Houston Astros

Astros manager Joe Espada said Christian Walker (oblique) played six innings and homered in a simulated game Monday, per team updates. (Source: Ari Alexander)

Fantasy Impact: Walker’s 6 defensive innings and homer Monday, after just 4 Grapefruit League games due to left oblique soreness, keep him on pace for Thursday’s Opening Day against the Mets, per Espada. Fantasy managers in all leagues should roster him, banking on his power for strong value in Houston’s 2025 lineup if he’s fully ready as planned.

The Astros told Jon Singleton he won’t start the season on the major-league roster, per team updates, after a tough spring at the plate. (Source: Matt Kawahara)

Fantasy Impact: Singleton’s .171/.239/.195 spring line, with no homers and 10 strikeouts in 46 at-bats, ends his bid to back up Christian Walker at first, opening a potential spot for Zach Dezenzo with the Astros. The 33-year-old falls short. Fantasy managers in deep dynasty leagues might stash him, banking on a midseason call-up to Houston’s 2025 lineup if he rebounds in the minors.

Astros manager Joe Espada said Forrest Whitley will open the season on the injured list. (Source: Chandler Rome on Twitter)

Fantasy Impact: It was announced earlier on Saturday that Whitley will remain in Florida when the team is in Houston. He may not miss too much time in the regular season barring any setbacks.

Astros manager Joe Espada said Kaleb Ort will open the season on the injured list. (Source: Chandler Rome on Twitter)

Fantasy Impact: Ort was not expected to be ready to go for the start of the season. He likely won't miss too much more time barring any setbacks.

The Astros informed Jalen Beeks he did not make the Opening Day roster. (Source: Chandler Rome on Twitter)

Fantasy Impact: Beeks signed a minor league deal with Houston earlier in March. He was granted his release from his contract as a result.

The Astros informed Miguel Castro he did not make the Opening Day roster. (Source: Chandler Rome on Twitter)

Fantasy Impact: Astros manager Joe Espada said Castro remains in the organization. He'll look to work his way up in the minor leagues.

Hayden Wesneski said his foot is fine after being struck by a comebacker and will throw a bullpen on Sunday. (Source: Brian McTaggart on Twitter)

Fantasy Impact: Wesneski was hit in the left foot by a comebacker during a minor league game for the Astros last Thursday. If his bullpen goes well on Sunday, he could be good to go for the start of the season.

The Astros released RHP Jairo Solis.

Fantasy Impact: Solis has yet to reach the major leagues. He'll likely look to land another opportunity with a different team.

The Astros sent Bennett Sousa to Triple-A Sugar Land on Thursday, per team updates, after a challenging spring following his 2024 surgery absence. (Source: Chandler Rome)

Fantasy Impact: Sousa’s 7 runs on 13 hits and 3 walks in 7.2 Grapefruit League innings this spring, post-2024 thoracic outlet surgery, land him in Sugar Land Thursday. The lefty’s return stumbles. Fantasy managers in deep dynasty leagues might stash him, hoping the 29-year-old refines his form for a midseason Astros bullpen call-up if he regains health in 2025.

Luis Garcia has halted throwing due to soreness in his surgically repaired right elbow, per team updates, scrapping a planned Thursday live batting practice session for evaluation. (Source: Matt Kawahara)

Fantasy Impact: Garcia’s right elbow soreness, post-May 2023 Tommy John surgery, cancels his Thursday BP and adds to prior setbacks, clouding his Astros return timeline. Doctors will assess next. Fantasy managers in dynasty leagues should stash him cautiously, hoping the 28-year-old’s arm rebounds for a midseason role in Houston’s rotation or bullpen if recovery progresses in 2025.

Zach Dezenzo (jaw) is back in Thursday’s Grapefruit League lineup against the Marlins, per team updates, after a Tuesday TMJ sprain from a groundball hit. (Source: Chandler Rome)

Fantasy Impact: Dezenzo’s .378 spring clip with 3 doubles, 2 homers, and 6 RBI in 15 games shines, and his quick return Thursday from a Tuesday jaw sprain keeps him in the Astros’ roster hunt. The 24-year-old impresses. Fantasy managers in deeper leagues should roster him, banking on his hot bat for an Opening Day spot and early value in Houston’s 2025 lineup.

Ronel Blanco exited Wednesday's outing against the New York Mets after being hit by a line drive on his wrist. (Source: Chandler Rome on Twitter)

Fantasy Impact: Blanco stated that the ball just grazed his wrist and that he’s fine. He left the game due to his pitch count, not the injury. This is a relief for fantasy managers, as it seems he avoided any serious injury.

Astros manager Joe Espada said Wednesday that Jose Altuve will play most games in left field this season, per team updates, with Mauricio Dubón favored at second base. (Source: Chandler Rome)

Fantasy Impact: Altuve’s shift to left field, confirmed Wednesday by Espada, locks him as the Astros’ everyday outfielder, with Dubón taking second base after Altuve’s solid camp transition. Plans could shift later. Fantasy managers in all leagues should roster him, expecting his elite bat to thrive in Houston’s lineup from left field, retaining multi-position value early in 2025.

Yordan Alvarez is back in the Astros lineup on Wednesday. (Source: Brian McTaggart on Twitter)

Fantasy Impact: Alvarez was scratched from the Astros lineup on Tuesday. It was considered a precautionary move, and he is back in the lineup one day later.

The Astros optioned Nick Hernandez to Triple-A Sugar Land on Tuesday, per team updates, after a rough spring showing with an 8.59 ERA across nine appearances. (Source: Brian McTaggart)

Fantasy Impact: Hernandez’s 8.59 ERA in nine spring outings sank his Opening Day roster hopes, despite a 2.83 ERA over 28.2 innings at Sugar Land in 2024, though he struggled with 7 runs in 5 Astros games. The right-hander’s back in the minors. Fantasy managers in deep dynasty leagues might stash him, eyeing a rebound for a midseason call-up if Houston needs relief help.

César Salazar was optioned to Triple-A Sugar Land on Tuesday, per team updates, with Yainer Diaz and Victor Caratini set as Houston’s primary catchers for the season. (Source: Brian McTaggart)

Fantasy Impact: Salazar’s .787 OPS in 12 Astros games and .788 mark over 78 Sugar Land contests in 2024 couldn’t top Diaz and Caratini, landing him in Triple-A Tuesday. The 29-year-old’s bat stays steady. Fantasy managers in deep dynasty leagues might stash him, eyeing a call-up if injuries hit Houston’s catching depth later in the season.

Chandler Rome of The Athletic reported Tuesday that the Astros reassigned Shay Whitcomb to minor-league camp, per team updates, despite an open second base spot. (Source: Chandler Rome)

Fantasy Impact: Whitcomb, not in the mix for second base with Jose Altuve shifting to left field, heads to Triple-A Sugar Land Tuesday, where he played every position but center, catcher, and pitcher in 2024. His versatility shines, but he’s off the Opening Day radar. Fantasy managers in dynasty leagues should stash him, eyeing a midseason call-up if Houston needs infield depth.

Lance McCullers Jr. is expected to pitch one inning in his spring training debut on Tuesday. (Source: Brian McTaggart on Twitter)

Fantasy Impact: McCullers is set for his first Grapefruit League start. He will be eased back as expected.

Brendan Rodgers, with an 8-for-28 spring mark, is battling for Houston’s second base job as a non-roster invitee, per team updates, facing Mauricio Dubón for the role. (Source: Matt Kawahara)

Fantasy Impact: Rodgers’ 8-for-28 with six strikeouts in Grapefruit League play keeps him in the Astros’ second base race, but losing to Dubón could cost him a roster spot, given his limited versatility. His opt-out clause offers flexibility. Fantasy managers in deep leagues might stash him, hoping his bat secures a role or lands him elsewhere for early-season value.

Chandler Rome reported Monday that Cam Smith as Houston’s everyday right fielder seems unlikely, per team updates, despite earlier buzz about his strong Opening Day roster chances. (Source: Chandler Rome)

Fantasy Impact: Smith’s spring shine, noted by manager Joe Espada last week, keeps his Astros debut in play for 2025, but Monday’s report tempers hopes of an everyday role over Chas McCormick. Rome sees a call-up likely later. Fantasy managers in dynasty leagues should stash him, banking on his upside for a midseason impact rather than an immediate Opening Day start.