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Chas McCormick Chas McCormick Getting sixth straight start Sun, Sep 8, 2024, 6:02 PM McCormick will start in center field and bat ninth in Sunday's game against the Diamondbacks. Analysis: McCormick wasn't expected to be in store for a major role after being called up from Triple-A Sugar Land on Monday, but he'll draw a sixth consecutive start Sunday after going 6-for-18 with a double, a walk, three RBI and three runs. However, with Jake Meyers back from the paternity list and with Kyle Tucker likely to resume playing the outfield soon after being limited to designated-hitter duties in his first two starts since being activated from the injured list Friday, McCormick's playing time should soon fall by the wayside.
Jon Singleton Jon Singleton Sitting in series finale Sun, Sep 8, 2024, 5:58 PM Singleton is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Diamondbacks. Analysis: Singleton had started at first base in both of the Astros' previous two matchups with right-handed pitchers, but he'll give way to Victor Caratini while righty Ryne Nelson takes the hill for Arizona in the series finale. With an OPS of .694 since the All-Star break, Singleton hasn't done enough to fully solidify a strong-side platoon role, though he's still likely to see the majority of the starts at first bae down the stretch.
Mauricio Dubon Mauricio Dubon Excluded from lineup Sunday Sun, Sep 8, 2024, 5:55 PM Dubon (thumb) is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Diamondbacks. Analysis: Dubon remains day-to-day due to the jammed left thumb, which he sustained in Friday's 8-0 win in the series opener. According to MLB.com, manager Joe Espada said he hopes to avoid using Dubon off the bench Sunday, noting that consecutive days out of the lineup coupled with a team off day Monday should provide sufficient time for the utility player to heal up from the injury heading into Tuesday's series opener versus the Athletics. Though Dubon has taken on a near-everyday role since the beginning of August while moving between multiple positions, his playing time could become more inconsistent following the recent return of Kyle Tucker from the injured list.
Jake Meyers Jake Meyers Out of Sunday's lineup Sun, Sep 8, 2024, 3:55 PM Meyers is not in the lineup for Sunday's game against the Diamondbacks. Analysis: Meyes has a .356 OPS in his past 11 contests and will sit for the second time in three games since returning from the paternity list. Chas McCormick will receive the start in center field and bat ninth in the series finale versus Arizona.
Alex Bregman Alex Bregman Drives in pair Sun, Sep 8, 2024, 10:24 AM Bregman went 1-for-4 with two RBI and a walk Saturday against Arizona. Analysis: Bregman didn't hit a ball out of the infield but managed a productive game. He's battled elbow soreness since Aug. 16 and been in and out of the lineup, though his performance hasn't suffered significantly. Across 13 games and 48 at-bats in that span, Bregman has homered twice with four RBI and four runs scored while hitting .250.
Jeremy Pena Jeremy Pena Drives in three Sun, Sep 8, 2024, 10:11 AM Pena went 2-for-5 with a three-run home run Saturday against the Diamondbacks. Analysis: Pena ended a 12-game stretch without a home run, during which he hit only .178 with five RBI and four runs scored. Despite the recent drought, Pena has seen his power production bounce back in 2024, as his ISO has jumped from .118 to .134. Overall, he's delivered a well-rounded line that includes a career-high 68 RBI and 16 steals.
Jose Altuve Jose Altuve Crosses plate three times Saturday Sun, Sep 8, 2024, 9:21 AM Altuve went 3-for-5 with a double, a solo home run and two additional runs scored in Saturday's 11-5 win over the Diamondbacks. Analysis: It was another strong showing from the leadoff spot for the likely future Hall of Famer. Altuve has caught fire as Houston pushes for another AL West title, racking up six multi-hit performances in his last 15 games while slashing .327/.403/.564 with three homers, two steals, six RBI and 13 runs. The 34-year-old second baseman is one long ball short of his third career 20-20 campaign, and his first since 2017.
Yusei Kikuchi Yusei Kikuchi Carries to eighth win by offense Sun, Sep 8, 2024, 9:17 AM Kikuchi (8-9) picked up the win Saturday, giving up four runs on seven hits over six innings in an 11-5 victory over the Diamondbacks. He struck out six without walking a batter. Analysis: The lefty served up solo homers to Kevin Newman in the fourth inning and Eugenio Suarez in the sixth, but Kikuchi got more than enough run support to cover for his lapses. He has yet to be tagged with a loss since being traded to the Astros, going 4-0 in seven starts for his new club with a 3.07 ERA, 0.98 WHIP and 53:10 K:BB through 41 innings. Kikuchi will look to keep rolling in his next outing, which is scheduled to come on the road next weekend against the Angels.
Mauricio Dubon Mauricio Dubon Sitting Saturday Sat, Sep 7, 2024, 12:33 PM Dubon (thumb) isn't in the Astros' lineup Saturday against the Diamondbacks, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports. Analysis: Dubon was taken out of Friday's game early due to a jammed left thumb, and while the injury is considered minor, the Astros will hold him out of Saturday's contest just to be safe.
Kyle Tucker Kyle Tucker Idle Saturday Sat, Sep 7, 2024, 12:29 PM Tucker isn't in Houston's lineup for Saturday's game against the Diamondbacks, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports. Analysis: Tucker went 0-for-2 with a walk and a HBP on Friday in what was his first game in over three months, and he'll now take a seat Saturday as the Astros ease him back into big-league action. Chas McCormick, Jake Meyers and Ben Gamel will act as Houston's outfield trio while Tucker rests.
Jon Singleton Jon Singleton Absent from lineup Sat, Sep 7, 2024, 12:23 PM Singleton isn't in the Astros' lineup for Saturday's game against the Diamondbacks, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports. Analysis: Singleton will get a breather Saturday after going 3-for-15 with two home runs and three RBI across his last five games. In his absence, Yainer Diaz will cover first base while Victor Caratini starts behind the dish and bats sixth.
Yordan Alvarez Yordan Alvarez Goes yard twice in win Sat, Sep 7, 2024, 8:52 AM Alvarez went 2-for-4 with two home runs and six RBI in Friday's 8-0 win over the Diamondbacks. Analysis: The slugger connected for a three-run shot off Brandon Pfaadt in the fifth inning before launching another one off Jordan Montgomery just one frame later. The multi-homer performance was Alvarez's seventh of the season, tying the Astros' franchise record set by Chris Carter in 2014. Three of those power displays have come in the last nine games, a stretch in which Alvarez is batting .382 (13-for-34) with seven homers and 12 RBI.
Framber Valdez Framber Valdez Blanks Arizona for 14th win Sat, Sep 7, 2024, 8:49 AM Valdez (14-6) picked up the win in Friday's 8-0 rout of the Diamondbacks, allowing two hits and three walks over seven scoreless innings. He struck out seven. Analysis: Valdez has now held the opposition scoreless three times in his last four trips to the mound. The southpaw has been nearly untouchable since the beginning of August, giving up only 15 hits in 41 innings over his last six starts en route to a 1.32 ERA, 0.66 WHIP and 45:12 K:BB. Valdez will look to stay dominant in his next outing, which is scheduled to come at home next week against the Athletics.
Mauricio Dubon Mauricio Dubon Suffers minor thumb injury Fri, Sep 6, 2024, 10:24 PM Dubon jammed his left thumb in Friday's game against the Diamondbacks, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports. Analysis: Dubon hurt his thumb sliding into first base late in the game and was removed. He had X-rays after the contest that came back clean, and he told reporters that he will be fine. Dubon may be unavailable Saturday, but a stint on the injured list seems unlikely.
Ronel Blanco Ronel Blanco Available out of bullpen Fri, Sep 6, 2024, 4:44 PM Blanco will be available out of the bullpen for this weekend's series against the Diamondbacks, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports. Analysis: Manager Joe Espada confirmed, however, that the Astros will be returning to a six-man rotation following Monday's team off day, which means Blanco will be back in the rotation next weekend in Anaheim. Chances are, Blanco will return to the bullpen for the postseason, but with Houston not having another day off after Monday until Sept. 26, Blanco could perhaps make two more starts before the end of the campaign.
Alex Bregman Alex Bregman Takes seat Friday Fri, Sep 6, 2024, 3:25 PM Bregman is not in Friday's lineup against the Diamondbacks. Analysis: In Kyle Tucker's (shin) first game back, Bregman will get a day off. Bregman returned Wednesday after missing four games with an elbow injury, and perhaps he will need the occasional maintenance day down the stretch.
Parker Mushinski Parker Mushinski Cast off 40-man Fri, Sep 6, 2024, 3:08 PM Mushinski was designated for assignment Friday. Analysis: The move clears a spot on the 40-man roster for Kyle Tucker's (shin) activation from the 60-day injured list. Mushinski, a 28-year-old lefty reliever, logged a 6.55 ERA and more walks (five) than strikeouts (three) in 11 innings across 10 appearances with the big club.
Zach Dezenzo Zach Dezenzo Dispatched to Triple-A Fri, Sep 6, 2024, 3:05 PM Dezenzo was optioned to Triple-A Sugar Land on Friday. Analysis: Dezenzo had a max exit velocity of 109.1 mph and hit a homer in 55 plate appearances with the big club, but he was largely overmatched. The hulking 6-foot-4 corner infielder hit .212 with a 32.7 percent strikeout rate and 5.5 percent walk rate while playing sparingly after an Aug. 6 promotion.
Kyle Tucker Kyle Tucker Back as DH Friday Fri, Sep 6, 2024, 2:57 PM Tucker (shin) was activated from the 60-day injured list and is starting at designated hitter and batting fourth Friday against the Diamondbacks. Analysis: Make sure to get Tucker into daily and weekend lineups. Tucker winds up missing just over three months with a fractured shin that was originally reported to be a shin contusion.
Hunter Brown Hunter Brown Strong start in no-decision Thu, Sep 5, 2024, 3:39 PM Brown did not factor into the decision Thursday against Cincinnati, allowing four hits and one walk over six scoreless innings. He struck out six. Analysis: Brown kept the Reds off the board over six innings Thursday and came away with his third straight no-decision in a quality start. After having an 8.89 ERA through seven starts this season, Brown was asked to pitch in relief and pitched well enough that he was given another chance in the rotation, and he hasn't looked back since. Including that relief outing May 11, Brown has a 2.25 ERA and 1.07 WHIP in his last 125.2 innings.