{"id":113654,"date":"2026-02-06T14:47:37","date_gmt":"2026-02-06T19:47:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/?p=113654"},"modified":"2026-02-06T14:47:37","modified_gmt":"2026-02-06T19:47:37","slug":"astros-infield-spring-training","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/2026\/02\/06\/astros-infield-spring-training\/","title":{"rendered":"Latest on the Astros Infield Situation"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>February is already upon us, and that means baseball season is around the corner. Spring training will start in a couple of weeks, and it will be a very interesting one for the Houston Astros, who are beginning preparations for what is expected to be a bounce-back 2026 season.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2>Latest on the Astros Infield Situation<\/h2>\n<p>At the Astros Fanfest in January, there were more answers to some key questions for fans entering the 2026 season. It\u2019s going to be particularly fascinating, more so than in years past, to see how the Astros starting lineup will look on opening day.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p>The Astros also held their first event of the season on Tuesday, unveiling the season slogan \u201cChase The Fight,\u201d showcasing new ballpark food, and holding two media availabilities with general manager <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/2025\/10\/09\/astros-keep-on-manager-joe-espada-gm-dana-brown\/\" target=\"_self\">Dana Brown and manager Joe Espada.<\/a><span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p>Here are the latest updates on the Astros&#8217; infield and other facets of the team from those events.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3>The Second Base and Left Field Situation<\/h3>\n<p>This is currently the biggest question for the Astros. While Houston made significant moves during the offseason to upgrade pitching, it is still unclear how left fielder and<a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/2025\/12\/27\/the-latest-offseason-update-on-astros-star-infielder\/\" target=\"_self\"> infielder Isaac Paredes<\/a> will be managed. It is currently the biggest talking point about the Astros.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p>Clearly, there are multiple pathways Houston is willing to take to figure out the solution. Both Paredes and Christian Walker are expected to be part of the plan right now, according to Brown. That could change within the coming weeks.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\"><\/blockquote>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Do you think it&#8217;s likely that both Isaac Paredes and Christian Walker are on your roster when you get to camp?<\/p>\n<p>Dana Brown: &#8220;Right now, both of them are still part of our roster, and we have plans for both of them to play. Right now, our plan is for both of them to be there.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>\u2014 Chandler Rome (@Chandler_Rome) <a  href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/Chandler_Rome\/status\/2018774819815182600?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">February 3, 2026<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>The Astros are still looking for another left-handed bat. Brown has repeated this desire for multiple seasons and got left-handed hitting Jes\u00fas S\u00e1nchez at the trade deadline last season. However, they would consider a trade for another lefty bat if the right opportunity came up, and that is where a move on Paredes could happen.<\/p>\n<p>Given the Astros&#8217; infield logjam, it is quite possible that one could still get traded. Astros beat writer for The Athletic, Chandler Rome, did not even have Paredes <a  href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/athletic\/7005457\/2026\/01\/29\/astros-roster-projection-2026-infield-surplus\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">in his starting nine.<\/a> It listed Jose Altuve at second and<a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/2025\/09\/16\/astros-late-season-boost-astros\/\" target=\"_self\"> Zach Cole<\/a> in left field. Paredes is an All-Star, and leaving him on the bench seems a waste.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3>More Details on Astros Infield Placements<\/h3>\n<p>One thing is clear. Espada seemed certain about Alvarez playing as a designated hitter most of the time.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p>\u201cI would like to give him most of his at-bats as a DH, and I will do everything in my power to keep him in the DH spot,\u201d Espada said.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Astros manager Joe Espada addressed the media today at Daikin Park <a  href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/7E2EUK0u6G\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">pic.twitter.com\/7E2EUK0u6G<\/a><\/p>\n<p>\u2014 Brian McTaggart (@brianmctaggart) <a  href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/brianmctaggart\/status\/2018790987091583239?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">February 3, 2026<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Paredes\u2019 role remains fluid if the Astros keep him. At FanFest, it was stated that Paredes will get playing time at second base.<\/p>\n<p>The only way Paredes could be in the opening-day lineup is if Altuve or Alvarez is in left field or at DH. While having more depth can be a plus point, it\u2019s likely the Astros lineup could rotate every day to fit everyone in.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p>Brown gave examples of how Paredes will be used. Besides being the DH, even first base is now a possibility. Coming in for players who are on off days looks to be his role as well. That can be helpful, since the Astros begin the season with 26 games in 28 days.<\/p>\n<p>Paredes could fill in at third base in place of Carlos Correa or have Correa move to shortstop on Pena\u2019s off day. At the moment, the plan for Paredes is to fill up wherever the hole is. The Astros have veterans who would need more breaks throughout 162 games, like Altuve, Correa, or Walker.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3>More Depth for the Astros<\/h3>\n<p>Altuve will have moments in left field, but will primarily be back at second base.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p>\u201cI feel like there\u2019s enough playing time with the DH slot and the ability to move some guys around,\u201d <a  href=\"https:\/\/www.mlb.com\/astros\/news\/astros-gm-dana-brown-on-spring-training-2026\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Brown said<\/a>. When\u00a0Alvarez gets his opportunities on the left, that opens the door for Paredes at either second or DH.<\/p>\n<p>It seems like Cole will get some real opportunities in left field as well. The Astros realized the injury issues last season and understand that having an abundance of depth is a precaution to stabilize.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p>\u201cI think right now we have a really good infield. We do have the depth\u2026we feel like if something goes wrong in the injury department, we have the depth,\u201d said Brown.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Astros GM Dana Brown talks about the team\u2019s ongoing pursuit of a left-handed bat, the pitching depth, and other topics ahead of West Palm Beach <a  href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/8K8PXf6xUr\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">pic.twitter.com\/8K8PXf6xUr<\/a><\/p>\n<p>\u2014 Brian McTaggart (@brianmctaggart) <a  href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/brianmctaggart\/status\/2018769064739615019?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">February 3, 2026<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Espada did not give any clear answers about his plan and wants the spring training results to provide them.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p>Correa said he\u2019s taken more ground balls this offseason than his last five combined. That was predictable given his new position in the infield at third base. He was already at Gold Glove level at third in the small transition time he had at the trade deadline. It\u2019s possible Correa could be Gold Glove caliber at third this season. The left side of the infield with Pena is special.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3>Additional Astros Updates<\/h3>\n<p>Espada mentioned that he\u2019ll be giving Cam Smith some playing time in center field this season, besides his usual position of right. Given the Astros have Sanchez, who can also play corner outfield, Smith could be another option in center when Meyers is off.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p>It was also stated at FanFest that <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/2025\/12\/31\/astros-brice-matthews-in-2026\/\" target=\"_self\">Brice Matthews<\/a> will also play second base and center field this season. The depth is looking more than great across the board defensively. The question is whether the Astros get enough offense from their outfield.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Some notes from FanFest:<br \/>\n&#8212; Paredes will get reps at 2B this year.<br \/>\n&#8212; Matthews will play 2B &amp; CF<br \/>\n&#8212; Correa said he&#8217;s taken more ground balls this offseason than in the last five seasons combined.<br \/>\n&#8212; Correa wants to play in the WBC but is awaiting approval from the club.<\/p>\n<p>\u2014 Brian McTaggart (@brianmctaggart) <a  href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/brianmctaggart\/status\/2015115516445163958?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">January 24, 2026<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Brown gave some clarity on right-hander<a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/2025\/12\/16\/where-astros-pitching-staff-stands-signing-ryan-weiss-nate-pearson\/\" target=\"_self\"> Nate Pearson. <\/a>The Astros will try to develop Pearson as a starter or swingman out of the bullpen. Houston already seems to have six starters, and Pearson could likely become a piece out of the pen that needs help.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p>There is also nothing on a Hunter Brown extension at the moment. Given how situations with extensions have gone in the past with the Astros, fans would like this to be resolved sooner rather than later. Brown does remain under team control until 2028.<\/p>\n<p>Main Photo Credits: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>February is already upon us, and that means baseball season is around the corner. Spring training will start in a couple of weeks, and it will be a very interesting one for the Houston Astros, who are beginning preparations for what is expected to be a bounce-back 2026 season.\u00a0 Latest on the Astros Infield Situation [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5612,"featured_media":113658,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_lmt_disableupdate":"no","_lmt_disable":"","sfio_featured_image":false,"sfio_embed_code":"","_ef_editorial_meta_date_first-draft-date":"","_ef_editorial_meta_paragraph_assignment":"","_ef_editorial_meta_checkbox_needs-photo":"1","_ef_editorial_meta_number_word-count":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[14,1071],"tags":[2517,29233,251,29145],"class_list":["post-113654","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-astros","category-mlb","tag-christian-walker","tag-issac-parades","tag-jose-altuve","tag-zach-cole"],"modified_by":"Evan Mazza, Site Editor","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/113654","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/5612"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=113654"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/113654\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":113660,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/113654\/revisions\/113660"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/113658"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=113654"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=113654"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=113654"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}