Through much of last season, fans and media members alike called for the Houston Astros to give the starting catcher job to Yainer Diaz. It appears to have been for a good reason.
No one around the Houston Astros would ever question the leadership of former catcher Martín Maldonado. Even as his skills at the plate declined, his prowess behind the plate in defense, game calling and pitch framing kept him in former manager Dusty Baker’s lineup most days, even as fans questioned why he wasn’t playing Yainer Diaz more often.
Things will be much different behind the plate for the Houston Astros this season as Yainer Diaz is taking over for long-time catcher Martin Maldonado.
Perhaps one of the least talked about storylines throughout the offseason and entering Spring Training is who will be catching pitches from the Houston Astros' top-end staff.
Here are three rising stars who will look to make an impact for the Astros in 2024.
The Houston Astros haven’t done much this offseason in terms of free agency. But, in one area, MLB.com believes the Astros have improved more than any other team in baseball.
The Houston Astros believe they have a budding star in catcher Yainer Diaz, so much so that they’ve already named him their starting catcher for 2024. Turns out MLB Network agrees.
As the Houston Astros enter the 2024 season, there aren't many questions for them to answer. Sure, the Astros could always get better, but the same core will likely return barring any trades before the season.
The 2024 season will mark the end of a couple eras for the Houston Astros. Manager Dusty Baker officially retired and will be viewed as having one of the most successful tenures in franchise history after taking over in 2020 and winning the World Series, two American League pennants and three AL West divisional titles.
Once the 2023 season ended, the Houston Astros front office wasted no time in coming out and saying their young catcher, Yainer Diaz, would be the starter next year.
The Houston Astros have signed veteran catcher Victor Caratini. Chandler Rome of The Athletic was the first to break the news. Rome first noted the Astros' interest in Caratini early Tuesday.
Houston Astros general manager Dana Brown knows what his team’s needs are and he admits that things are starting to “heat up” as the Winter Meetings continue in Nashville on Tuesday.
The Houston Astros made their commitment to catcher Yainer Diaz for the 2024 season and the time is growing near for him to start getting ready for 2024.
The Houston Astros will have a different look at the catcher's position next season. Long-time and fan-favorite catcher Martin Maldonado is no longer with the team.
The only position that the Houston Astros will have a new starter in during 2024 will be at catcher. They are ready to turn the keys over to Yainer Diaz after a sensational rookie season.
The Houston Astros have committed to Yainer Diaz as their frontline starter for 2024. His bat earned the job. The rest of it will come along. Former manager Dusty Baker talked all season about the value of catcher Martín Maldonado, who is now a free agent.
Houston Astros general manager Dana Brown made it very clear who would be the team's starting catcher for the 2024 MLB season. Spoiler alert: it's not Martin Maldonado.
Astros general manager Dana Brown spoke with KPRC 2 on Thursday about the club’s priorities and revealed who will be the primary catcher for 2024.
Excellence at the plate has become a trend for Díaz lately, and he is making his case for why he should be Houston's starting catcher.
Yainer Diaz homered twice and drove in three runs, and the Houston Astros won their fourth consecutive game while completing a two-game series sweep of the visiting Colorado Rockies, 6-4 on Wednesday.
With a record of 41-34, the Houston Astros find themselves in second place in the American League West division, trailing the Texas Rangers by five and a half games. Here are a few Astros that have made the biggest leaps and some who have stumbled out the gate in 2023.
The Houston Astros will open a three-game series and six-game homestand against the Chicago Cubs on Monday.
The Astros had looked into the possibility of bringing in an external backstop, but now they may just let one of their young catchers back up Maldonado.
Los Angeles Angels right-hander Shohei Ohtani will be out to build on his growing legacy Saturday in the second game of a three-game series against the visiting Houston Astros in Anaheim, Calif.
Brown’s promotion is expected to come when active rosters expand from 26 to 28 players on Thursday, while the specific timing of Diaz’s call isn’t clear.
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