“Certainly, Venezuela’s WBC roster is better with José Altuve on it. But if Brian McTaggart’s report about his absence is confirmed, there are several alternatives. The most straightforward one: Gleyber Torres at second base,” Arreaza wrote on X.

Of course, those would not be the only options for Venezuela, which remains one of the top favorites to contend at the World Baseball Classic. Arreaza also went as far as naming a World Series champion with the Dodgers, along with Luis Arráez, as players who could help soften the impact of Altuve’s absence.

Players who could help Venezuela at the WBC

Even without Altuve, Venezuela still has experienced options, in some cases with as much or even more experience than the Astros star himself. One of them is Miguel Rojas, who recently won a World Series and could provide exactly what the team needs with his leadership and veteran presence.

“There’s also Maikel García and his versatility. Another option would be Andrés Giménez at second base with Ezequiel Tovar at shortstop. Names like Miguel Rojas, Luis Arráez, and even players from the LVBP come into play. Even with this loss and others that could happen, Venezuelan baseball fortunately has depth. Altuve is a key pillar — his absence would be a significant blow — but there are ways to replace him,” Arreaza wrote when discussing the available options.

Whether Altuve plays or not does not leave Venezuela weakened. Instead, it could open the door for younger players to seize the opportunity at the 2026 World Baseball Classic and showcase themselves, potentially accelerating their path to the major leagues, especially if the team turns to a non-MLB player.

“If I get the opportunity, I’d like to go. I’ve already signed all the paperwork saying I’m willing to play, just like I did in the last two WBCs. It’s always an honor to represent my country. I played in the last one and the one before that, and I’m trying to do it again, but I don’t know what’s going on behind the scenes. It feels like this year lines up for me, so I’m hoping everything gets cleared up and I can go,” Altuve told Javier González (@astros_coverage) in Spanish.

Astros batting coach Omar López was a bit more direct when discussing what ultimately remains before a final decision is made. “Well, I pray for him and for everyone. I mean, that’s not in our hands. We can’t create panic over it. It’s simply not under our control — it’s up to the insurance companies to review the medical records and make a decision,” López said.

Carlos Correa’s WBC situation

Carlos Correa is another player widely expected to suit up in the World Baseball Classic, this time for Team Puerto Rico, and he finds himself in a situation similar to Altuve’s.

González responded to a fan on X who asked whether Correa had said anything about playing in the WBC. “He said he has everything ready to attend. He’s just waiting for team approval (which shouldn’t be an issue),” González wrote (translated from Spanish).

Correa also made an interesting comment to the media during Fan Fest, revealing that he has been preparing during the MLB off-season to play third base, knowing that he will have fewer opportunities to play shortstop following the arrival of Nick Allen.

Ken Rosenthal reported the news on X: “Source confirms: Free-agent catcher Victor Caratini in agreement with Twins on two-year contract.” Robert Murray also confirmed the signing, marking another move in what has been an active week for the Twins.

Between Monday, Jan. 12 and Friday, Jan. 16, the Twins signed 20 players to minor league deals, though Caratini was not the only catcher added this week. Minnesota also signed Jeferson Abreu to a minor league contract, and while he is not guaranteed a spot, he could compete for a roster role if he performs well.

What Caratini brings to the Twins

Caratini is a veteran who not only spent time with the Astros alongside Altuve and other star players, but has also played for the Brewers, Padres, and Cubs. He has appeared in five postseason games, a limited sample, but over the course of the regular season he has been a reliable contributor, logging 720 career games and 2,233 plate appearances.

The 2025 season was not only Caratini’s final year in Houston, but also the most productive of his career. He set career highs with 89 hits, 35 runs scored, 386 plate appearances, and 46 RBIs, while posting a .259 batting average, his third-best mark, and establishing a personal best with 12 home runs.

The Twins are adding a player coming off a strong season in Houston, with ample experience and familiarity with AL competition. At 32, Caratini profiles as an ideal backup catcher who can step in as a starter if injuries or other issues arise.

The report was circulated by Hector Gómez, whose post on X, translated from Spanish, read: “The Mets are the favorites to sign Framber Valdez. It is expected that they will sign him for 6 years and US$200 million.” The MLB insider’s report immediately drew over 50 replies.

Valdez had an $18 million contract with the Astros last year. Houston has been his sole MLB team throughout his career, where he has earned a total of $41 million, with the last three years being the most lucrative.

Valdez is 32 but remains in peak form

It is true that Valdez is 32 years old, and it is uncommon to hear of a player his age being offered such a large contract for that amount of money. However, last season was strong for him, featuring a 3.66 ERA, 192 innings pitched, a 13-11 record, and two complete games across 31 starts, the fourth time in four years he has logged over thirty starts.

His performance pace has not dropped off in recent seasons while defending the Astros alongside Altuve. He has been a very reliable pitcher who also has ample postseason experience, totaling 17 games with a 7-6 record and a 4.34 ERA, having won a World Series ring with Houston in 2022.

Do the Mets need more pitchers?

Given the struggles the Mets endured during the final four weeks of the 2025 regular season, where they had significant difficulty winning games, the team needs help not just with more starters but also in the bullpen overall. Furthermore, since it is still unknown if Edwin Díaz will return to the team, they must find a way to replace him or at least have an option on the table just in case.

The report came from Mark Feinsand, whose analysis suggests Tucker has a strong chance in Toronto: “The one team I heard more than anybody else connected to Tucker was the Blue Jays… I think Tucker is certainly going to be in the mix there in Toronto.”

There is no official announcement from the Blue Jays, nor has Tucker commented on the matter. However, Toronto faces stiff competition from the Yankees for the star outfielder. “Some plugged-in people say the Yankees seem far more likely than the Blue Jays to blow him out of the water,” mentioned Ben Nicholson-Smith of Sportsnet in a separate report.

Three teams vying for Tucker

The Blue Jays are not alone in their pursuit of Tucker. While Feinsand’s report suggests a closer connection to Toronto, both Bob Nightengale and Nicholson-Smith have noted that the Yankees are in the mix. The Dodgers are also listed as a team interested in signing the former Cubs and Astros player.

Tucker made his name alongside Altuve, playing for Houston since 2018 and putting up solid numbers, including a .273 career batting average. The period from 2022 to 2024 marked his best years with the Astros before he ultimately left to play one season with the Cubs, where he posted a .266 average, 133 hits, and 22 home runs.

How much would a player like Tucker cost?

If the Blue Jays want Tucker, they will have to pay a relatively high price. His current Market Value on Spotrac is estimated at $40 million per year on a minimum 10-year contract worth $400 million. He is expected to command at least $30–35 million annually.

The veteran infielder admitted the disappointment of missing October but pledged a response. “We were not able to accomplish that this year, but we promise our fans this offseason is going to be one of a lot of hard work. We’re all going to get better. Next year will be one to remember.”

Jose Altuve, who has been part of every playoff run since 2017, echoed the emotions of his teammate. “I think we are all disappointed and sad about it… We tried to fight to the last day. We had some chances before today’s game and it didn’t happen. Not a good feeling.”

Astros manager Joe Espada said addressing the team after elimination was painful but necessary. “That’s the meeting, that’s the conversation you don’t want to have with your team. I told this team I’m really proud of them because we have gone through a lot.”

Espada praises team’s heart, looks ahead

Espada highlighted the resilience of a roster battered by injuries all season long. “We got guys that have no business being on the field right now, banged up injury-wise. But they’re playing through pain and through injuries just because they want it for our city. That’s the heart of a champion right there.”

The manager admitted that improvements are needed but believes the culture remains strong. “If we’re healthy… there’s places we could address and make our roster better. But the heart and the foundation and what makes this team really good is still in the clubhouse.”

Right now, the Astros are in full control of the AL West with a 60-43 record and have shown plenty of strength offensively. Still, any addition would be welcomed, and adding a new teammate for Altuve — especially one from Venezuela like him — could be a smart move.

The Yankees, however, are also interested in the same player. According to a report from Francys Romero, the Astros could have an edge in the sweepstakes thanks to the strength of their prospect pool, which could give them the right pieces to make a deal happen.

Who is the player both the Astros and Yankees are chasing?

The player in question is Venezuelan third baseman Eugenio Suárez, who’s reportedly drawing interest from not only the Yankees and Astros, but also the Dodgers, Mariners, and Cubs. Romero reported that Houston has legitimate interest in acquiring the Diamondbacks veteran, whose contract is nearing its end in Arizona.

Suárez’s market is wide — and it’s not just contenders making a push. His former team, the Cincinnati Reds, are also said to be in the mix. According to Trent Rosecrans, there’s mutual interest between the Reds and Diamondbacks regarding a potential reunion.

The Mariners have also shown significant interest, especially after acquiring Josh Naylor. That move could signal they’re still very much in play — and possibly blocking Suárez from landing in Houston or New York, where he could reunite with a former teammate.

“As he continues a resurgent season that’s putting him among the game’s elite, Houston Astros shortstop Jeremy Peña has hired agent Scott Boras to represent him, a league source told The Athletic on Monday,” wrote Chandler Rome in his report.

As Chandler Rome noted in The Athletic, hiring Boras could complicate Jeremy Peña’s future alongside José Altuve in Houston. Boras is known for encouraging his clients to be aggressive in contract talks—especially when it comes to landing massive MLB extensions.

When does Peña’s contract with the Astros end?

Unfortunately for the Astros, Peña’s current deal expires at the end of the 2025 season. He’s set to receive a final salary of $4.1 million—and that’s it. It remains to be seen what kind of offer the organization will make him, especially considering they paid him just $783,000 last year. With Boras now in charge, Peña’s next contract is widely expected to be significantly larger.

Let’s not forget: Boras played a major role in securing Juan Soto’s staggering $765 million deal with the Mets after a long offseason of negotiations. And just a few weeks ago, Altuve himself said Peña deserved a major extension, telling reporters, “I’m surprised he’s not signed into a long-term deal with the Astros…”

Peña is thriving this season

Through nearly 80 games with Houston, Peña has already hit 11 home runs—just four shy of his 2023 total and 11 away from matching his rookie-year mark in 2022. He’s currently slashing .326 with 40 RBIs, 99 hits, and 47 runs scored. For a shortstop, those numbers are nothing short of outstanding.

The Houston Astros have been playing great baseball lately. However, not everything is positive within the MLB franchise as one player who was gaining momentum got hurt and will be out of action for the next few days. As Jose Altuve and teammates look to continue their good run, the injured outfielder will do his best to recover fastly.

Jacob Melton was mostly lined up as a left fielder and started nine games already this season. He suffered a sprained ankle so the team had to place him on the 10-day injured list. The injury happened while playing defense vs. the Twins on Friday night.

The rookie was starting to get some groove, racking up six RBIs in 11 games, including hitting a triple against Minnesota prior to spraining his ankle. While it seems he will be back in a couple of weeks, these kinds of injuries can take a toll.

Houston leads the AL West

Houston is first in their division with 4.5 games of leverage over the Mariners, per the time of writing. The Astros have been a great team at home, stacking wins after wins en route to a 25-13 record in the Astrodome.

Once again, it’s the other left fielder on the team, Jose Altuve, leading the offense. He ranks in the Astros’ top 5 for runs, hits, home runs, and RBIs. At 35 years old, Altuve is still on top of his game delivering the goods in the MLB.

The Astros also had to make other roster moves

Houston picked up the contracts of outfielder Cooper Hummer and infielder Luis Guillorme from Sugar Land. Also, the team optioned Shay Whitcomb to Triple-A Sugar Land.

The Astros needed to make room on the 40-man roster, hence they transferred right-handed pitcher Spencer Arrighetti to the 60-day injured list. The 25-year old is still recovering from a fractured thumb in his throwing hand suffered back on April.

The adjustment, confirmed by Astros manager Joe Espada, was not a tactical decision made by the staff alone, but rather a direct request from Altuve himself. The 2017 AL MVP explained that the change stemmed from his need to better adapt to the physical and mental demands of playing in the outfield.

“I just told Joe that maybe he can hit me second some games at some point, and he did it today,” Altuve said, via the Associated Press, highlighting the open line of communication with his manager. He further elaborated on the rationale: “I just need like that little extra time to come from left field, and he decided to put Jeremy [Peña] there.”

Altuve seeks new offensive dynamic after requested adjustment

With Altuve moving to the second spot in the lineup, shortstop Jeremy Peña—who holds a .327 on-base percentage, the second-best on the team—stepped into the leadoff role. Though Altuve has become synonymous with leading off, he reminded reporters that he often alternated between the first and second spots during his time alongside George Springer.

The decision also comes at a time when the nine-time All-Star is looking to refine his offensive rhythm. “My at-bats haven’t been going the way I wanted lately,” Altuve admitted to Leah Vann of the Houston Chronicle. “So maybe hitting with [Peña] on base, or whoever, is going to help me get to the point I want to. I hit second before when Springer was here. I think that extra time is going to help me and help me get a better approach.”

The last time Altuve did not lead off for the Astros dates back to June 17, 2023, when he batted second against the Cincinnati Reds and went hitless in four at-bats.

Will the adjustment spark the Astros’ offense?

The Astros’ offense has shown inconsistency in the early stages of the 2025 season, and this subtle yet significant lineup shift could be a catalyst for change. With Altuve’s leadership and self-awareness driving the adjustment, the team hopes this new dynamic can reinvigorate their run production and overall momentum.

While acknowledging he owns multiple of the controversial bats, Altuve made his stance clear, stating, “I don’t think I’m going to try it out.” The former Astros shortstop, now transitioning to the outfield, left the door slightly ajar, however, by not ruling out future use entirely.

Altuve is off to a solid start this MLB season, hitting .274 with 3 home runs, 13 runs scored, and 29 hits in 113 plate appearances, along with just 23 strikeouts.

What kind of bat does Jose Altuve use?

Altuve has a history with the CC8 model, also known as the MC1/CG1. He first tried the bat in 2017 and frequently used it, notably during his MVP season with the Astros. This type of bat typically costs around $200.

Throughout his long career with the Astros, Altuve has consistently been a strong hitter. In 2024, he finished with a .294 average without using a torpedo bat and maintains a career .306 average since 2011, a testament to his consistent performance.

Altuve ready to play anywhere

Beyond his prowess at the plate, Altuve recently emphasized his willingness to play wherever the team needs him, whether in the outfield or his traditional infield positions.

“I’m here to do whatever Joe tells me to do and whatever the team needs (from) me. They needed me in left field some games. They need me at second some games. I’ll be there.”