Houston Astros Set 25-Man Roster For Opening Day
By Yoni Pollak
The Houston Astros have set their 25-man roster for Opening Day, with Michael Feliz earning the last roster spot over James Hoyt.
Lance McCullers Jr., Evan Gattis and Max Stassi will start the season on the 15-day DL. All three are expected to rejoin the Major League team once healthy.
In the meantime, here’s the roster breakdown:
Hitters
C – Jason Castro, Erik Kratz
1B – Tyler White, Matt Duffy
2b – Jose Altuve
SS – Carlos Correa
3B – Luis Valbuena, Marwin Gonzalez
OF – George Springer, Carlos Gomez, Colby Rasmus, Jake Marisnick, Preston Tucker
Pitchers
SP1 – Dallas Keuchel
SP2 – Collin McHugh
SP3 – Mike Fiers
SP4 – Scott Feldman
SP5 – Doug Fister
RP – Michael Feliz, Josh Fields, Pat Neshek, Will Harris, Tony Sipp, Luke Gregerson, Ken Giles
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When healthy, I expect Kratz, Duffy and Feliz to be sent down to the Minor Leagues. At that point, McCullers will likely head to the rotation with one of the back three rotation members being pushed to the bullpen. Gattis will spend most of his time at DH, while Tucker will rotate at DH and OF.
White starts the year at 1B, but expect Astros manager A.J. Hinch to get creative if White struggles out of the game. Duffy and Gonzalez will likely see some starts at first base early in the season and it’s possible we see Tucker or Valbuena there as well.
Hinch has yet to name a closer, though it’s expected that Giles will get the first crack. Gregerson is breathing down his back after a great spring, so Giles needs to be sharp early or Hinch will quickly go with the veteran Gregerson.
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