Chas

McCormick

“Melton’s another guy that could be a big piece for us,” Brown said during last month’s annual GM meetings. “He’s a really good defensive outfielder with power. He has a chance to make an impact.” The 24-year-old outfielder will presumably compete next spring with established veterans Chas McCormick and Jake Meyers to carve out a permanent role in Houston’s outfield mix, but he’s on the verge of reaching the big leagues after batting .253/.310/.426 with 15 homers and 30 steals in 443 plate appearances last year between Double-A Corpus Christi and Triple-A Sugar Land. Melton checked in at OF70 in Rotoworld’s 2025 Top 500 dynasty rankings and his power/speed combination makes him an easy top 100 fantasy prospect heading into next year. He’s a name to keep on watch lists, even in re-draft formats entering spring training.

McCormick will get the start in center against left-hander Tyler Holton — and then the Detroit bullpen — in a must-win game for the Astros, so Jake Meyers retreats to the bench. Jason Heyward is also in the lineup, replacing Mauricio Dubon. The full lineup for the Astros: Jose Altuve 2B, Kyle Tucker RF, Yordan Alvarez DH, Alex Bregman 3B, Yanier Diaz C, Victor Caratini 1B, Jeremy Peña SS, Jayson Heyward LF, and McCormick in center.

McCormick is part of the Houston roster after missing the final three weeks of the season with his fractured left wrist. He’ll be an option against right-handed pitching and off the bench for the three-game set.

McCormick fractured his left wrist on September 11th but has been working hard to get back on the field. The 29-year-old had a down year and has not been a full-time starter for the Astros, but he was 9-for-23 in seven games in September before fracturing his wrist, so maybe he can keep up that hot streak when the playoffs begin.

McCormick is a possibility to return during the postseason, but probably not for the Astros’ initial series. Jason Heyward and Mauricio Dubón are seeing extra at-bats in his place.

With Chas McCormick (wrist) being placed on the IL, the Astros will bring up Kessinger to fill a bench infield spot. The 27-year-old was up with the Astros for 11 weeks earlier this year but started only two games and went 0-for-15 in total. He doesn’t figure to play much this time around either.

McCormick suffered the injury last night, so his placement on the injury list is just a formality at this point. Given the nature of the fracture, it’s likely that McCormick will be out for the remainder of the regular season. Grae Kessinger was called up in a corresponding move.

This according to Astros manager Joe Espada. McCormick hurt the wrist after jamming it against the wall while attempting to field a fly ball against the Athletics on Tuesday. He’ll miss at least a week, but a fracture suggests he’ll likely be out for the rest of the regular season. A corresponding move will be announced before Thursday’s game.

McCormick was pinch hit for to start the fifth inning. He jammed his wrist as he ran into the wall on a fly ball earlier in the game. He couldn’t grip a bat after his injury. McCormick will have imaging on his wrist done on Wednesday to determine the severity of the injury, but it doesn’t look good.

Jake Meyers has been activated from the Paternity list but he won’t be with the team until Friday, so McCormick will get his third straight start in center field since being recalled from Triple-A.