Yainer Diaz

Diaz (foot) suffered a foot sprain in the Dominican Winter League, which delayed his start to camp. He will serve as the designated hitter on Wednesday and is scheduled to start at catcher in Friday's Grapefruit League game.

Fantasy Impact

Cesar Salazar serves as Diaz's backup. Diaz is scheduled to catch in a game before the end of February.

Houston Astros manager Joe Espada said on Wednesday that Yainer Diaz sustained a minor left foot sprain in mid-December while playing catch in winter ball. The Astros plan to be cautious with his running progression as he recovers.

Fantasy Impact

Diaz was able to catch a bullpen on Wednesday and will hit in camp, which is a positive sign. The Astros are still taking a cautious approach with his running program. The injury does not appear serious, and he should be good to go for opening day.

Yainer Diaz won his arbitration hearing against the Houston Astros and will make $4.5 million in 2026. The Astros filed at $3 million.

Fantasy Impact

Diaz is coming off a 2025 season where he hit .256 with 20 home runs and 70 RBI in 143 games. He belted a career-high 23 home runs in 103 games and finished fifth in AL Rookie of the Year voting in 2023. All told, the 27-year-old backstop is a career .279 hitter with 59 home runs in essentially three seasons (he had nine plate appearances in 2022). Diaz is a top ten fantasy catcher and should be drafted as such.

Yainer Diaz had his arbitration hearing with the Astros on Monday.

Fantasy Impact

Diaz filed at $4.5 million and the Astros filed at $3 million. There is expected to be a decision made on Tuesday.

Yainer Diaz went 2-for-5 in the victory against the Angels, contributing one home run and two RBI while scoring once.

Fantasy Impact

After yesterday's win, Diaz concluded the season having played in 143 games, with a .257 batting average, 70 RBI, and 20 home runs.