Christian

Vazquez

Vázquez languished on the open market all offseason before finally latches on with the Astros with just a few weeks leading up to Opening Day. The 35-year-old veteran is merely a part-time defensive specialist at this stage of his career and will be returning to Houston where he spent the final two months of the 2022 campaign after being dealt by the Red Sox. He’s a solid emergency option behind backup catcher César Salazar in case anything happened to starter Yainer Diaz.

With Victor Caratini leaving via free agency, the Astros are in the market for a backup to work behind Yainer Diaz. Vazquez, previously functioned in that role for the Astros in the second half of the 2022 season. He had a rough year at the dish with the Twins in 2025, slashing a woeful .189/.271/.274 with three homers and 14 RBI in 214 plate appearances.

Vazquez took Aaron Nola deep for the Twins’ only run of the game. The veteran has gotten the shorter end of the playing time in a committee with Ryan Jeffers. He now has three home runs and 14 RBI to go along with a .194/.276/.280 slash line.

It’s just a standard day off for Jeffers with a day game after a night game. Christian Vazquez will catch and bat ninth, while Trevor Larnach will be moved to designated hitter so that Carson McCusker can get a start in right field and bat seventh.

Vázquez has been on the injured list since August 8 with a shoulder infection. He’ll come back to his part-time role behind the plate and remains off the fantasy radar.

Vázquez will be out at least a week and a half with the injury, but it’s likely going to be a longer stint on the shelf for the 34-year-old. Jhonny Pereda is up from Triple-A St. Paul to take his place on the roster.

Jhonny Pereda will be called up to take over as Ryan Jeffers’ backup for however long Vázquez is sidelined.

Jeffers will be away from the club for the next couple days on paternity leave. It’ll be Christian Vázquez taking over the catching duties in his absence.

No surprise here after Jeffers was lifted from Tuesday’s battle after taking a foul ball off his throwing hand. The positive news here is that X-rays came back negative for any fractures and he’s merely dealing with a right hand contusion. He should be able to return at some point later this week once the swelling subsides. It’ll be veteran Christian Vázquez taking over the catching duties in his absence.

Jeffers was pulled in the top of the fifth inning after taking a ball of his arm during the previous frame. Christian Vázquez took over behind the plate. There should be an additional update on his status shortly.