Astros GM Dana Brown is looking for outfield help. Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images.
It's no secret to Astros fans that offensive production has been almost nonexistent in Houston's outfield for most of the season. Outside of games in which Yordan Alvarez plays left field, the Astros have struggled to get anything going.
That's why the return of Kyle Tucker is so important for the 'Stros. Going into Monday's game against the Phillies, here are the batting averages for three of the outfield options over the last 30 days.
Jake Meyers is hitting .198, Mauricio Dubon .176, and Chas McCormick is sitting at .111.
Which is why we've seen the club add Ben Gamel recently, who's actually done a decent job with his limited opportunities.
Clearly the front office isn't satisfied with the outfield group, as MLB.com's Brian McTaggart is reporting that the Astros are close to signing left-handed veteran outfielder, Jason Heyward.
Source: Astros are close to signing OF Jason Heyward, who was released by the Dodgers.
Heyward, 35, slashed .208/.289/.393 with six homers and 28 RBIs in 63 games with L.A.
— Brian McTaggart (@brianmctaggart) August 27, 2024
McTaggart shared some of his numbers in the post below.
Heyward hit .208 with six homers and a .682 OPS in 63 games with Los Angeles this season and also dealt with injuries that limited his availability. That followed a 2023 season in which he enjoyed somewhat of a career rebound, hitting .269 with 15 homers and an .813 OPS after…
— Brian McTaggart (@brianmctaggart) August 27, 2024
Let's just hope this signing has nothing to do with the Astros' optimism about Tucker returning fully healthy this season.
Christian Walker just gave the Astros a glimpse of what’s possible
Jun 11, 2025, 10:28 pm
Christian Walker homered among his three hits and had a season-high four RBIs to lead the Houston Astros over the Chicago White Sox 10-2 on Wednesday night.
ALL-STAR SMASH.#VoteWalker ⭐️ https://t.co/W06pfHQMR1 pic.twitter.com/DDzNOvnsXt
— Houston Astros (@astros) June 12, 2025
Jose Altuve added two hits to give him 2,300 in his career, joining Dodgers first baseman Freddie Freeman (2,342) as the only active players with at least 2,300.
The GOAT with another milestone.
Congrats to Altuve on 2,300 career hits! #VoteAltuve ⭐️ https://t.co/W06pfHRkGz pic.twitter.com/gtaLqdegqM
— Houston Astros (@astros) June 12, 2025
Altuve got things going with an RBI double in the first. There were two outs in the inning when Walker homered to left field off Sean Burke (3-7) to make it 3-0.
Houston starter Ryan Gusto (4-3) allowed seven hits and two runs with a season-best seven strikeouts in a season-high six innings.
Josh Rojas had two hits for the White Sox, who fell to 7-27 on the road.
Altuve singled with two outs in the third before Yainer Diaz walked. Walker then smacked a line drive to center field for a double to score them both and push the lead to 5-0.
There was one out in the fourth when Cam Smith hit a ground-rule double. With two outs, Jeremy Peña doubled on a ball that bounced off the wall in left field to make it 6-0. Isaac Paredes followed with another RBI double to chase Burke, who yielded eight hits and seven runs — both career highs — in 3 2/3 innings.
Rojas singled in the fifth and moved to third on a ground-rule double by Vinny Capra. Rojas scored on a groundout by Mike Tauchman to cut it to 7-1. Miguel Vargas hit an RBI single to make it 7-2.
Paredes had three hits and two RBIs to help the Astros snap a two-game skid.
Key moment
Walker’s home run that put Houston up 3-0 early.
He talked about his big night following the game.
Christian Walker’s four RBIs were a season-high pic.twitter.com/V2cQWk6pRC
— Brian McTaggart (@brianmctaggart) June 12, 2025
Key stat
Walker had just two RBIs in his previous six games.
Up next
Houston LHP Framber Valdez (6-4, 3.07 ERA) opposes RHP Davis Martin (2-6, 3.62) when the series concludes Thursday night.
