Former Pirate Mike Burrows on his transition into the Astros clubhouse: "It’s fun so far. The relationship with winning here is a little different. It’s ‘We’re going to win.’ It’s fun to talk about it that way and to speak it into existence.” - www.nytimes.com/athletic/705...

During the second day of spring, Tatsuya Imai stepped out of his comfort zone. He found a "connection" in Ryan Weiss, one of the only people familiar with his plight. Between PFPs, Imai approached Weiss, who organized a dinner with Houston's new pitchers - www.nytimes.com/athletic/705...

New Crush City Territory episode with special guest: Astros ace Hunter Brown - His road to a breakout - A new leadership role - Wayne State days - The extension question Apple: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/c... Spotify: open.spotify.com/episode/4EEW... YouTube: www.youtube.com/watch?v=m3hc...

New Crush City Territory episode with special guest: Astros ace Hunter Brown - His road to a breakout - A new leadership role - Wayne State days - The extension question Apple: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/c... Spotify: open.spotify.com/episode/4EEW... YouTube: www.youtube.com/watch?v=m3hc...

Colton Gordon will start the Astros' Grapefruit League opener on Saturday

On Lance McCullers Jr, a pitcher content with a career that could be nearing its end - www.nytimes.com/athletic/705...

On Lance McCullers Jr, a pitcher content with a career that could be nearing its end - www.nytimes.com/athletic/705...

Isaac Paredes and Joe Espada before the Astros’ first full squad workout. During infield drills, Paredes took ground balls at second base behind Jose Altuve. Espada said they’ll move Paredes around all spring.

Jose Altuve will spend most of his spring working exclusively at second base, Joe Espada said.

Lance McCullers Jr: "I would love to be good, not because I want to necessarily continue to play, but just because I would love to be good for this organization and this fanbase in my last year here. And then if playing comes beyond that, it does.”

Everyone involved in the Astros' roster puzzle has now spoken ... including Yordan Alvarez, who offered a reminder that "I've never gotten hurt playing left field." On the eve of Houston's full-squad workout, all of the awkwardness fit for print - www.nytimes.com/athletic/704...

Hunter Brown is throwing the first live batting practice of Astros camp … with Tatsuya Imai playing shortstop behind him. Imai is getting into a ready position and creeping in before every pitch Brown throws. This infield surplus is getting out of control.

Isaac Paredes reported to Astros camp today. He called trade rumors and speculation things that are “out of my control” and said he’ll work at first base, second base and third base in camp. Paredes said he will be a 100 percent participant in activities.

The Astros have signed Cavan Biggio to a minor-league deal with an invitation to major-league camp.

After an uneven 2025, Jose Altuve wants to play at least 150 games and find the consistency that eluded him. Going back to second base will help. So will one mechanical adjustment he found this offseason - www.nytimes.com/athletic/704...

Jose Altuve, who did not get insurance to play in the WBC, said he plans to go watch Team Venezuela's games in Miami, contingent on the Astros' spring training schedule. "I bought some tickets because I thought I was playing, for my family. I might just use them," Altuve said.

Joey Loperfido: "I took a ton of pride in being a homegrown player and getting to play all through the minors with this team, get to debut and play in the major leagues with that team. I still take a lot of pride in being a homegrown Astro."

Astros manager Joe Espada jumped in to help with PFPs this morning

New Crush City Territory episode - Joey Loperfido is back - The Astros are "not done yet." - Carlos Correa and Christian Walker's comments - Bad Bunny's insurance Apple: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/c... Spotify: open.spotify.com/episode/2Oyu... YouTube: www.youtube.com/watch?v=IAPo...

Carlos Correa confirmed today that Bad Bunny offered to pay his insurance to play in the WBC. MLB, the Astros and Scott Boras all told him "it's a bad idea." More here from Correa - www.nytimes.com/athletic/704...

Asked about the Astros' infield situation, Correa said "we have a lot of people that could potentially be used in trades later on. I'm not a GM, but I know that only four infielders can play at a time. You have to make some moves, put some people in the outfield, have depth."

Carlos Correa: "With the owner that we have, we're not going to make our team worse. Everybody knows that when the Astros make a move, it's to make players better and make the team better."

Jeremy Peña said he's beginning to learn more about soccer by attending his fiancé, Julia Grosso's, games. He does wear her jersey when he goes to the games. "I'll be wearing her jersey more when she gets 'Peña' on the back. I told her she has to get No. 3. We can both be JP3."

The Astros made their roster more functional, raised the floor of their outfield and freed $6.8 million by swapping Jesús Sánchez for Joey Loperfido. And they're "not done," still engaged in trade discussions for Isaac Paredes, sources said. Updated - www.nytimes.com/athletic/704...

The Astros are re-acquiring Joey Loperfido from the Toronto Blue Jays for Jesús Sánchez, GM Dana Brown announced. It’s a money saving move — Sánchez is owed $6.8 million while Loperfido is making the league minimum.

Christian Walker spent the winter adoring his baby daughter. He addressed posture problems in his stance, dropped 10-12 pounds for more agility and will experiment with a toe tap in spring. He wants to be the Astros’ everyday first baseman. Will it happen? - www.nytimes.com/athletic/704...

“My goal is to play every day and be the everyday first baseman,” said Christian Walker, who spoke for around 13 minutes after his arrival in Astros camp. Walker acknowledged the infield surplus and said he is “aware of the business side of things.” “I want to be here,” he said

New Crush City Territory episode - First day vibes - Josh Hader's bicep - Tatsuya Imai's arrival - Phoebe Bridgers, The Weeknd, python hunting and Aaron Carter Apple: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/c... Spotify: open.spotify.com/episode/7Dl0... YouTube: youtube.com/watch?v=1W2x...

Why Joe Espada didn’t delay the inevitable with Hunter Brown’s Opening Day start, Tatsuya Imai’s arrival (and WBC wrinkle) and the latest on trade talks. From day one at Astros camp - www.nytimes.com/athletic/703...

Tatsuya Imai on seeing Kevin Durant drain a dagger three from courtside seats: "It was really cool being able to see a player like KD who has been in the NBA so long to be able to execute in that pressure moment. That's inspiring and something I should definitely follow up."

Updated story with comments from Josh Hader, who called his bicep inflammation “nothing too concerning for me,” but added he will take a “week by week” approach to his potential availability for Opening Day - www.nytimes.com/athletic/703...

Detroit native and Wayne State's Hunter Brown said he texted Justin Verlander congratulations yesterday after learning he was headed back to the Tigers "I'm happy for him. I'm sure the whole city of Detroit and, honestly, baseball is excited to see him back in the old English D"

Josh Hader said he’s a “few weeks behind,” but did not want to speculate about Opening Day. Hader said he thinks the biceps issue is independent of the shoulder capsule sprain that sidelined him last year. Hader said he felt his bicep grab while throwing a changeup in catch play

One minute of Tatsuya Imai’s first Astros bullpen.

Tatsuya Imai is part of Team Japan's designated pitcher pool for the World Baseball Classic. If Team Japan needs his services, it would not be until after pool play. GM Dana Brown said Imai will be built up as normal in Astros' camp, but if he goes to the WBC, he'd be a reliever

Reliever Enyel De Los Santos has been shut down with a right knee strain, Joe Espada said.

Yainer Diaz sprained his left foot while playing winter ball in December, Joe Espada said. Diaz is still participating in baseball activities, but his running progression will be behind some others. Diaz is still hitting and will catch Tatsuya Imai's bullpen today.

Hunter Brown is the Astros’ Opening Day starter, Joe Espada said.

Astros closer Josh Hader experienced “arm soreness” before his fourth bullpen session of the winter, manager Joe Espada said. Hader had imaging that revealed “bicep inflammation.” Hader is scheduled to resume his throwing program today, but his status for Opening Day is in flux

Three burning Astros questions as spring training opens - www.nytimes.com/athletic/703...

Three burning Astros questions as spring training opens - www.nytimes.com/athletic/703...

The Astros, Cardinals and Red Sox discussed a three-team trade that would've sent Brendan Donovan to Houston and Isaac Paredes to Boston, sources tell @ken-rosenthal.bsky.social and me. Didn't get done, but underscores the attempts to solve Houston's infield surplus - www.nytimes.com/athletic/703...

New Crush City Territory episode - Trade winds are blowing - Cam Smith in CF? - "Chase The Fight" Apple: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/c... Spotify: open.spotify.com/episode/69sl... YouTube: www.youtube.com/watch?v=dxa4...

New Crush City Territory episode Pitching coach Josh Miller joins to break down the Astros' new-look staff before heading to West Palm Beach next week Apple: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/c... Spotify: open.spotify.com/episode/25Fa... YouTube: www.youtube.com/watch?v=ShBb...

It begins! 30 team previews in 15 podcasts, for the 14th consecutive year. First up: @chandlerrome.bsky.social on the Astros, and Nick Piecoro on the Diamondbacks. (Plus pre-preview banter.)

New Crush City Territory episode Pitching coach Josh Miller joins to break down the Astros' new-look staff before heading to West Palm Beach next week Apple: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/c... Spotify: open.spotify.com/episode/25Fa... YouTube: www.youtube.com/watch?v=ShBb...

Read more from @chandlerrome.bsky.social:

Framber Valdez signed for $10,000 in 2015 and, at one point in 2019, was on the 40-man chopping block. From 2020-25, he was worth 18.6 bWAR, had a 128 ERA+ in 973 innings and won a World Series-clinching game. He defines player development success story - www.nytimes.com/athletic/666...