MARTÍN MALDONADO NEWS

Reaches extension with Houston Maldonado and the Astros agreed Wednesday on a one-year, $5 million contract extension, Jon Heyman of MLB Network reports. According to Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle, the...

Impact Though he only recently began the second season of the two-year, $7 million deal he signed in the 2019-20 offseason, Maldonado has made a strong enough of an impression as a game caller and defender behind the plate during his time in Houston for the club to give him some extra security. The 34-year-old has been less dependable on the offensive end -- he's gone 3-for-34 with 17 strikeouts to begin 2021 -- but the Astros are able to live with his shortcomings in that area if he can continue to coax good results out of the team's pitching staff.

APRIL 21, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Walks twice in return Maldonado went 0-for-1 with two walks in Tuesday's 6-2 loss to Colorado.

Impact Maldonado returned to the lineup after missing the last four games while on the COVID-19 protocols list. He and three other Astros cleared health and safety protocols just before game time and were available to play.

APRIL 21, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Cron's 5 RBIs key Rockies' 6-2 win over Astros

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APRIL 21, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Starting Tuesday in Coors Maldonado (COVID-19 injured list) is starting Tuesday in Colorado, Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Impact As expected, Maldonado is back in the starting nine for the first of a two-game series in Coors Field.

APRIL 20, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

On track to return Tuesday Maldonado is tentatively expected to be activated from the COVID-19 injured list ahead of Tuesday's series opener in Colorado, Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Impact Of the five Astros on the COVID-19 IL, only Jose Altuve appears unlikely to rejoin the team in Colorado while he waits to clear all MLB health and safety protocols. Once they arrive in Denver, the quartet of Maldonado, Alex Bregman, Yordan Alvarez and Robel Garcia will still have a few more hurdles to clear related to COVID-19 intake testing, but all four should be eligible to play Tuesday if they continue to test negative for the virus. Once reinstated, Maldonado should take back primary catching duties from Jason Castro.

APRIL 19, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Haniger, France lead Mariners past Astros 7-2

Ty France hit a two-run home run, six Seattle pitchers combined on a one-hitter and the Mariners beat the depleted Houston Astros 7-2

APRIL 18, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Begins individual workouts Astros manager Dusty Baker said Sunday that Maldonado (COVID-19 injured list) has been cleared to resume individual workouts, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

Impact Maldonado and the other four Astros placed on the COVID-19 IL on Wednesday all appear to have finished their respective quarantine periods, but Baker didn't specify when any of the players might be ready to rejoin the team. Since Baker previously mentioned that the five players in question are unlikely to be available for the team's ongoing road trip, Maldonado's earliest possible return date would most likely be Thursday, when the Astros host the Angels.

APRIL 18, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Likely sidelined through road trip Maldonado (COVID-19 protocols) is unlikely to return during the Astros' current five-game road trip, Jake Kaplan of The Athletic reports.

Impact Maldonado was one of five Astros who landed on the COVID-19 injured list Wednesday. The team hasn't announced whether Maldonado has tested positive for the virus, but manager Dusty Baker said Friday that none of the five players are likely to return before the Astros return home Thursday. Jason Castro and Garrett Stubbs should continue to fill in behind the plate in Maldonado's absence.

APRIL 17, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Placed on COVID IL Maldonado was placed on the injured list Wednesday, Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Impact Maldonado was one of five Astros who were placed on the injured list without an injury designation, so it appears as though the players are out due to COVID-19-related protocols. It's not yet clear whether Maldonado has tested positive for the virus. If the 34-year-old isn't dealing with a positive test result, he'll be eligible to return as soon as he clears the league's health and safety protocols. Jason Castro should serve as the team's primary catcher in Maldonado's absence, while the Astros also recalled Garrett Stubbs in a corresponding move.

APRIL 14, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Gets extension from Astros Maldonado agreed to a one-year contract extension with Houston on Tuesday that includes a vesting option for 2023, Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Impact Maldonado is a defensive stalwart and brings excellent makeup to the clubhouse, which is good, because he doesn't bring much to the table as a hitter. The 34-year-old backstop has a career .217/.291/.352 slash line and 2020 is the lone year in his career that he hit better than league average (110 wRC+).

APRIL 13, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Riding pine Tuesday Maldonado is not in Tuesday's lineup against the Tigers, Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Impact He ranks sixth in the majors among catchers with 33 plate appearances, but his .094 batting average thanks to a 45.5 percent strikeout rate have made him a huge negative in fantasy thus far. Jason Castro will start behind the dish and hit ninth.

APRIL 13, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Takes seat in series opener Maldonado is out of the lineup for Thursday's game against the Athletics, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

Impact Houston will build in an extended rest for its top catcher, as Maldonado will head to the bench following Wednesday's off day. Maldonado should check back in behind the plate for Friday's contest, but Jason Castro will catch Cristian Javier in the series opener.

APRIL 8, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Trout homers, Angels rally in 8th to hand Astros 1st loss

Mike Trout hit his first home run of the season and Shohei Ohtani came off the bench to score the go-ahead run during an eighth-inning rally that sent the Los Angeles Angels past t...

APRIL 6, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Sits out Sunday Maldonado is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Athletics, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

Impact Jason Castro will pick up his first start of the season while Maldonado heads to the bench after catching each of the last three days. Though the Astros put up 26 runs in the first three games of the series, Maldonado didn't get in the act, going just 1-for-13 with six strikeouts over that stretch.

APRIL 4, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Doubles, scores run Maldonado went 1-for-2 with a double and a run scored in Tuesday's spring game against the Nationals.

Impact Maldonado is 3-for-9 with an RBI and two runs scored in five Grapefruit League games. He experienced an uptick in offense in 2020 -- his .728 OPS was his best since 2012 -- but he's on the team for his defense and handling pitchers.

MARCH 10, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Springer, Altuve homer to keep Astros alive in ALCS

George Springer broke a tie with a two-run homer, José Altuve also went deep and hit an RBI double, and Zack Greinke escaped a bases-loaded jam for the Houston Astros, who beat the...

OCTOBER 15, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Sore but could still play Maldonado is "banged up" according to manager Dusty Baker but could still appear off the bench Tuesday, Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Impact Maldonado will sit in favor of Dustin Garneau on Tuesday for the first time this postseason, though his absence was apparently a coach's decision and not related to his minor injuries. Expect him back as soon as Game 4 on Wednesday if not before.

OCTOBER 13, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Resting Tuesday Maldonado is not starting Game 3 of the ALCS against the Rays on Tuesday, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

Impact Maldonado has started every playoff game thus far for the Astros this season, hitting just .154/.214/.308. Dustin Garneau will catch Jose Urquidy in his absence.

OCTOBER 13, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Houston Astros: Martin Maldonado has Dusty Baker’s trust Whether the Houston Astros come back to beat the Tampa Bay Rays or not remains to be seen. One aspect is certain, Martin Maldonado will be b...

OCTOBER 13, 2020 • CALLTOTHEPEN.COM

Astros catcher Martin Maldonado drops the mic on A’s via Twitter The Houston Astros catcher poked fun at the Oakland Athletics after eliminating them from the postseason. Upon eliminating the Minnesota Twi...

OCTOBER 9, 2020 • FANSIDED.COM

Remains on bench Sunday Maldonado is not in the lineup Sunday against the Rangers, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

Impact Maldonado is on the bench for the second straight game as the Astros give him some extra rest heading into the playoffs. Dustin Garneau starts behind the plate Sunday, batting ninth.

SEPTEMBER 27, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

LeMahieu, Voit near milestones for Yankees in win over Miami

SEPTEMBER 27, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Gets breather Saturday Maldonado isn't starting Saturday against the Rangers.

Impact Maldonado drew two walks in four plate appearances Friday, but he'll take a seat for the second time in the last three games. Dustin Garneau will take over as the catcher Saturday.

SEPTEMBER 26, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

On bench Thursday Maldonado isn't in Thursday's lineup against the Rangers.

Impact Maldonado has been in a slump recently as he's gone 1-for-20 with four walks and eight strikeouts over the last seven games. Dustin Garneau will take over behind the dish Thursday.

SEPTEMBER 24, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Hammers sixth homer Maldonado went 1-for-3 with a three-run home run and a walk in Tuesday's 6-1 win over the Mariners.

Impact Maldonado finished the Astros' five-run rally in the sixth inning with his blast off Mariners reliever Brandon Brennan. It was the sixth homer of the year for Maldonado, who has added 24 RBI, 19 runs scored and a stolen base in 158 plate appearances.

SEPTEMBER 23, 2020 • ROTOWIRE