The one who plays outside Dustin Harris expected to have the Astros”soon,” Manager Joe Espada told reporters, including MLB.com’s Brian McTaggart. Harris was waived by the White Sox on Saturday. The 26-year-old appeared in six games with Chicago.
Harris had a great start in the part-time role. He hit a whopping .438 clip and had two steals to open the season. The 26-year-old suspect was called on time Austin Hays went to IL in early April. Harris was removed from the roster after the White Sox called in an internal auditor Sam Antonacci.
The left-handed swinging Harris was drafted by the Athletics but spent most of his professional career with the Rangers. The winger started with the club in 2023. He made 50 plate appearances between the 2023 and 2024 seasons. Harris hasn’t had an extended opportunity to flash the power/speed combination he showed in the minors. He completed a 20/25 season between Single-A and High-A in 2021. Harris has swiped 30+ bags from kids in the past three years.
Harris appears to be taking his place Joey Loperfido. The outfielder is expected to land in the IL, according to Espada, as reported by Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle. Loperfido was pulled with a concussion four times in the sixth in Friday’s loss to the Cardinals.
Houston acquired Loperfido directly from the Blue Jays Jesus Sanchez mid-February. He has broken camp with the team and has appeared in all but two games so far. Loperfido has spent time in all three outfield positions, with most of his work coming in left field. He is slashing .259/.333/.345 in 66 plate appearances.
Shortstop Nick Allen he was also removed from that game against St. Isaac Paredes in his place due to back pain (h/t McTaggart). Paredes was then removed from the tournament due to a leg injury. Shay Whitcomb took him to his place in the infield. Whitcomb started at third on Saturday, while Paredes returned to the DH lineup. Allen was absent in the ninth.
Allen joined the organization following a trade with the Braves in November. The veteran gloveman has started five games at shortstop Jeremy Pena He went down with a knee injury last weekend. Allen’s absence will lead to more downtime Carlos CorreaParedes came in third. The Astros already go with that configuration on a regular basis. Paredes also picked up starts at first and second base.
On the throwing side, the left hand Bennett Sousa it’s about to come back. The final hurdle for the reliever is playing on back-to-back dates, which he is likely to do next week, according to Kawahara. Sousa went down with an oblique strain late in MLB Spring Training.
After brief stints with the club in 2023 and 2024, Sousa emerged as a key member of the bullpen last season. He posted a 2.84 ERA in over 50 appearances. The lefty had seven saves and four saves. Houston entered the 2026 campaign Bryan King again Steven Okert like lefties in the bullpen. If they are healthy, Sousa will give them another option from the left, as there will be a return at the end Josh Hader.
Photo courtesy of Troy Taormina, Imagn Images
