2 weeks agoHouston Astros infielder
Zach Dezenzo (jaw) is back in the team's Grapefruit League lineup on Thursday against the Miami Marlins, playing right field and batting cleanup. Dezenzo suffered a TMJ sprain in his jaw when he was hit in the face by a ground ball on Tuesday. The 24-year-old was cleared to play on Thursday after he avoided a concussion. He will now resume competing for one of the team's final roster spots out of camp as a bench player after playing in his first 19 major-league games in 2024. In 65 plate appearances, Dezenzo went 15-for-62 (.242) with two home runs, eight RBI and five runs scored. He's been better in spring training, going 14-for-37 (.378) with two homers, six RBI, a steal and seven runs scored in 15 Grapefruit League contests. Dezenzo is still developing as a hitter and won't carry much value in fantasy as a bench player if he makes the Opening Day roster.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: The Athletic - Chandler Rome
2 weeks agoHouston Astros manager Joe Espada said on Wednesday that infielder
Zach Dezenzo (jaw) is expected to play in the team's Grapefruit League game on Thursday versus the Miami Marlins. Dezenzo is being seen by team doctors to make sure he doesn't have a concussion, but the 24-year-old appears to be fine after he was hit in the head by a ground ball in camp on Tuesday. He was officially diagnosed with a TMJ sprain on the left side of his jaw. The former 12th-round selection in 2022 out of Ohio State is currently hitting .378 (14-for-37) with two home runs, three doubles, six RBI, one steal and seven runs scored in 15 spring training games as he competes for a bench spot to begin the 2025 season. Dezenzo was a below-average hitter in his first 19 big-league games a year ago and probably would benefit from more time in the minors to begin the season.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com - Brian McTaggart
2 weeks agoHouston Astros infield prospect
Zach Dezenzo (face) suffered a TMJ sprain during Tuesday's spring training contest. Dezenzo was hit by a ground ball on the right side of his face. Brian McTaggart of MLB.com noted that this injury is not expected to be serious, but he will undergo another exam. The 24-year-old has been swinging a hot bat throughout camp, holding a .378/.410/.622 slash line with two long balls and three doubles. The Ohio State product made his MLB debut last summer and posted a .242/.277/.371 slash line with two doubles and two home runs across 19 contests. In 25 games at Triple-A last season, Dezenzo posted an impressive .333/.425/.573 slash line with eight doubles and five home runs. If he were to make the Opening Day roster, he could have value in deeper AL-only formats as a depth infielder.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: Brian McTaggart
2 weeks agoHouston Astros corner infielder
Zach Dezenzo (head) was forced to exit early during Tuesday's spring training contest against the Washington Nationals. Dezenzo was hit in the head by a ground ball, but was able to leave the field under his own power. It's worth noting that the 24-year-old appeared to be dealing with a jaw issue while exiting the field. The expectation is that the Astros will have Dezenzo undergo imaging to determine the severity of the issue. Dezenzo was poised to take on a bigger role in Houston this season, so hopefully it's only a minor issue.
--Andy Webb - RotoBallerSource: Chandler Rome
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