Dubon will start at second base and bat eighth in Wednesday's game against the Padres.
Dubon doesn't have a clear path to a spot at any one position, but his versatility and hot bat will allow him to stick in the lineup for an eighth consecutive game. He's produced an impressive .382/.400/.412 battling line over 14 games so far in September, though Dubon hasn't supplemented it with many counting stats (zero home runs, zero steals, five RBI and four runs).
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Astros' Jason Heyward: Picks up fourth consecutive start
Rotowire
Heyward will start in right field and bat seventh in Wednesday's game against the Padres.
Heyward has picked up starts in five consecutive matchups with right-handers and should have a relatively clear path to a strong-side platoon role in left field with Ben Gamel (fibula) recently joining Chas McCormick (hand) on the injured list. Since signing with Houston on Aug. 29, Heyward has slashed .235/.278/.441 with two home runs, six RBI, six runs and one stolen base in 16 games.
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Astros' Victor Caratini: Sitting Wednesday
Rotowire
Caratini is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Padres.
Caratini is on the bench for the second day in a row after he had previously started four consecutive games. He should continue to see semi-regular playing time while the Astros have been rotating a number of players at first base, including Caratini and fellow catcher Yainer Diaz.
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Astros' Kyle Tucker: Taking seat Wednesday
Rotowire
Tucker is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Padres.
The Astros continue to manage Tucker's workload carefully coming off an extended absence due to a shin fracture. Since returning from the injured list Sept. 6, Tucker has bowed out of the lineup four times in 12 games. The reins on Tucker gradually appear to be loosening, however, as he started in right field each of the past three days after previously being limited to designated-hitter duties in four of his first five starts upon returning from the IL.
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Astros' Hector Neris: First 2024 save with Houston
Rotowire
Neris got the save in Tuesday's 4-3 win over the Padres, allowing a walk and striking out a batter over a scoreless inning.
Neris picked up his 18th save of the season but his first of the year with the Astros after getting the ball in the 10th inning on the heels of Josh Hader recording the previous four outs. As he's done many times this season, Neris pitched his way into trouble, loading the bases with two outs before getting Manny Machado to ground out to end the game. Neris' reunion with the Astros has been a success so far, as he's posted a 2.53 ERA, 0.66 WHIP and 9:2 K:BB in 10.2 innings over 11 appearances.
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Astros' Josh Hader: Picks up win
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Hader (8-7) was charged with a blown save but got the win over the Padres on Tuesday after striking out two over 1.1 scoreless innings.
Hader relieved Ryan Pressly with two outs and a runner on third in the eighth and allowed Fernando Tatis to score on a wild pitch to tie the game before recording the third out. Hader made quick work of the Padres in the ninth and wound up with the win after the Astros scored in the 10th and held off the Friars in the bottom of the frame. Tuesday was Hader's first time recording more than three outs since Aug. 14 and he's now punched out multiple batters in three of his last four appearances. The 30-year-old left-hander has posted a 3.26 ERA, 0.90 WHIP and 98:22 K:BB in 66.1 innings this season while racking up 31 saves.
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Astros' Hunter Brown: Bounces back against Padres
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Brown did not factor into the decision Tuesday against the Padres, allowing two runs on five hits and a walk while striking out three over six innings.
Brown blanked the Padres up until the sixth inning when Manny Machado swatted a two-run homer to even the game up at 2-2. The long ball was the only extra-base hit allowed by Brown, who has now allowed a homer in back-to-back starts for the first time since July. Brown's three strikeouts were also his lowest since he had three back on May 22, but he's given the Astros five quality starts in his last six outings. He'll take a 3.57 ERA, 1.28 WHIP and 171:57 K:BB in 164 innings into a start against the Mariners to begin next week.
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Astros' Kyle Tucker: Swipes bag
Rotowire
Tucker went 2-for-4 with a walk, a steal, an RBI and a run in Tuesday's win over the Padres.
Tucker was one of two Astros to have multiple hits on the night and his second hit was a big one, as he drove in what would end up being the game-winning run with a single in the top of the 10th. While Tucker started out 1-for-10 over his first three games after returning from a fractured shin Sept. 6, he has since gone 8-for-21 with three RBI and five runs scored over the last seven games while also swiping his first base since coming back.
Altuve was ejected in the ninth inning of Tuesday's game against the Padres after arguing that he fouled a pitch off his foot.
Altuve went as far as taking off his shoe and sock in an effort to prove to home-plate umpire Brennan Miller that he hit a foul ball off his foot rather than a grounder in fair territory. However, Miller didn't seem to appreciate being presented with Altuve's bare foot, so the veteran second baseman was immediately tossed from the game. He had gone 1-for-5 with two strikeouts before being ejected.
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Astros' Cesar Salazar: Back in big leagues
Rotowire
The Astros recalled Salazar from Triple-A Sugar Land on Tuesday.
Salazar will rejoin the big-league squad to provide the Astros with an additional bench bat as Ben Gamel (fibula) moves to the injured list. Salazar has gone 7-for-23 with eight RBI through 10 games in the majors, but he may struggle to receive playing time while serving as Houston's No. 3 catcher.
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Astros' Ben Gamel: Placed on injured list
Rotowire
The Astros placed Gamel on the 10-day injured list Tuesday with a left fibula fracture, retroactive to Sunday.
Gamel was initially diagnosed with a left knee contusion after running into the outfield wall during Saturday's contest, but further evaluation confirmed he instead fractured his fibula. The Astros have yet to announce a return timeline for the 32-year-old, though it's possible his injury keeps him out of action for the rest of the regular season. Cesar Salazar was recalled from Triple-A Sugar Land in a corresponding move.
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Astros' Jake Meyers: Out of Tuesday's lineup
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Meyers is not in the lineup for Tuesday's game in San Diego, Jeff Sanders of The San Diego Union-Tribune reports.
Meyers has been dealing with an ankle injury, but was still able to play Sunday and came off the bench Monday. Meyers is getting some more rest Tuesday with Mauricio Dubon patrolling center field and batting ninth.
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Astros' Jon Singleton: Back in action
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Singleton (illness) is starting at first base and batting sixth Tuesday in San Diego, Jeff Sanders of The San Diego Union-Tribune reports.
SIngleton missed Monday's game due to illness after he was a late scratch for Sunday's matchup with the Angels. With his return to the lineup, Victor Caratini is back on the bench.
Altuve went 2-for-4 with a double, a stolen base and a run scored in Monday's 3-1 loss to the Padres.
Altuve was the only Astro with multiple hits in the contest, and it's the sixth time in nine games he's recorded multiple knocks. The speedy second baseman is up to 22 steals on 29 attempts this year, his most thefts in a season since 2017. He's added a steady .302/.357/.447 slash line with 19 home runs, 63 RBI and 89 runs scored over 145 contests out of the leadoff role.
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Astros' Spencer Arrighetti: Takes low-scoring loss
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Arrighetti (7-13) allowed two runs on eight hits and a walk while striking out three over five innings, taking the loss versus the Padres on Monday.
Arrighetti allowed an RBI double to Manny Machado in the first inning and a solo home run to Jackson Merrill in the fourth. This was Arrighetti's third straight outing without a win, though he's limited opponents to two runs or fewer in four of his last five starts. The rookie right-hander is now at a 4.68 ERA, 1.43 WHIP and 161:62 K:BB through 136.2 innings over 27 starts. His next start is projected to be at home versus the Angels.
Gamel (knee) will be placed on the 10-day injured list, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.
Gamel hasn't been in the starting lineup the last two days after suffering a left knee contusion during Saturday's game, and the team has since decided that he'll require a trip to the injured list. Jason Heyward and Mauricio Dubon should see more chances in left field while Gamel is on the mend.
