Climbing Tal's Hill

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Jose Altuve injury watch has one Astros prospect on the verge of call-up

2 days ago | climbingtalshill.com | Drew Koch

Houston Astros left fielder Jose Altuve is currently day-to-day with a hamstring injury, but an IL stint could be imminent. Altuve was out of the lineup during Houston's 6-0 victory over the Reds, but if his absence will extend into the week, the Astros may have no choice but to place the former MVP on the injured list. If Altuve hits the IL, Shay Whitcomb should be the unquestioned choice to replace him. Whitcomb had a cup of coffee with the Astros last season.
Astros fans are all smiles as Rangers’ front office hits the panic button

1 week ago | climbingtalshill.com | Drew Koch

It's not even Memorial Day, but the Rangers have seen enough. Over the weekend, the Rangers' front office, much to the delight of the Houston Astros and their fanbase, made a couple moves that signal sheer panic. The Rangers relieved offensive coordinator Donnie Ecker — didn't realize the Bruce Bochy's club was playing football nowadays — of his duties, and also placed World Series champion Leody Taveras on outright waivers.
Astros hit fans with Yordan Alvarez injury update they’ve been dreading

1 week ago | climbingtalshill.com | Eric Cole

The Houston Astros have done well to tread water so far this season. The pitching staff has been great, but the offense has struggled to live up to the standards that previous Astros lineups from recent years have set. A big part of the issue is that Yordan Alvarez hasn't been himself and the news from Monday isn't going to help that goal. Through 121 plate appearances this season, Alvarez sports just a .210/.306/.340 which is well below what fans expect to see out of him.
Astros picked the wrong rookie and Zach Dezenzo won’t let them forget it

1 week ago | climbingtalshill.com | Drew Koch

The entire Houston Astros fanbase was on the Cam Smith hype train earlier this year. The former Cubs farmhand — acquired by the Astros in the Kyle Tucker trade — lit up opposition during spring training and earned a spot on Houston's Opening Day roster. But lately, fellow rookie Zach Dezenzo has stolen some of the spotlight from Smith, and is proving that he may be Houston's best option in right field at the moment.
Lance McCullers Jr.'s strong return shouldn’t change Astros plans going forward

1 week ago | climbingtalshill.com | Eric Cole

Lance McCullers Jr. checked a lot of boxes for the Houston Astros in his first MLB start since 2022. After numerous injuries and setbacks, McCullers was finally back on the bump for the Astros on Sunday. McCullers didn't give up an earned run, struck out roughly one batter per inning, and his stuff looked good. Obviously going a little deeper in the game would've been better, but throwing 87 pitches in his first action after two-plus years on the IL was more than enough.
Lance McCullers Jr. having successful return vital to Astros’ novel rotation plans

1 week ago | climbingtalshill.com | Eric Cole

Most Houston Astros fans have heard by now that Lance McCullers Jr. is scheduled to make his first start of 2025 on Sunday. It'll his first appearance in the big leagues since 2022. It's been a long road back for McCullers and fans are excited to see what he's capable of after all this time. McCullers' showing on Sunday could greatly affect Houston's rotation plans for the month of May. Obviously the Astros could use a healthy and effective McCullers back in their rotation.
Astros cannot waste Lance McCullers opportunity against one of MLB’s worst teams

1 week ago | climbingtalshill.com | Drew Koch

Lance McCullers Jr.'s return to a major league mound on Sunday has a chance to be something very special. Due to a variety of injuries, the Houston Astros right-hander has not pitched in a major league game since the team's 2022 postseason run. Fortunately, McCullers will be back on the bump this Sunday against the Chicago White Sox. If there was ever a team to face that would allow a player to ease his way back into MLB-form, it's the White Sox.
Astros’ hidden hero during their bounce-back stretch vindicates offseason trade

1 week ago | climbingtalshill.com | Eric Cole

The new-look Houston Astros are off to a decent start in 2025. The Astros (16-14) are second in the AL West, trailing only the Seattle Mariners, and Houston's pitching staff — thought to be a potential weakness coming into the season — has been one of the best in all of baseball. However, one name that hasn't received enough love and attention is Isaac Paredes. Paredes had an impossible task entering this season. He was replacing an Astros legend in Alex Bregman at third base.
Astros can’t keep ignoring the warning signs in Yainer Diaz’s swing decisions

1 week ago | climbingtalshill.com | Drew Koch

It's doubtful that Houston Astros catcher Yainer Diaz has ever heard the words, "Take your base," from the home plate umpire — at least not when he's in the batters' box. The Astros backstop has never seen a pitch he didn't like, and that a problem that the Houston coaching staff has to get under control if Diaz is every going to realize his true potential. There's a lot of blue on Diaz's Baseball Savant page these days. For those unfamiliar, that's very much not a good thing.
Here’s why Astros won’t budge and will give Lance McCullers Jr. every chance to stick

2 weeks ago | climbingtalshill.com | Eric Cole

Houston Astros fans have been eager to see Lance McCullers Jr. take the mound again, and they'll get their chance this Sunday. McCullers is scheduled to return to the Astros' rotation for the team's upcoming series against the Chicago White Sox. When he's healthy and pitching up to his potential, McCullers is an All-Star caliber pitcher who would unquestionably make Astros a better team.