PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. -- The Astros are about halfway through their stay in Florida for Spring Training and still have three weeks’ worth of Grapefruit League games remaining to decide on the composition of their 26-man roster for Opening Day.
Here’s a look at where some of their key roster battles stand.
What’s going on in the outfield?
With Jose Altuve back at second base this season and Yordan Alvarez slated for most of his at-bats at designated hitter, there’s a job to be won in left field. Joey Loperfido, acquired last month in a trade with Toronto, has been splitting time in left this spring with rookie Zach Cole and Taylor Trammell. Zach Dezenzo has played out there as well.
Loperfido, Cole and Trammell, who’s not on the 40-man roster, have also gotten starts in right field, along with Cam Smith -- a Gold Glove finalist at the position last year as a rookie. Smith will have to win the starting job this spring, but he’s also been getting time in center field, which brings us to veteran Jake Meyers.
Manager Joe Espada has yet to anoint the incumbent Meyers the starter in center. The club attempted all winter to trade him, which could still be in their plans. Cole, Smith and prospect Brice Matthews are getting reps in center this spring to give the Astros a better idea of their options at the position.
“I’m looking and waiting to see how the team shapes up overall,” Espada said. “Who makes sense to carry on the bench? Who can come off the bench and put a good at-bat together? Who can come off the bench and run for someone? Who can I leave on the field for a defensive replacement? All those things, we're just working through it.”
Of course, the Astros would still like to trade for a left-handed bat, which would likely come in the form of an outfielder. Things could look a lot different in the next couple of weeks.
How’s the bullpen shaping up?
All-Star closer Josh Hader has yet to pitch off a mound this spring after coming down with left bicep tendinitis just before the start of camp. With each passing day, it becomes less likely he will be ready for Opening Day, though Espada said a few days ago he wasn’t ready to make that declaration.
If Hader and fellow reliever Enyel De Los Santos (right knee strain) aren’t ready to go, that will open two more spots, with Bryan Abreu, Bryan King, Steven Okert and Bennett Sousa as locks. Rule 5 pick Roddery Muñoz will be given a long look, but Espada would like to carry a couple of long relief options, too. Kai-Wei Teng and AJ Blubaugh could have the inside track as long relievers; Nate Pearson (right elbow) has yet to pitch in a game.
“Ultimately, when it comes down to putting a team together and keeping in mind how many games we play early, is it going to be a five- or six-man rotation, and who can give me multiple innings out of the bullpen?” Espada said. “We’re going to let that play out.”
And what about the rotation?
This is perhaps the most fascinating position battle of them all, considering the pitching depth the Astros added this winter. Mike Burrows, acquired in a trade from the Pirates, has looked terrific this spring and should be a solid addition behind Hunter Brown. Japanese star Tatsuya Imai needed 10 pitches to throw one scoreless inning on Thursday in his first game action.
The Astros had to be thrilled on Friday to see veteran Lance McCullers Jr. touching 95 mph in his first start of the spring, an eight-pitch scoreless outing. Cristian Javier, who returned from Tommy John surgery last year, will make his Grapefruit League debut on Tuesday in an exhibition against Venezuela’s World Baseball Classic team.
If the Astros go with a six-man rotation to start the year, that will leave Spencer Arrighetti, newcomer Ryan Weiss, Jason Alexander and Colton Gordon battling for one spot. Weiss was signed out of Korea as a starter but could also be a long relief option.