With the Houston Astros gearing up for another grueling MLB season, the final touches to the roster are being meticulously laid out. While major positions are locked in, the competition is fresh for the remaining bench spots, as the team looks for the perfect mix to back up their starting lineup. According to an early March report by Click2Houston, a select few are vying for those coveted roles, with some players like Trey Cabbage and Grae Kessinger being frontrunners in the race.
Backup catcher Victor Caratini is set to adorn the bench after his signing, filling in the space vacated behind the dish. Mauricio Dubon, reigning supreme with an AL Gold Glove for Utility players, is coined to be Houston's jack-of-all-trades. Meanwhile, prospects such as Jon Singleton, David Hensley, and Corey Julks along with others are in the running to complete the bench puzzle. Singleton, though a powerhouse in Triple-A, has had struggles maintaining an impact at the major league level, managing a .624 OPS with the Astros.
On the pitcher's mound, starter J.P. France is nursing a shoulder issue which seems to have solidified the five-man rotation with the assumption the ace Justin Verlander will be game-ready on opening day. A report from MLB.com mentioned Verlander's delayed arrival to training camp due to shoulder woes. Nonetheless, the expectation is that the seasoned pitcher will recover and lead the charge when the season commences. France lags behind Verlander in this recovery race, clouding his status as the season beckons.
Onlookers of the Astros will take notice of the new blood potentially warming the bench. Players like Cabbage, plucked from waivers and boasting an impressive 30 home runs and 32 steals in Triple-A last year, are earmarked for glory. He's been touted by Astros GM Dana Brown for his power and speed, even if his strikeout rates have called for a swing adjustment. Kessinger, a favorite to land one of the final spots, is praised for his composure and proved to be a steady hand despite a modest .614 OPS in limited major league appearances.
The bullpen narrative weaves its own intrigue with the advent of the 2024 season. While some slots are nailed down with the likes of Josh Hader, the intrigue blossoms with potential openings due to Bryan Abreu's suspension and injuries within ranks. Sleeper candidates might just swoop into the mix, taking spots in a bullpen that looks to cement itself as one of the sturdy facets of an Astros team hungry for sustained success. The final weave in this roster tapestry will unfold as the regular season inches closer, yet it seems that the managerial cogwheels have already set in motion a blueprint they hope will stand the tests of October.
