoints. Malik has worked in entertainment and sports, and he specializes in the NBA and NFL.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Houston Astros</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>With the Houston <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mlb/astros-news-jose-altuve-shares-honest-admission-playing-left-field">Astros set on moving Jose Altuve</a> to a position he’s never played after being a second baseman his entire career, it’s led to some uncertainty on who will take his spot. Altuve is supposed to start Opening Day in left field against the New York Mets, which will be the first time in his 14-year career where he’s played in the outfield.</p><p>The move has led Joe Espada to find who will be the starter at second baseman, and though he has an answer, that answer might not be <a href="https://x.com/Chandler_Rome/status/1905303543772254433" rel="noopener">the long-term solution</a>.</p><p>“Brendan Rodgers is starting today. That doesn’t mean he’s the starting second baseman,” Espada said via The Athletic’s Chandler Rome.</p><p>The Astros recently selected Brendan Rogers on the major league roster after signing a minor league deal last month. He’s a former third overall pick who spent four seasons as Colorado’s main second baseman. He may have had an up-and-down career so far, but the Astros must believe he can get the job done for them on Opening Day.</p><p>The Astros have other options that they can throw out at second base, such as Mauricio Dubon and Issac Paredes, who was acquired from the Chicago Cubs in the Kyle Tucker trade.</p><h2><b>Jose Altuve moving to left field for Astros</b></h2><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Jose-Altuve_ad7dc1.jpg"><figcaption>Sam Navarro-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><p>Altuve has not played his best in left field in Spring Training, but it seems like a move that they look to be committed to for the time being. Weeks ago, general manager <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mlb/houston-astros/astros-news-jose-altuve-position-change-gets-evasive-response-from-gm-dana-brown">Dana Brown shared his thoughts</a> on the move, and he made it sound as if this won’t be a permanent change for Altuve.</p><p>“I don’t think we’re committing to it yet, I think the energy is there,” Brown said via Foul Territory. “Yeah he’s going to have to play some infield. At some point he’s going to have to go back to 2nd. It’s the first utility thing where we want to have certain bats in the lineup. We could put Altuve back at 2nd. I don’t think we’re fully committed to it.</p><p>“I think that we are excited about it. We like the path that we’re taking. The trajectory is good, he’s taken well to it. He’s actually running balls down in the gaps. Sometimes you forget how fast he is, until he went into the outfield and like man he’s got pretty good foot speed.”</p><p>As time goes on, Altuve should get better at his new position, but if need be, they should allow him to go back to second base where he’s been successful his entire career.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Astros’ next second baseman after Jose Altuve still has uncertainty

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/mlb/houston-astros/astros-news-luis-garcia-injury-update-2025');   ga('set', 'title', 'Astros get ‘decent’ Luis Garcia injury update, but there’s a catch');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Astros-news-Houston-gets-decent-Luis-Garcia-injury-update-but-theres-a-catch.jpg"></figure><h1>Astros get ‘decent’ Luis Garcia injury update, but there’s a catch</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-03-27T11:29:20-07:00">March 27th, 11:29am</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-03-27T12:01:37-07:00">March 27th, 12:01pm</time><address><a href="https://www.facebook.com/joey.mistretta/" rel="facebook">Joey Mistretta</a>Joey Mistretta is a Dallas Mavericks beat reporter, Dallas Wings beat reporter and lead MLB editor for ClutchPoints. He is originally from Lake Arrowhead, California. Mistretta graduated from Biola University with a degree in broadcast journalism.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Houston Astros</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>Houston Astros pitcher Luis Garcia is still dealing with an elbow injury. Manager Joe Espada <a href="https://x.com/Chandler_Rome/status/1905312390129787281" rel="noopener">provided an update</a> on the pitcher before the <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mlb/houston-astros/astros-make-multiple-roster-moves-before-opening-day">Astros’ Opening Day game</a> against the New York Mets on Thursday, via Chandler Rome of The Athletic.</p><p>“Joe Espada called the first opinion on Luis Garcia’s injured elbow ‘decent news,’ but the Astros are still awaiting the second opinion,” Rome wrote on X, formerly Twitter</p><p>The <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mlb/houston-astros/astros-news-christian-walker-opening-day-injury-update-catch-fans-attention">Astros have dealt with injury trouble</a> already in the spring. They are hoping to get healthy soon. It remains to be seen when Garcia will return, however.</p><p>The Astros are awaiting a second opinion despite Espada calling the first opinion “decent news.” It is also uncertain what that means. Espada did not call it good or bad news, so any potential timeline is especially unclear at the moment.</p><p>The Astros will wait until they get the second opinion before providing a potential injury return timeline. This will be a situation to closely monitor.</p><p>Garcia, 28, has pitched at the MLB level since 2020. He enjoyed breakout seasons in 2021 and 2022, recording a 3.48 ERA in the ’21 campaign and a 3.72 ERA in the ’22 season. He was limited to only six games pitched in 2023, though, and Garcia has not pitched in a big league game since the ’23 campaign.</p><p>Garcia ultimately underwent Tommy John surgery after experiencing elbow concerns. After missing all of 2024 due to surgery recovery, uncertainty began to surface in reference to his status for 2025 Opening Day. It was ultimately revealed that Garcia would not be ready to begin the ’25 season.</p><p>The Astros are hopeful he can return sooner rather than later. However, Garcia’s timeline has yet to be revealed.</p><p>Houston will attempt to begin the new campaign on a positive note nonetheless. The Astros will host the New York Mets at 4:10 PM EST on Opening Day.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Astros get ‘decent’ Luis Garcia injury update, but there’s a catch

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/mlb/houston-astros/astros-news-christian-walker-prediction-availability-previous-injury');   ga('set', 'title', 'Christian Walker’s confident prediction on Astros availability after previous injury');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Christian-Walkers-confident-prediction-on-availability-after-previous-injury.jpg"></figure><h1>Christian Walker’s confident prediction on Astros availability after previous injury</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-03-27T11:22:34-07:00">March 27th, 11:22am</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-03-27T11:22:34-07:00">March 27th, 11:22am</time><address><a href="https://haydencilley.wixsite.com/hayden-cilley-s-port">Hayden Cilley</a>Hayden Cilley joined ClutchPoints in August 2024 as a Phoenix Suns and Mercury reporter, as well as an Associate Editor. Hayden graduated from the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism at Arizona State University. He recently covered the Phoenix Mercury for The Next Hoops and PHNX Sports.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Houston Astros</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>Christian Walker has been in and out for the Houston Astros. Throughout spring training, <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mlb/houston-astros/astros-news-christian-walker-opening-day-injury-update-catch-fans-attention">Walker was dealing with an injury</a>. Fast forward to the regular season, and it seems that he’s ready for the regular season to commence.</p><p>According to Chandler Rome of The Athletic on X (formerly Twitter), he <a href="https://x.com/Chandler_Rome/status/1905289545345564857" rel="noopener">explained</a> that Walker is a “full go” for Opening Day weekend.</p><p>The move isn’t totally a surprise, but what happened before certainly was. The Astros released Jon Singleton, one of the veterans on the team. He was 31 years old and played for the past two seasons.</p><p>Regardless, releasing him might’ve been the sign that Walker was ready to come back. After the latter dealt with an oblique injury during the Arizona Diamondbacks campaign, he’s proven to be an effective hitter and defender.</p><p>Funny enough, Walker has won three consecutive Gold Glove awards. Not to mention, he hit 33 home runs during the Diamondbacks’ quest to the World Series.</p><p>Now, he’ll have the chance to showcase that talent with the Astros. With one of the most hitter-friendly ballparks in the country, things are looking good for the slugger.</p><h2><b>Christian Walker’s injury is a sigh of relief for the Astros</b></h2><p>He dealt with this injury throughout spring training. It was a concern because <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mlb/houston-astros/astros-news-christian-walker-contract-no-trade-clause">Walker signed a three-year deal with the Astros</a> in the offseason.</p><p>He was their prized possession and major offseason acquisition. Although the franchise traded Kyle Tucker away, getting Walker might make up some of the power and defense he provided.</p><p>The <a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/w/walkech02.shtml" rel="noopener">career .250 hitter</a> might have some better averages with Jose Altuve and Yordan Alvarez batting in front and behind him. Pitchers might feel more comfortable pitching to him.</p><p>Although he’s been a strikeout concern, his plate discipline has been much better as his career has progressed.</p><p>In the first series of the season, it will be a tough one. If things go right for both clubs, it could be a potential World Series matchup. The Astros will take on the New York Mets for a three-game set.</p><p>Walker’s power could be the difference maker in that series. Also, his defense at first base will be a welcome sight. Having someone elite at one corner will take any added pressure off of the pitching staff.</p><p>Health hasn’t been too much of an issue for Walker. However, with this injury coming up during spring training, doing some control would be essential. It will help the Astros, and Walker in the long run.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Christian Walker’s confident prediction on Astros availability after previous injury

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/mlb/houston-astros/astros-news-gm-message-owner-kyle-tucker-trade-cubs');   ga('set', 'title', 'Astros GM reveals message he told owner on Kyle Tucker trade with Cubs');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Astros-news-GM-reveals-message-he-told-owner-on-Kyle-Tucker-trade-with-Cubs.jpg"></figure><h1>Astros GM reveals message he told owner on Kyle Tucker trade with Cubs</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-03-26T11:02:00-07:00">March 26th, 11:02am</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-03-26T13:34:01-07:00">March 26th, 1:34pm</time><address><a href="https://haydencilley.wixsite.com/hayden-cilley-s-port">Hayden Cilley</a>Hayden Cilley joined ClutchPoints in August 2024 as a Phoenix Suns and Mercury reporter, as well as an Associate Editor. Hayden graduated from the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism at Arizona State University. He recently covered the Phoenix Mercury for The Next Hoops and PHNX Sports.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Houston Astros</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>As <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mlb/chicago-cubs/cubs-news-chicago-land-kyle-tucker-massive-astros-trade">Kyle Tucker was traded to the Chicago Cubs</a>, it signaled the end of the Houston Astros outfielder’s time with the team. However, general manager Dana Brown made a tough decision that shocked many.</p><p>After 19 months prior, he echoed that Tucker would be an Astro for life. Safe to say, that isn’t happening anymore. Still, Brown was able to get some key insight on the move.</p><p>Chandler Rome of The Athletic detailed the conversation Brown and the Astros owner had <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6227940/2025/03/25/astros-gm-dana-brown-straight-shooter/" rel="noopener">before the trade took place</a>.</p><p>“It was just saying, ‘Look, we want to be competitive in these two worlds: We’re not going to lose our edge in the present and we’re going to gain more in the future by putting it all together,’” Brown said.</p><p>“That’s the goal of this trade and hopefully that should be how it plays out.”</p><p>Securing the future was a necessity for the Astros. After all, Jose Altuve and Jon Singelton have eclipsed 30 years of age. There might be a short window on another Houston title. Brown wanted to secure the future, even if it meant trading Tucker.</p><h2><b>Dana Brown trading Kyle Tucker was a necessary move for Astros</b></h2><p>Making a trade with a top franchise player is never easy in any sport. However, a deal had to be done. The team sought after prospects and draft picks for Tucker. Simultaneously, they wanted players who could win now.</p><p>One of those players is <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mlb/houston-astros/astros-news-star-prospect-kyle-tucker-trade-opening-day-roster">Astros prospect Cam Smith, who made the Opening Day roster</a>. Still, making a trade of this caliber comes with a ton of backlash.</p><p>However, Brown reiterated how the ownership has been transparent throughout the process.</p><p>“He’s really allowed me the opportunity to be a GM,” Brown said. “You go to some organizations, there (is) a GM, a president and then you have the owner.</p><p>“But being able to go directly to the owner and have a conversation about what you want to do and for him to understand and have confidence in your baseball eye, I think that’s a welcoming thing for me because he trusts me.”</p><p>That trust is key moving forward for the team. Landing prospects who can make a difference could be the difference maker in 2025. A veteran core of guys like Altuve, Singleton, and Yordan Alvarez are elite.</p><p>Adding <a href="https://abcnews.go.com/GMA/Family/astros-prospects-family-surprises-opening-day-roster-announcement/story?id=120169688" rel="noopener">some new pieces</a> to balance out the veteran presence could be what the Astros need. If that’s the case, then Brown will have looked to do a masterful job.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Astros GM reveals message he told owner on Kyle Tucker trade with Cubs

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/mlb/houston-astros/astros-news-christian-walker-opening-day-injury-update-catch-fans-attention');   ga('set', 'title', 'Christian Walker Opening Day injury update will catch fans’ attention');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Christian-Walker-Opening-Day-injury-update-will-catch-fans-attention.jpg"></figure><h1>Christian Walker Opening Day injury update will catch fans’ attention</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-03-25T16:28:51-07:00">March 25th, 4:28pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-03-25T17:56:41-07:00">March 25th, 5:56pm</time><address><a>Russell Steinberg</a>Russell Steinberg covers Major League Baseball and the New York Liberty for ClutchPoints. A baseball and basketball lifer, he has written for Boardroom, SLAM, SB Nation, The Next, and more. He graduated from NYU in 2012 and still returns to serve as PA announcer and occasional broadcaster for the school’s basketball and volleyball teams.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Houston Astros</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>Christian Walker, the Houston Astros’ major offseason signing, will be <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mlb/houston-astros/astros-news-christian-walker-optimistic-injury-update-opening-day">on the Opening Day roster</a> as he comes back from an oblique injury.</p><p>Walker took seven at-bats in a minor league game on Tuesday and will travel to Houston tonight. The Astros open the season at home on Thursday against the New York Mets and Walker is <a href="https://x.com/Chandler_Rome/status/1904634741849981408" rel="noopener">expected to be in the lineup</a>, according to manager Joe Espada.</p><p>Walker played in only four spring training games before suffering his injury. He went 4-for-8 with three doubles and two walks in that time.</p><p>The Astros signed Walker in December after getting little-to-no production from first base in 2024. Jose Abreu and the <a href="http://clutchpoints.com/mlb/houston-astros/astros-news-houston-releases-jon-singleton-opening-day">newly released Jon Singleton</a> combined to give Houston the 27th-best OPS in the league at the position (.651). Walker, meanwhile, hit for an .803 OPS last year to go with his 26 home runs and won the NL Gold Glove at first base. The Astros signed him for three years and $60 million.</p><p>While Walker is a clear upgrade at first base for Houston, he will have to do more than simply out-perform Singleton and Abreu. The team also lost sluggers Alex Bregman and Kyle Tucker in the offseason and Walker is a major part of making up for their production.</p><h2><b>Cam Smith will also make the Astros’ Opening Day roster</b></h2><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Cam-Smith.jpg"><figcaption>Sam Navarro-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><p>While Walker will man first base on Thursday for the Astros, <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mlb/houston-astros/astros-news-star-prospect-kyle-tucker-trade-opening-day-roster">top prospect Cam Smith</a> is going to get the start in right field.</p><p>Smith played only 32 games in the minor leagues after the Chicago Cubs drafted him in the first round last year. Chicago then dealt him to Houston in the Kyle Tucker trade over the winter.</p><p>In 15 games this spring, he hit .342 with four home runs and a 1.129 OPS. As Grapefruit League play continued, Espada moved him from third base, his natural position, to the outfield where he would be able to get more at-bats with the big league team.</p><p>Though Smith has yet to play an inning in the majors, he already has the <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6228494/2025/03/25/astros-cam-smith-opening-day-roster/" rel="noopener">respect of his teammates</a>.</p><p>“He’s a guy that you just have to keep testing him and see how far you can push him,” shortstop Jeremy Peña told Chandler Rome of The Athletic. “He’s going to fight back. He’s the one that’s going to push back. He’s just got to show you what he’s got.”</p><p>Mauricio Dubón took it even further.</p><p>“When he has an idea of what they’re going to do to him in the big leagues, I think he’s going to be the next 60-homer guy,” he predicted.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Christian Walker Opening Day injury update will catch fans’ attention

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/mlb/houston-astros/astros-news-prospect-joined-historic-company-making-opening-day-roster');   ga('set', 'title', 'How Astros prospect joined historic company by making Opening Day roster');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/How-Houston-prospect-joined-historic-company-by-making-Opening-Day-roster.jpg"></figure><h1>How Astros prospect joined historic company by making Opening Day roster</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-03-25T16:22:04-07:00">March 25th, 4:22pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-03-25T16:22:50-07:00">March 25th, 4:22pm</time><address><a>Alex House</a>Alex House is a sports journalist who covers the NFL, NBA, and MLB for ClutchPoints. He grew up in a New York sports-heavy region in Connecticut and earned his journalism degree at the University of Rhode Island. His in-depth knowledge of two of the most passionate and raucous fan bases in the country gives him a truly unique writing voice.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Houston Astros</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>Last year at this time, Cam Smith was in the midst of his sophomore campaign with the Florida State Seminoles. Now, he is on the Houston Astros’ Opening Day roster. The organization’s top prospect (No. 58 overall) is expected to play right field for the four-time defending American League West champions when they host the New York Mets on Thursday. His meteoric rise to the big leagues is truly something to marvel at and appreciate.</p><p>The Chicago Cubs selected Smith with the No. 14 pick in the 2024 MLB June Amateur Draft. He played 32 games in their farm system before being dealt to the Astros as part of the <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mlb/mlb-stories/grading-cubs-astros-kyle-tucker-trade">blockbuster Kyle Tucker trade</a> this past offseason. The 22-year-old quickly adapted to his new environment and produced big numbers in spring training, batting .342 with four home runs and 11 RBIs in 15 games.</p><p>Smith forced Houston’s hand and gained entry to its 26-man roster. His MLB ascension is the <a href="https://www.mlb.com/milb/news/hitters-who-made-opening-day-roster-the-quickest-after-draft?t=mlb-pipeline-coverage" rel="noopener">third-fastest in the sport’s history</a>, ranking behind only Pete Incaviglia (played zero minor-league games) and John Olerud (six minor-league games), per MLB.com’s Jim Callis. Both of those players made an impact right away, and the Astros are counting on Smith to do the same in 2025.</p><p>The Florida native shared in the news with his family on Tuesday, enjoying <a href="https://x.com/MLBONFOX/status/1904638218101809167" rel="noopener">an emotional embrace</a> with his mother in the clubhouse. Although a swift call-up seemed inevitable, actually securing the big-league promotion for Opening Day is a surreal moment for most prospects. Cam Smith’s journey to Space City has been especially unexpected.</p><figure class="op-interactive"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">The Astros brought in Cam Smith's family to tell him he made the Opening Day roster 🥹</p><p>(via <a href="https://twitter.com/astros?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@astros</a>)<a href="https://t.co/GOqp3WsA6x">pic.twitter.com/GOqp3WsA6x</a></p><p>— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) <a href="https://twitter.com/MLBONFOX/status/1904638218101809167?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 25, 2025</a></p></blockquote><p><script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p></figure><h2><b>Astros’ Cam Smith will try to block out the noise and just do his job</b></h2><p>He switched from third base and ventured into the outfield, quickly capitalizing on the available opportunities that lie in right field. It obviously remains to be seen if he will maintain an everyday role with the Astros for the entire season, but the front office’s decision to <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mlb/houston-astros/astros-make-multiple-roster-moves-before-opening-day">release veteran Ben Gamel</a> shows how serious it is about giving Smith regular reps.</p><p>Living up to the hype that comes with speedy MLB arrivals is a grueling and sometimes impossible chore. Eyes will be glued to his swing and defensive metrics. Those might not apply in Houston, however. This franchise has thrived by swiftly churning out new stars. Smith will look to continue that trend when he makes his debut this week.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

How Astros prospect joined historic company by making Opening Day roster

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/mlb/houston-astros/astros-news-star-prospect-kyle-tucker-trade-opening-day-roster');   ga('set', 'title', 'Star prospect from Kyle Tucker trade makes Opening Day roster in emotional moment');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Star-prospect-from-Kyle-Tucker-trade-makes-Opening-Day-roster-in-emotional-moment.jpg"></figure><h1>Star prospect from Kyle Tucker trade makes Opening Day roster in emotional moment</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-03-25T15:57:09-07:00">March 25th, 3:57pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-03-25T15:57:09-07:00">March 25th, 3:57pm</time><address><a>Christopher Hennessy</a>Christopher Hennessy graduated with a journalism degree from Fordham University in 2022. He has also worked at Spectrum News One in Albany, New York and with The Hockey Writers as a New York Islanders writer. Chris is originally from Connecticut and is a lifelong New York Yankees, Islanders, and Jets fan.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Houston Astros</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>The Houston Astros are putting the final touches on their Opening Day roster. Many positions in the lineup will signify the start of a new era. The <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mlb/mlb-news-cubs-astros-both-earn-praise-for-kyle-tucker-trade">Astros traded Kyle Tucker to the Chicago Cubs</a> for a package that included prospect Cam Smith as part of the new era. On Tuesday, Smith made the Opening Day roster and gave the media<a href="https://x.com/Chandler_Rome/status/1904626640639975765" rel="noopener"> an honest and emotional reaction</a>.</p><p>Cam Smith made the Astros’ Opening Day roster, sources tell The Athletic,” Chandler Rome reported. “The 22-year-old phenom and centerpiece of the Kyle Tucker trade played just 32 minor-league games prior to his promotion.”</p><p>Smith is a third-base prospect who could challenge for the starting role. <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mlb/red-sox-alex-bregman-winning-guarantee-signing-120-million-contract">Alex Bregman joined the Boston Red Sox in free agency</a>, leaving the position open. But the Astros also picked up veteran Isaac Paredes in the Tucker trade, who has played third base for most of his five-year career.</p><figure class="op-interactive"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">Built For The Big Leagues. <a href="https://t.co/33GmYJzFmC">pic.twitter.com/33GmYJzFmC</a></p><p>— Houston Astros (@astros) <a href="https://twitter.com/astros/status/1904648625260470641?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 25, 2025</a></p></blockquote><p><script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p></figure><p>Paredes is expected to make the roster, too, and his pull-heavy hitting style should translate well to the Crawford Boxes. Smith is part of the Astros’ future and should be considered for the everyday third base role.</p><p>The American League West will be competitive this year and Smith will have to succeed to stay with the big club.</p><h2><b>Cam Smith’s emotional reaction to making the Astros</b></h2><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Cam-Smith-with-Houston-Astros.jpg"><figcaption>Reinhold Matay-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><p>Every minor leaguer dreams of getting the news that Smith got on Tuesday. At just 22 years old with only 32 minor-league games under his belt, he is in the big leagues. Understandably, it was an emotional reaction for the youngster when his mom <a href="https://twitter.com/MLBONFOX/status/1904638218101809167" rel="noopener">delivered the news in te clubhouse</a>.</p><figure class="op-interactive"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">Cam Smith, who is in tears of joy, talks about making the team <a href="https://t.co/Z5y3qFG10O">pic.twitter.com/Z5y3qFG10O</a></p><p>— Ari Alexander (@AriA1exander) <a href="https://twitter.com/AriA1exander/status/1904635873464811708?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 25, 2025</a></p></blockquote><p><script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p></figure><p>“Yeah, I always thought it was possible. I think I had a great group of guys around me to help me out and to get me here today. I always saw it as a possibility for it to happen. And we’re here today talking about it now, so I’m very blessed.”</p><p>Smith continued, fighting back tears. “You know, at one point, it was just me and [his mom] in the house. She struggled to take me to baseball games and practice. I’m just happy to do it for her.”</p><p>Smith could easily end up back in the minor leagues this season and it would not be a failure by any measurement. But giving so much to a brand-new organization that they take you for Opening Day is an incredible accomplishment. Wherever he plays in his Astros debut, Smith will certainly be thinking of his mom.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Star prospect from Kyle Tucker trade makes Opening Day roster in emotional moment

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/mlb/houston-astros/astros-news-houston-releases-jon-singleton-opening-day');   ga('set', 'title', 'Astros release Jon Singleton ahead of Opening Day');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Houston-releases-Jon-Singleton-ahead-of-Opening-Day.jpg"></figure><h1>Astros release Jon Singleton ahead of Opening Day</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-03-25T13:23:05-07:00">March 25th, 1:23pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-03-25T13:23:05-07:00">March 25th, 1:23pm</time><address><a>Russell Steinberg</a>Russell Steinberg covers Major League Baseball and the New York Liberty for ClutchPoints. A baseball and basketball lifer, he has written for Boardroom, SLAM, SB Nation, The Next, and more. He graduated from NYU in 2012 and still returns to serve as PA announcer and occasional broadcaster for the school’s basketball and volleyball teams.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Houston Astros</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>The Houston Astros have released <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mlb/houston-astros/astros-news-jon-singleton-ending-lengthy-home-run-drought-spectacular-fashion">first baseman Jon Singleton</a> two days before Opening Day, MLB.com’s Mark Feinsand reported.</p><p>Singleton’s release <a href="https://x.com/Feinsand/status/1904615091707744436" rel="noopener">clears the way</a> for <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mlb/houston-astros/astros-news-christian-walker-contract-no-trade-clause">offseason acquisition Christian Walker</a> to man first base as he continues recovering from an oblique injury.</p><p>Singleton played 119 games for the Astros last year, taking over first when it became clear that Jose Abreu was not producing. He hit .234 with 13 home runs and a .707 OPS in that time. While those aren’t terrible numbers, there just may not have been room on the roster to carry him solely as a bench player.</p><p>“We are assessing our next step with Singy, but he will not be making our club,” Astros manager Joe Espada said on Sunday when the team decided Singleton <a href="https://www.mlb.com/astros/news/jon-singleton-astros-latest-roster-spring-moves" rel="noopener">would not be</a> on the Opening Day roster. “Just the way our roster is being shaped right now and the direction, we want to go and give some other players a look. It wasn’t easy … but sometimes we’ve got to make those tough decisions.”</p><p>Singleton didn’t make much of an impression this spring, playing 17 games and hitting .171 with one extra-base hit in 41 at bats.</p><p>The 33-year-old Singleton spent parts of four seasons with the Astros, dating back to 2014. He did not play a Major League game between 2016 and 2022 but <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mlb/milwaukee-brewers/brewers-news-former-astros-slugger-first-mlb-appearance-since-2015">returned to the Majors in 2023</a>, splitting time between the Astros and Milwaukee Brewers.</p><h2><b>Christian Walker continues rehabbing oblique injury ahead of Astros Opening Day</b></h2><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Christian-Walker_f001e1.jpg"><figcaption>Sam Navarro-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><p>Walker took the next step toward making Houston’s Opening Day roster on Monday when he played a simulated game. Espada reported that Walker played six innings of defense and hit a home run.</p><p>It may not sound like much, but Walker played just four games in Grapefruit League play before going down with his injury. He was 4-8 with three doubles before his injury.</p><p>Walker came to Houston over the offseason as a free agent signing, with Houston hoping he could be the solution to the team’s first base problems. Between Singleton and Abreu last year, the Astros ranked 27th in baseball in OPS at first base. Walker is coming off a 2024 season in which he hit 26 home runs and knocked in 84 RBI for the Arizona Diamondbacks. He also hit for an .803 OPS and won the NL Gold Glove at first base.</p><p>The Astros signed him to a three-year, $60 million contract in December.</p><p>Houston opens its season Thursday afternoon at home against the New York Mets.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Astros release Jon Singleton ahead of Opening Day

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/mlb/houston-astros/astros-make-multiple-roster-moves-before-opening-day');   ga('set', 'title', 'Astros make multiple roster moves before Opening Day');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Houston-makes-multiple-roster-moves-before-Opening-Day.jpg"></figure><h1>Astros make multiple roster moves before Opening Day</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-03-22T18:49:51-07:00">March 22nd, 6:49pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-03-22T20:02:15-07:00">March 22nd, 8:02pm</time><address><a>Brayden Haena</a>Brayden Haena is an Associate Editor at ClutchPoints. He's a die-hard San Francisco Giants fan and a football fanatic. In addition to sports writing, he works for Arizona Football in the Player Personnel and Recruiting department and formerly served as the Defensive Coordinator for Heritage High School.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Houston Astros</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>With Opening Day fast approaching, the <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mlb/astros-jose-espada-jose-altuve-move-opening-day">Houston Astros took significant steps toward finalizing</a> their 26-man roster by making a <a href="https://www.mlb.com/astros/news/ben-gamel-jalen-beeks-released-by-astros" rel="noopener">flurry of roster moves</a> on Saturday, including releasing veteran outfielder Ben Gamel and left-handed reliever Jalen Beeks.</p><p>Gamel, 32, signed a one-year, $1.2 million deal with the Astros in February after a solid but injury-shortened stint with the club in 2024. He hit .259 in 20 games before a fractured fibula ended his season.</p><p>His deal included a $200,000 signing bonus and a $1 million base salary, but with Gamel hitting just .167 in 24 spring at-bats, the club opted to release him. The move will cost Houston $241,036 in termination pay.</p><p>Jalen Beeks, 31, also failed to secure a spot in Houston’s bullpen. Though he pitched to a respectable 2.25 ERA in four innings this spring, the left-hander was released after failing to leapfrog other bullpen arms. Beeks had a combined 4.50 ERA last year between the Rockies and Pirates but posted better underlying numbers, suggesting he could still land a job elsewhere.</p><h2><b>Astros slim down the roster as Opening Day approaches</b></h2><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Ben-Gamel.jpg"><figcaption>Erik Williams-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><p>The Astros also informed reliever Miguel Castro and infielder Luis Guillorme that they would not be on the Opening Day roster. Both players will remain with the club through the end of Spring Training.</p><p>Castro, 30, has pitched in parts of 10 MLB seasons but did not do enough to solidify a bullpen role. Guillorme, a light-hitting utility man, was depth behind the infield core, but Brendan Rodgers edged him out. Rodgers signed a minor-league deal with the team in February.</p><p>Meanwhile, pitchers Kaleb Ort and <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mlb/astros-news-crucial-pitching-update-forrest-whitley">Forrest Whitley will begin the season on the injured list</a>. Ort is dealing with an oblique strain, while Whitley continues his recovery from knee soreness. Manager Joe Espada noted both are “not that far away” from rejoining the team.</p><p>These moves clarify Houston’s bullpen picture, which now includes Josh Hader, Bryan Abreu, Tayler Scott, Bryan King, Luis Contreras, Rafael Montero, Logan VanWey, and Steven Okert. The Astros would need to add Montero, VanWey, and Okert to the 40-man roster if they made the club.</p><p>Outfield prospect Zach Dezenzo, who this spring had a .415 average and 1.138 OPS, now appears likely to secure a roster spot. The Astros might send fellow prospect Cam Smith, who is also performing well, to the minors to get regular at-bats.</p><p>With decisions still to be made before camp breaks Sunday, the Astros are narrowing their options and solidifying their roster, prioritizing depth and upside in a season where they hope to return to postseason contention.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Astros make multiple roster moves before Opening Day

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/mlb/houston-astros/astros-news-crucial-pitching-update-forrest-whitley');   ga('set', 'title', 'Astros get crucial pitching update');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Houston-gets-crucial-pitching-update.jpg"></figure><h1>Astros get crucial pitching update</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-03-22T13:36:04-07:00">March 22nd, 1:36pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-03-22T13:36:23-07:00">March 22nd, 1:36pm</time><address><a>Alex House</a>Alex House is a sports journalist who covers the NFL, NBA, and MLB for ClutchPoints. He grew up in a New York sports-heavy region in Connecticut and earned his journalism degree at the University of Rhode Island. His in-depth knowledge of two of the most passionate and raucous fan bases in the country gives him a truly unique writing voice.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Houston Astros</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>The Houston Astros are entering a new era in 2025, as neither Alex Bregman nor Kyle Tucker will be in the Opening Day lineup. They have a plethora of talent who are eager to keep the team in contention regardless, but health is a growing concern as spring training nears an end. The pitching staff is particularly banged-up, with the latest news adding to the uncertainty surrounding this perennial contender.</p><p>Right-handed reliever Forrest Whitley, who has been dealing with a knee injury, is going to <a href="https://x.com/Chandler_Rome/status/1903526043907924035" rel="noopener">begin the regular season on the injured list</a>, per Chandler Rome of The Athletic. The 2016 first-round draft pick figures to be an important presence in the bullpen this year after logging only three appearances last season (no earned runs in 3 1/3 innings), so this update is frustrating.</p><p>However, <a href="https://x.com/brianmctaggart/status/1903513280565354832" rel="noopener">the good news</a> is that this roster move might have more to do with allowing Whitley time to get back on schedule rather than recover from the injury itself. “Forrest Whitley will remain in Florida next week to face hitters while team is in Houston, but said he was hitting 95 mph off flat ground and his knee is fine,” MLB.com’s Brian McTaggart reported on Saturday. “Just needs some reps.”</p><p>The 27-year-old was impressive in spring training, posting a 1.80 ERA and five strikeouts in four appearances. The four walks in five innings pitched is notable, but he displayed a devastating fastball throughout Grapefruit League competition. Fellow righty Kaleb Ort is also going to start the 2025 MLB campaign on the IL (oblique issue). But the Injuries are not confined to the bullpen.</p><h2><b>Astros pitching staff comes with some questions</b></h2><p>The back end of the starting rotation is looking a little foggy at the moment, following the Astros’ decision to <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mlb/houston-astros/astros-news-lance-mccullers-jr-injury-comeback-going-much-better-luis-garcia">shut down Luis Garcia</a> due to elbow soreness. The 28-year-old Venezuelan was making progress in his recovery from Tommy John surgery but now faces an unclear return timetable. Lance McCullers Jr., who <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mlb/houston-astros/astros-news-lance-mccullers-reflection-first-start-2022-world-series">had not pitched since the 2022 playoffs</a>, just took the mound in a spring training game for the first time this past Tuesday. While that is obviously encouraging to see, he still has checkpoints to pass.</p><p>Offseason acquisition Hayden Wesneski (acquired in Tucker trade with Chicago Cubs) <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mlb/houston-astros/astros-news-joe-espada-update-recent-houston-injury-scare">was hit in the foot</a> with a comebacker earlier in the week, causing stress levels to rise even higher. The X-rays were negative, however, and the early indication is that he is going to be alright. If that is actually the case, then Wesneski will probably work behind Framber Valdez, Hunter Brown, Ronel Blanco and Spencer Arrighetti in the rotation.</p><p>Nevertheless, manager Joe Espada will need a reliable relief unit to call upon throughout the season. Hopefully, Forrest Whitley rejoins the club after a quick and productive IL stint.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Astros get crucial pitching update

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/mlb/houston-astros/astros-news-framber-valdez-expecting-enter-free-agency-after-2025-season');   ga('set', 'title', 'Astros’ Framber Valdez expecting to enter free agency after 2025 season');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Astros-news-Framber-Valdez-expecting-to-enter-free-agency-after-2025-season.jpg"></figure><h1>Astros’ Framber Valdez expecting to enter free agency after 2025 season</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-03-21T13:36:42-07:00">March 21st, 1:36pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-03-21T13:37:47-07:00">March 21st, 1:37pm</time><address><a>Alex House</a>Alex House is a sports journalist who covers the NFL, NBA, and MLB for ClutchPoints. He grew up in a New York sports-heavy region in Connecticut and earned his journalism degree at the University of Rhode Island. His in-depth knowledge of two of the most passionate and raucous fan bases in the country gives him a truly unique writing voice.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Houston Astros</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>Houston Astros fans are still trying to get used to the idea of seeing homegrown talents Alex Bregman and Kyle Tucker play for different teams this upcoming season, and now they might have to brace themselves for more change. Two-time All-Star starting pitcher Framber Valdez made <a href="https://x.com/Chandler_Rome/status/1903164301340451304" rel="noopener">a troubling revelation</a> in spring training on Friday.</p><p><a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mlb/houston-astros/astros-news-houston-same-opening-day-starter-4th-straight-season">The Astros ace</a> says the organization has not come to him regarding a contract extension. Therefore, he expects to enter free agency following the 2025 season, according to The Athletic’s Chandler Rome.</p><h2><b>Framber Valdez has been extremely valuable to Astros</b></h2><p>Valdez has been the backbone of this pitching rotation for some time now, tallying a 3.14 ERA or better in three of the last four years. He also eclipsed 190 strikeouts and 190 innings twice in that span. The thought of watching the consistent left-hander walk out the door is tough enough, but fans might be especially perturbed if Houston does get anything in return for him.</p><p>Astros general manager Dana Brown is in a pickle, though. Given the injury problems afflicting the reigning American League champion New York Yankees and the questions facing most of the other AL clubs, Houston probably believes it has a chance at winning its fifth pennant in the last nine seasons. However, that seems unfathomable <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mlb/houston-astros/astros-news-astros-gm-slams-door-shut-on-framber-valdez-trade">without Valdez on the roster</a> for the entire campaign.</p><p>The 31-year-old has ample incentive to return to his top form in 2025, as he prepares to hit the open market for the first time in his MLB career. The Astros appear intent on capitalizing on that extra motivation and potentially opening up contract talks down the road. This franchise has replaced a bevy of impactful players over the years, and with a proven farm system and savvy deal-making, it is riding an eight-season playoff streak.</p><p>Trusting the process has worked to this point, but reliable arms like Framber Valdez are hard to find and develop. His big free agency admission is yet another reminder that all good things must eventually come to an end. For now, though, fans will try to just focus on the present and cheer on the Dominican Republic native whenever he takes the mound.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

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