The Houston Astros are doing their part when it comes to pitching, but the offense could stand some improvement if the team wants to catch the red-hot Texas Rangers.
One player that could give the team a boost in that department is Yainer Diaz. Catcher Martin Maldonado is having another poor year at the plate, and Diaz taking some bats from him would provide the team with more offense.
Manager Dusty Baker has been reluctant to play Yainer on a regular basis early in the season, and GM Dana Brown was expecting Diaz to get about 300 at-bats this season.
Diaz can not only catch, he's played some first base this year, and he could certainly be used as a designated hitter. But he was rarely used as a DH even when the team was carrying three catchers.
Currently Diaz is on pace for around 220 at-bats and it looks like Dusty Baker is not seeing eye-to-eye with his GM once again when it comes to Martin Maldonado and his playing time. Just ask former GM James Click.
Be sure to watch the video above as the guys discuss the first public disagreement between Brown and Baker, and what it means moving forward.
Listen to The Killer B's weekdays from Noon-3 PM on ESPN 97.5 and 92.5 FM.
How latest Yordan Alvarez news provides clarity on multiple levels for Astros
May 7, 2025, 12:25 pm
Houston Astros slugger Yordan Alvarez has a strained muscle at the top of his right hand, a diagnosis that instills optimism he won’t have a prolonged stay on the injured list.
The three-time All-Star went on the 10-day injured list Monday, retroactive to Saturday, and returned to Houston for an MRI that revealed the muscle strain.
“We look at it as good news,” Astros manager Joe Espada said before their Wednesday afternoon game with the Milwaukee Brewers.
Espada expressed hope that Alvarez wouldn’t have to stay on the injured list longer than the required 10 days. He also said the hand issue may have played a role in Alvarez’s slow start.
Alvarez, 27, is hitting .210 with a .306 on-base percentage, three homers and 18 RBIs in 29 games this season. He batted .308 with a .392 on-base percentage, 35 homers and 86 RBIs in 147 games last year while ranking ninth in the AL Most Valuable Player balloting.
He has posted an OPS of at least .959 and has finished 13th or higher in the MVP voting each of the last three seasons.
“Once he heals, once he gets back, I think we’ll see a more aggressive at bat and be not as cautious,” Espada said. “I think it had something to do with it, yes.”
His potential return could go a long way toward boosting an Astros lineup that hasn’t been as productive as usual this season. The Astros entered Wednesday’s action ranked 21st in the majors in runs (136) and 23rd in OPS (.676). Houston has ranked 11th or better in both those categories each of the last four seasons.
Most Popular
SportsMap Emails
Are Awesome
Listen Live
