Miami Marlins vs. Houston Astros - News - March 26, 2021 | FOX Sports

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・March 26, 2021 March 26 Mar 26

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FITTEAM Ballpark of the Palm Beaches, West Palm Beach, FL

Makes Opening Day rosterAbreu was informed Saturday that he'll make the Astros' Opening Day roster as a reliever, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

ImpactAbreu was ramping up his innings during Grapefruit League games but will begin the 2021 season in the major-league bullpen rather than joining Triple-A Sugar Land's rotation. The right-hander has made three appearances (two starts) this spring and posted a 3.68 ERA and 0.95 WHIP in 7.1 innings. Abreu should serve as a middle reliever for Houston early in the year.

MARCH 27, 2021•ROTOWIRE

Abreu seals spot on Opening Day rosterWEST PALM BEACH, Fla. -- Astros pitcher Bryan Abreu said following his outing Saturday against the Mets in Port St. Lucie that he was inform...

MARCH 27, 2021•MLB.COM

Scratched due to health protocolsStraw was removed from the lineup Saturday against the Mets due to health and safety protocols, Jake Kaplan of The Athletic reports.

ImpactStraw's absence is seemingly related to COVID-19, though it's not clear that he has the virus himself, with Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reporting that he's out due to contact tracing. If he's able to clear the protocols soon, he may not miss Opening Day. If he does miss time, Chas McCormick or Jose Siri could earn a temporary starting role in center.

MARCH 27, 2021•ROTOWIRE

Scratched from lineupStraw did not start Saturday's game against the Mets despite being listed in the lineup and on the scoreboard as the starter, Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports.

ImpactStraw appears to have been a last-minute scratch, though the reason for the change has not yet been revealed. Anything more than a minor injury five days before Opening Day would likely send him to the injured list to start the year, potentially opening up starts for Chas McCormick or non-roster invitee Jose Siri, who started in his place Saturday.

MARCH 27, 2021•ROTOWIRE

Slotted third in rotationMcCullers will pitch the third game of the regular season, Chandler Rowe of the Houston Chronicle reports.

ImpactAstros manager Dusty Baker set the rotation for the first four games, and McCullers slots in for the third game, although he's viewed as the team's second-best starter. Zack Greinke will start Opening Day followed by Cristian Javier. McCullers, who is ready to go after throwing 90 pitches in a "B" game Wednesday, finished Grapefruit League play with two runs allowed on five hits and two walks while striking out 11 over seven innings.

MARCH 27, 2021•ROTOWIRE

Will start second gameJavier will start the second game of the regular season, Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports.

ImpactAstros manager Dusty Baker named the first four starters of the regular season and has Javier following Opening Day starter Zack Greinke. Javier's start will likely involve heavy bullpen management, as the right-hander's preseason buildup was impacted by a week-long absence due to issues related to COVID-19. He's thrown just three innings during Grapefruit League play, which means someone like Brandon Bielak or Bryan Abreu could be asked to pitch multiple innings that day.

MARCH 27, 2021•ROTOWIRE

Sent down by AstrosVelazquez was reassigned to minor-league camp Friday, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

ImpactVelazquez missed time in early March due to COVID-19 protocols and made three spring appearances for the Astros. He posted a 2.70 ERA and 1.50 WHIP in 3.1 innings but should begin the regular season with Triple-A Sugar Land.

MARCH 27, 2021•ROTOWIRE