Javier (neck) could be activated from the injured list and start during Houston's weekend series against Seattle, MLB.com reports. Javier threw a bullpen session Sunday and is expected to throw again either Wednesday or Thursday. That will likely determine his status for the weekend, though it appears that Javier will be able to avoid a rehab stint even if his absence extends later into May.
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Javier (neck) could be activated from the injured list and start during Houston's weekend series against Seattle, MLB.com reports. Javier threw a bullpen session Sunday and is expected to throw again either Wednesday or Thursday. That will likely determine his status for the weekend, though it appears that Javier will be able to avoid a rehab stint even if his absence extends later into May.
Bregman went 1-for-5 with a three-run home run Tuesday against the Guardians. Bregman has been off to a slow start this season but has improved of late, as he's collected six hits in his last 23 at-bats. He also slugged his first home run of the season Tuesday. While Bregman has only a .078 ISO in 113 plate appearances this season, he's striking out at just a 12.4 percent clip, meaning his .216 average should continue to rise.
Singleton went 1-for-4 with a three-run home run, a walk and two runs scored Tuesday against the Guardians. Singleton was perhaps surprisingly in the lineup and starting at first base despite the promotion of Joey Loperfido. Singleton began his day with a walk before coming around to score in the third inning, and he followed that up one plate appearance later with his first home run of the campaign. He has the chance to see additional at-bats at first base with Jose Abreu demoted to the minors and Loperfido picking up at least some starts in the outfield. However, for Singleton to maintain regular plate appearances, he'll need to improve upon his .239/.327/.348 line.
Caratini went 1-for-1 with a two-run home run during Tuesday's 10-9 extra-inning win over the Guardians. Caratini pinch-hit for Jake Meyers in the 10th frame and delivered the game-winning home run. The long ball was his second of the campaign and marked his third straight game scoring a run. While Caratini is slashing .314/.368/.571 with eight runs scored and eight RBI in 38 at-bats, he's been overshadowed by starting catcher Yainer Diaz, who has also been excellent at the plate.
Hader (1-2) earned the win Tuesday, allowing one unearned run on one hit and one walk with four strikeouts over two innings against the Guardians. Hader surrendered a double to David Fry in the 10th inning that plated designated runner Josh Naylor as the go-ahead run. Still, Hader ended up with his first victory of the campaign following a Victor Caratini walk-off homer. After a bounce-back 2023 season, Hader looks to be back in his 2022 form when he posted a 5.22 ERA across 56 appearances, owning a 6.39 ERA across 12.2 innings this year.
Brown didn't factor into the decision Tuesday, allowing six runs on five hits and two walks across 5.1 innings against Cleveland. He struck out seven. Brown gave up at least five runs for the third time in his last five starts and walked multiple batters for the fifth time this season. He was tagged for a three-run home run in the first inning by Josh Naylor and a two-run home run in the sixth by Andres Gimenez. Through six appearances, Brown is 0-3 with a 9.78 ERA and a 2.22 WHIP over 23.0 innings. He's lined up for a start against the Mariners on Sunday.
Kessinger (right shoulder discomfort) was placed on the 10-day injured list on Tuesday, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports. Kessinger has only been featured in the Astros' starting lineup once this season and remains hitless through 10 plate appearances across eight games. Joey Loperfido will take Kessinger's spot on the active roster and is part of Houston's starting lineup Tuesday.
Astros GM Dana Brown said Tuesday that Abreu is not with the MLB club and will be optioned to the Astros Florida Complex League affiliate Wednesday, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports. The 37-year-old has struggled to a .099/.156/.113 slash line in 77 plate appearances through the first month of the season, so he'll voluntarily head to Houston's FCL affiliate in an attempt to "get some at-bats and his timing back right," per Brown. It will be the first time in the minors for Abreu, as he immediately joined the White Sox after coming up from Cuba in 2014 and has never had a minor-league rehab assignment.
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