1 week agoAs expected, Houston Astros first baseman
Christian Walker (oblique) is at first base and is batting cleanup in his debut with the team on Opening Day on Thursday against the visiting New York Mets and right-hander
Clay Holmes at Daikin Park in Houston. The Astros shut Walker down in spring training on March 2 with left-oblique soreness, and he didn't make another appearance in Grapefruit League action. However, Walker was able to get at-bats in a minor-league setting last weekend and was deemed ready to go for Opening Day. The 33-year-old right-handed power hitter went 4-for-8 with three doubles in the four Grapefruit League contests he appeared in, and he should be a stable power bat for fantasy managers in the middle of Houston's lineup in his first year with the team in 2025 as long as he stays healthy. Walker has faced Holmes just twice in his career and has a solo homer against him.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
1 week agoHouston Astros first baseman
Christian Walker (oblique) took seven at-bats in a minor-league game on Tuesday and will travel back to Houston in the evening. He is still expected to be in the Opening Day lineup on Thursday against the New York Mets, according to manager Joe Espada. An oblique injury suffered in spring training limited Walker to only four Grapefruit League games, so it wouldn't be a surprise to see him get off to a slow start at the plate in his first year in Houston. The 33-year-old veteran right-handed slugger is by no means an elite fantasy first baseman, but he's been among the most consistent power threats at the position the last three years with the Arizona Diamondbacks, producing two 30-homer campaigns while driving in 281 runs the last three seasons. His new home in Houston should help him continue that run as long as he stays healthy.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: The Athletic - Chandler Rome
2 weeks agoBrian McTaggart of MLB.com reports that Houston Astros first baseman
Christian Walker (oblique) is on track to be ready for Opening Day. Walker has been sidelined since early March with left oblique soreness and has been relegated to hitting in the cages. However, he's set to get at-bats in minor-league games this weekend and will hang back to get some more while the team returns to Houston. It's good news for the veteran, as Houston will look for him to supplement some of the production lost by the departures of third baseman
Alex Bregman (Red Sox) and outfielder
Kyle Tucker (Cubs). The power-hitting righty saw his home run total drop a bit in 2024, though he played in 130 games instead of the 157+ he appeared in over the prior two seasons. He's often off the boards inside the top 75 in fantasy drafts.
--Alex CiullaSource: Brian McTaggart
2 weeks agoHouston Astros manager Joe Espada said on Wednesday that first baseman
Christian Walker (oblique) is on track to play in Grapefruit League games this weekend. Walker is cutting it close to be ready for Opening Day next Thursday, but as long as he doesn't suffer a setback with his oblique when he resumes playing in games, he should be ready. The 33-year-old dealt with a sore left oblique in early March and has been held out of spring games since as a precaution. The good news is that Walker has been hitting in the cages, but he has also only had 10 plate appearances in spring training to this point. Fantasy managers shouldn't rule out Walker getting out to a slow start in 2025 in his first year with the Astros after signing a three-year, $60 million deal in December. The right-handed power hitter has been a consistent power hitter when healthy the last eight years with the D-backs, though.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com - Brian McTaggart
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