Houston Astros front office throws a curveball with latest revelations
ASTROS DOUBLE DOWN!
05 February
The Astros sound serious about Jose Altuve playing left field. Composite Getty Image.
Astros GM Dana Brown spoke with the media on Tuesday and shared some surprising updates about some of the club's key players.
Firstly, Brown spoke about Alex Bregman as if he's no longer in Houston's plans. Which shouldn't come as much of a surprise considering the moves Houston made to replace Breggy and Tucker.
It feels like any hope for Alex's return to Houston is coming from agent Scott Boras looking to use the 'Stros as leverage.
Yet, with Bregman unlikely to return, the team is still looking to play Jose Altuve in left field. Moving Altuve to left made some sense if they were doing it to accommodate Bregman, but reports suggest Houston would have done the same thing had they signed Mariners infielder Jorge Polanco, who has defensive issues of his own.
It sounds strange, but Brown made a point of saying Altuve looked good in left field. One has to wonder if another move is coming, or if Mauricio Dubon plays second base when Houston's top ground ball pitchers (Framber Valdez, Hunter Brown) make their starts.
Health updates
Brown shared optimism about the return of Lance McCullers, who is currently throwing off a mound and reaching 90mph. As much as we would love to see McCullers return, it's hard for many to get too excited after a few positive throwing sessions. But hey, never say never. They could certainly use him.
It was also revealed at the presser that Luis Garcia is throwing on flat ground with no issues. While that is good news, we expected Garcia would be further along in his recovery. Pitchers and catchers report in about a week, and he's still not throwing off a mound. Hopefully that changes sooner rather than later.
Don't miss the video above as ESPN Houston's John Granato and Lance Zierlein try to make sense out of the latest updates from the Astros, and much more!
A timely blast from Caratini fuels another Astros win
Jul 1, 2025, 11:32 pm
Victor Caratini hit his third career grand slam, Christian Walker went 3 for 4 with an RBI and the Houston Astros beat the Colorado Rockies 6-5 on Tuesday night.
CARATINI GRAND SLAM!#BuiltForThis pic.twitter.com/Rtrlwz9dfo
— Houston Astros (@astros) July 2, 2025
The Astros have won seven of eight and 15 of their last 19 games.
The Rockies have lost nine of 11 following their first four-game winning streak, falling to a major league-worst 19-66. Colorado’s losses are tied for the most by a major league team in the modern era through the first 85 games.
The Rockies are 8-33 at Coors Field, tied with the 2003 Tigers for the worst start through the first 41 home games of a season in the modern era.
Caratini’s homer in the third gave Houston a 6-1 lead.
Houston reliever Bennett Sousa (2-0) kept Colorado scoreless in the sixth and Bryan Abreu struck out the side in the eighth. Josh Hader added two strikeouts in the ninth to improve to 24 for 24 in save chances — the longest perfect streak in club history to open a season.
Colorado rookie Chase Dollander (2-9) allowed six earned runs in 2 2/3 innings, his shortest start of the season.
Hunter Goodman hit solo homers in the first and ninth innings for his fifth career two-homer game.
Colorado's Jordan Beck had his first career five-hit game.
Key moment
Dollander thew the ball into center field on a pickoff attempt with no outs in the third to put runners on first and third. Jake Meyers picked up an RBI on a fielder’s choice to give Houston the lead for good at 2-1.
Key stat
Jose Altuve went 0 for 4 to remain one hit shy of tying Jeff Bagwell (2,314) for second place on the Astros career hits list.
Astros manager Joe Espada caught up with MLB.com's Brian McTaggart after the game.
Astros manager Joe Espada after the win in Colorado. pic.twitter.com/G0xi7ojYEl
— Brian McTaggart (@brianmctaggart) July 2, 2025
Up next
Hunter Brown (8-3, 1.74 ERA), who has the fourth-lowest ERA through the first 16 starts of a season in Astros history, faces Austin Gomber (0-1, 6.14) on Wednesday.
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