Although the Houston Astros remain at the top of the AL West, they haven’t displayed the same level of dominance that marked their seven-year dynasty. A significant factor in this is the numerous injuries they’ve faced, including the season-long absences of three of their starting pitchers and superstar Kyle Tucker’s ongoing shin issue.
Despite these challenges, the Astros continue to find ways to win, positioning themselves well to secure their fourth consecutive division title with about a month left in the regular season.
As they prepare for another potential deep postseason run and a quest for their third World Series championship, the Astros have made a surprising roster change. According to Chandler Rome of The Athletic, the team has optioned last year’s breakout outfielder, Chas McCormick, to Triple-A. While the team hasn’t officially confirmed this move, McCormick has informed reporters of the decision, which is likely intended to make room for newly signed veteran Jason Heyward.
McCormick had a standout 2023 season with the Astros, hitting 22 home runs, 41 extra-base hits, and 70 RBI, with a .273/.353/.489 slash line. His OPS+ was 30 points above the league average, marking his third season over 100. However, he has struggled at the plate this year, posting a .192/.256/.292 line in 87 games, with only five home runs and 28 RBI, and an OPS+ of just 56.
With Jake Meyers performing better offensively and Yordan Alvarez spending more time in the field, McCormick became less essential, especially with Heyward joining the team. The hope is that McCormick can regain his form in the minors, as he still has two years of team control remaining.
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