Houston Astros manager reveals polarizing lineup adjustment against Mariners
CHANGE CAN BE A GOOD THING
28 May 2024
CHANGE CAN BE A GOOD THING
Coming off a tough loss on Monday night, the Astros will be making some adjustments to the batting order for Tuesday night's game in Seattle.
Houston manager Joe Espada made his weekly appearance on the Astros flagship station and said he plans on moving Alex Bregman down to fifth in the lineup.
The Astros against Luis Castillo: Altuve 4, Tucker 9, Alvarez 7, Peña 6, Bregman 5, Meyers 8, Singleton DH, Abreu 3, Diaz 2
Brown RHP
— Chandler Rome (@Chandler_Rome) May 28, 2024
Bregman has three hits in his last 30 at-bats, with zero home runs and just 2 RBIs. The last time Bregman was dropped in the order (May 13) he hit sixth against the A's and responded with a huge two home run game.
The following day, he hit fifth and recorded another home run. After that, Bregman returned to the cleanup role, and has yet to hit another dinger.
Perhaps moving Bregman back down will get his bat going once again. Many questioned at the time why Espada would move Bregman back to fourth if he was producing in the five or six spot. Why mess with a good thing? But here we are, moving Bregman back down just two weeks later.
Hopefully, this could provide another spark that could help propel the Astros to a series win over Seattle.
On the bright side
Espada said in his interview today that Luis Garcia is ahead of schedule in his Tommy John rehab and could begin facing hitters soon. If that goes well, rehab starts could be right around the corner. This could be critical to the team's success if Jose Urquidy and Cristian Javier continue to miss time with forearm discomfort.
It's that time of year again! Houston Texans voluntary OTAs got cranking on Wednesday, and once again the team had a great showing from many of their top players.
Who's in attendance?
Also Sheldon Rankins, Henry To'oTo'o, Braxton Berrios.
But To'oTo'o, Berrios, Dalton Schultz, &
Dameon Pierce were in the training room rehabbing. https://t.co/C3gWULbScf
— DJ Bien-Aime (@Djbienaime) May 28, 2025
Let's start with some big names not in attendance. They include Joe Mixon, Christian Harris, Danielle Hunter, and new safety CJ Gardner-Johnson.
As you can see in DJ Bien-Aime's post above, some of the missing players were in the training room.
Interesting note from KPRC 2's Aaron Wilson. Mixon has been in a walking boot, but the issue is reportedly minor.
Several veterans not at #Texans voluntary OTA, including Joe Mixon, who's been in walking boot recently for injury sources call minor, Dalton Schultz, C.J. Gardner-Johnson, Christian Harris, Jimmie Ward (foot surgery), Brevin Jordan (ACL tear last season), Danielle Hunter, Dameon… pic.twitter.com/Db0CUnEwNs
— Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL) May 28, 2025
What does the revamped o-line look like?
Head coach DeMeco Ryans discussed the group and said we should expect a lot of “mixing and matching” as the team looks to find their best five linemen.
Wilson is reporting that rookie second-round pick Aireontae Ersery got work in at both left and right tackle.
Bien-Aime shared below what the first team o-line looked like when going through drills.
Patterson has rotated with the 1s at center.
Aireontae Ersery has rotated with the 1s at RT. https://t.co/G1KAH1Ka3L
— DJ Bien-Aime (@Djbienaime) May 28, 2025
Cam Robinson at left tackle, Laken Tomlinson left guard, Jake Andrews center, Tytus Howard right guard, and Blake Fisher at right tackle. Jarrett Patterson also got some work in at center. Fascinating that Howard was at RG, since he played LG for most of the season. Ersery also rotated in at RT.
How does CJ Stroud look?
And we are back .. Texans OTAs ..
CJ Stroud pic.twitter.com/BKQAoqJVV4
— DJ Bien-Aime (@Djbienaime) May 28, 2025
Stroud is in attendance, but not doing much. Davis Mills is throwing to the receivers.
#Texans backup quarterback Davis Mills is taking first string and second string reps while C.J. Stroud watches. Stroud warmed up and did some drills, but no action at the moment. Seems fine @KPRC2 pic.twitter.com/STIq0qtv7K
— Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL) May 28, 2025
How do the new receivers look?
WR drills.
Nico. Noel. Johnson. Metchie. Higgins. #Texans #OTAs pic.twitter.com/1UecK2xnYR
— Adam Wexler (@AdamJWexler) May 28, 2025
You can watch Nico Collins (No. 12), Jaylin Noel (No. 82), Jayden Higgins (No. 81) and more going through drills in the video above.
Jayden Higgins looks like a tight end. Dude is massive.
Some highlights from his first day at OTAs pic.twitter.com/A0tmNZYhOZ
— Chancellor Johnson (@ChancellorTV) May 28, 2025
Loving this new receiver group! The youth and talent infusion should pay huge dividends.
In conclusion
It's nice to see the guys back in action and to get a sneak peek at the new faces that have joined the squad. It should be a fun year watching the Texans piece together their new-look offense! Go Texans!
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