The Astros recalled Kessinger from Triple-A Sugar Land on Thursday, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.
He will give the Astros another infielder while Jose Altuve (side) is banged up. Kessinger is hitless in 15 at-bats at the major-league level this season.
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Astros' Grae Kessinger: Back down to Sugar Land
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The Astros optioned Kessinger to Triple-A Sugar Land on Monday.
Kessinger was moved off the 26-man active roster in favor of Aledmys Diaz, whose contract was selected ahead of Monday's game against the Athletics. After being called up from Sugar Land on July 2, Kessinger appeared in just four games and went hitless over four at-bats. He had been slashing .283/.356/.387 over 118 plate appearances with Sugar Land prior to his promotion.
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Astros' Grae Kessinger: Recalled from Triple-A
Rotowire
The Astros recalled Kessinger from Triple-A Sugar Land on Tuesday, Ari Alexander of KPRC 2 in Houston reports.
Kessinger is hitless in 11 at-bats during his time with the big club this season. He will give the Astros some defensive versatility in the infield.
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Astros' Grae Kessinger: Pushed off MLB roster
Rotowire
Kessinger was optioned to Triple-A Sugar Land on Tuesday, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.
Kessinger hasn't logged an at-bat since May 11 while operating as a reserve infielder for the Astros. Trey Cabbage will take Kessinger's spot on the 26-man roster.
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Astros' Grae Kessinger: Back from injured list
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Kessinger (shoulder) was reinstated from the 10-day injured list Friday, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.
Kessinger spent the minimum 10 days on the injured list recovering from shoulder discomfort before being activated Friday. In a corresponding move, Jacob Amaya was optioned to Triple-A Sugar Land. Kessinger made just one start with the Astros in April before his IL stint.
Kessinger (shoulder) will begin a rehab assignment with Triple-A Sugar Land on Sunday, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports.
Kessinger has been on the 10-day injured list since April 30 with right shoulder discomfort. Once he's activated from the IL, Kessinger will likely see limited opportunities with the Astros as a utility infielder.
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Astros' Grae Kessinger: Resumes baseball activity
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Kessinger (shoulder) has resumed baseball activity, MLB.com reports.
Kessinger was on the field Saturday before Houston's game, marking his first activity since hitting the injured list April 30. Despite the progress, he's not expected back on the field until late May.
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Astros' Grae Kessinger: Heads to 10-day IL
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Kessinger was placed on the 10-day injured list Tuesday with right shoulder discomfort, 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.
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Astros' Grae Kessinger: Makes season debut Monday
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Kessinger (hamstring) grounded out in his lone plate appearance in Monday's 10-0 loss to the Blue Jays.
Kessinger didn't see make any Grapefruit League or exhibition appearances after March 18 while he recovered from a right hamstring strain, but he showcased enough improvement last week to be included on the Astros' Opening Day roster as a reserve infielder. With the Astros building a 10-run lead after seven innings, Kessinger got the chance to make his season debut in the bottom of the eighth as a pinch hitter for designated hitter Yordan Alvarez. He's still waiting to make his debut in the field, but Kessinger at least looks to be healthy now.
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Astros' Grae Kessinger: Shut down for a few days
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Astros manager Joe Espada said Tuesday that Kessinger (hamstring) will be held out of activities for a few days, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.
Kessinger strained his right hamstring during Monday's Grapefruit League game against the Marlins and remained sore Tuesday. While Espada hasn't ruled the 26-year-old out for Opening Day, a stint on the injured list is distinctly possible.
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Astros' Grae Kessinger: Diagnosed with hamstring strain
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Kessinger suffered a right hamstring strain during Monday's exhibition against Miami, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.
Kessinger suffered the injury while running the bases, and his availability for the start of the regular season is in jeopardy following this diagnosis. The 26-year-old is expected to be re-evaluated within the next few days to determine his next steps and a potential timetable for a return.
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Astros' Grae Kessinger: Nursing hamstring injury
Rotowire
Kessinger was pulled from Monday's Grapefruit League game against the Marlins due to right hamstring discomfort, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.
He tweaked his hamstring while running the bases. It's unclear at this point whether additional testing is planned, but consider him day-to-day for now. Kissinger is competing for a reserve infielder role with Houston.
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Astros' Grae Kessinger: Tweaks leg Monday
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Kessinger was removed in the second inning of Monday's Grapefruit League game against the Marlins after he appeared to injure his right leg while running the bases, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports.
After doubling in his lone at-bat of the day, Kessinger pulled up limping when he rounded third base before coming around to score on Yordan Alvarez's base hit. He checked out of the game in the bottom of the second, with Tommy Sacco coming on to replace Kessinger in the middle infield. Consider Kessinger day-to-day until the Astros provide an update on the nature and extent of his injury.
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Astros' Grae Kessinger: Defensive versatility could pay off
Rotowire
Kessinger has a chance to win the final bench spot on Houston's big-league roster out of spring training, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.
Kessinger made his major-league debut in 2023, though he drew only 45 plate appearances. He's played every infield position as a pro except for catcher, a skill set that will be valuable for the Astros. Kessinger's fantasy appeal is far more limited, as he's unlikely to see regular at-bats without several significant injuries in Houston's lineup, and he offers little in the way of power or stolen base production.
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Astros' Grae Kessinger: Makes ALDS roster
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Kessinger is listed on the Astros' ALDS roster, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.
Kessinger played a minimal role with the Astros during the regular season, slashing .200/.289/.325 across just 45 plate appearances. However, he went 3-for-12 with a homer against left-handed pitchers, so Kessinger may enter occasionally to pinch hit against southpaws.
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Astros' Grae Kessinger: Activated to MLB roster
Rotowire
Houston activated Kessinger (illness) from the COVID-19 injured list Friday, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.
Kessinger has been away from the Astros since Aug. 19 due to COVID-like symptoms. The 26-year-old infielder returns to a .194/.293/.333 slash line through his first 41 major-league plate appearances.
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Astros' Grae Kessinger: Plays in rehab game
Rotowire
Kessinger (illness) began a rehab assignment at Triple-A Sugar Land on Saturday and went 1-for-3 with a walk while playing nine innings at third base.
Kessinger has already spent the required seven days on the COVID-19-related injured list, so he'll be eligible for activation whenever the Astros deem him ready. Prior to being deactivated, Kessinger had been seeing light work as a utility man for Houston.
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Astros' Grae Kessinger: Lands on injured list
Rotowire
Kessinger was placed on the injured list Saturday due to health and safety protocols, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.
The ambiguous language used by the Astros matches the language typically used by teams when players land on the COVID-19 injured list. Assuming that's the case, it's difficult to say exactly when Kessinger will be able to return. Corey Julks was called up to take his roster spot.
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Astros' Grae Kessinger: Gets leadoff look
Rotowire
Kessinger is starting at second base and batting leadoff Saturday versus Oakland.
Kessinger has made a nice impression in limited action since being called up by the Astros in early June, boasting an .890 OPS through his first 24 major-league plate appearances. Mauricio Dubon is on the bench Saturday and Jose Altuve (oblique) is likely to be on the injured list for another week.
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Astros' Grae Kessinger: Smacks first career homer
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Kessinger went 2-for-4 with a solo home run in Tuesday's 4-1 win over the Rockies.
Though Kessinger had appeared in just six games since being called up in early June, he drew the starting nod Tuesday after Jose Altuve (oblique) was scratched from the lineup. Kessinger got to work early, hitting a solo homer off Kyle Freeland in the third for his first MLB round-tripper, then followed it up with a single in the eighth for his first career multi-hit game. With Altuve and Jeremy Pena (neck) each battling lingering injuries, Kessinger could receive more action in the near future if either of the pair misses more time.
