Astros News & Notes: McCullers, Imai, OF, More: 3/17/2026

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WEST PALM BEACH, FLORIDA - MARCH 10: Lance McCullers Jr. #43 of the Houston Astros pitches during a spring training game against the Baltimore Orioles at CACTI Park of the Palm Beaches on March 10, 2026 in West Palm Beach, Florida. (Photo by Rich Storry/Getty Images) | Getty Images

The Astros clobbered the Pirates earlier today 10-2, beating up on SP Mitch Keller. Keller has been a solid starter for the last 4 seasons.

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Lance McCullers Jr. had another encouraging start, this time going 4 innings. He allowed 1 run on 3 hits, walking 3 and striking out 1, with a hit batter. He was clearly working on certain pitches at certain points in the game. He threw 31 of his 58 pitches for strikes.

Lance primarily worked 92-93 with fastball, but twice hit 94+, once at 94.1, and once at 94.4. He appeared at times to be focused on refining his cutter. McCullers looks to be in line to be a part of the starting rotation. While there has been some recent consternation of whether the Astros will employ a 5 or 6 man rotation, it would seem McCullers will be, at worst, the Astros 5th starter until he shows he cannot handle the job.

Joey Loperfido continued his strong spring, going 1×1 with 2 walks and 3 runs scored out of the leadoff spot. He also stole his 3rd base of spring. Loperfido played RF today. If we are to believe Astros GM Dana Brown that Spring Training performance matters, Loperfido should have played his way into being a starting outfielder, leapfrogging Zach Cole. Loperfido is batting .355 with a .958 OPS in Spring.

Cole, meanwhile, played CF and was 1×3 with a HR and 2 BB, He also struck out twice, which has been his Achilles heel all spring. Cole hit an 82 MPH sweeper on the inside black about belt high 412 ft to RF, the ball coming off the bat at 110.1 MPH. Despite the strikeouts, Cole’s exit velocities have been very high, and management believes he has had some bad luck on batted balls at very high exit velos this spring. Cole needed a game like today to keep his name in the conversation for making the Opening Day roster.

Cole’s second HR of spring came as the second of back-to-back home runs with Brice Matthews. Matthews first HR of spring was a 2-run shot to right. He drove a 2-2 sweeper that came in just under 82 mph on the outer third of the plate about belt high opposite field 345 ft at 94.4 MPH off the bat. Matthews was 1×3 with a pair of walks, 2 RBI and 2 runs scored. He started the game at 2B, where he was a part of 3 double plays, and then shifted to LF.

While Matthews wasn’t expected to make the Opening Day roster, Jeremy Pena’s injury situation could potentially open a door for him. If Pena starts the season on the IL, there are certainly scenarios where Matthews could play 2B with Jose Altuve DHing, or Matthews could play either CF or RF with Yordan Alvarez DHing.

Shay Whitcomb also continues to make his case for an Opening Day spot. After a solid WBC that saw him launch 2 HR in his first WBC game, he started today at 3B and started an around-the-horn double play. He also went 2×3 with a run scored and 2 RBI, as well as his 2nd SB of spring. Whitcomb is batting .308 with a .785 OPS this spring, not including the WBC. While Whitcomb is a longshot to make the OD roster, he has played well enough to be in the mix and get himself in consideration for a call up later on.

Taylor Trammell has cooled off significantly in recent days. He finished today 0x3 with a walk. He struck out 3 times. His batting average has fallen to .250 while his OPS remains a strong .854. Astros have to beware of fools’ gold with Trammell, who has never hit at the MLB level in his career, but is a very good defender at all 3 outfield spots with a strong arm and good speed. He was a longshot to make the OD roster, got himself in the mix with strong early play, but is likely playing himself right back down to Triple-A. He is likely a minor league depth piece provided he stays in the organization.

Christian Vazquez made his first appearance of spring for the Astros Tuesday after joining the team following the WBC. Vazquez’ signing late in spring should be all the evidence needed that he has the inside track to being the backup catcher over Cesar Salazar. Team clearly is not comfortable with Salazar’s bat at the MLB level, so much so they signed a player who hasn’t hit a lick since the Astros acquired him at the deadline in 2022. However, Vazquez is respected league-wide for his defense, preparation and leadership. He went 1×3 with 2 walks, a run scored and an RBI.

Roddery Munoz and Christian Roa continue to make their pushes to be part of the bullpen. Munoz, a Rule V pick who must be returned to the Reds if he isn’t on the MLB roster all season, has rebounded from a rough start to spring to put himself squarely in the mix for a pen spot. He went 1.1 IP today of scoreless ball, he allowed 2 hits and struck out 1. He has been mowing guys down guys at the plate since his second appearance and now has 14K in 8.1 IP.

Roa went 1.2 IP scoreless and hitless, striking out 2. His only blemish was hitting a batter. He has a 1.04 ERA this spring.

J.P France will start Wednesday and Peter Lambert Thursday.

Tatsuya Imai threw a sim game today, and is looking for better results with some secondary pitches:

The Astros found out who they will face on the mound Opening Day against the Angels, and it won’t be former Astro Yusei Kikuchi:

Jose Soriano was 10-11 with a 4.26 ERA and 1.396 WHIP last season in LA. While he did allow a league-low 0.6 HR/9 rate, he only strikes out 8.1 batters per nine, and his walk rate was 4.2/9, which is quite high. He is entering his 4th MLB season at age 27. Soriano is a righthander, but he had reverse splits, performing better vs. lefties than righties. He allowed a .268 AVG and .715 OPS to righty hitters and only a .233 AVG and .666 OPS to lefties.

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