Luis

Guillorme

Guillorme returns to the fold at Triple-A Sugar Land as emergency infield depth. The 30-year-old defensive wizard passed through waivers unclaimed and elected free agency earlier this week. He got into 12 games for the Astros before suffering a hamstring strain in early July.

Guillorme has opted to test the open market rather than accept an outright assignment to Triple-A Sugar Land after passing through waivers unclaimed. The versatile 30-year-old defensive specialist has been on the injured list since July 2 recovering from a hamstring strain.

Guillorme figures to miss at least a couple weeks after being diagnosed with a hamstring strain, even if it winds up being of the more mild variety. The 30-year-old has operated in a versatile bench role since coming up from Triple-A Sugar Land back on June 14.

The positive news for fantasy managers is that Paredes has managed to avoid a trip to the injured list after suffering a hamstring injury during Thursday’s showdown against the White Sox. The 26-year-old infielder figures to be ready to return to Houston’s lineup at some point during a four-game series against the Athletics, which kicks off on Monday night. It’ll be Luis Guillorme filling in at third base on Sunday afternoon in his absence.

The 30-year-old infielder will take the place of Shay Whitcomb on the Astros’ bench. Guillorme has slashed .248/.377/.317 with two homers, 22 RBI, three swipes and a 46/41 K/BB ratio over 244 plate appearances at Triple-A Sugar Land this season.

They’ll first need to clear a spot on their active roster, which could mean either Isaac Paredes or Jacob Melton are heading to the injured list. Guillorme, 30, has hit .248/.377/.317 with two homers, 22 RBI, three swipes and a 46/41 K/BB ratio over 244 plate appearances at Triple-A Sugar Land this season. He can be ignored for fantasy purposes.

Astros manager Joe Espada said Saturday that Luis Guillorme and Miguel Castro have been told they won’t make Houston’s season-opening roster, but they’re presumably sticking around at Triple-A Sugar Land. It’s undoubtedly a positive development for both Brendan Rodgers and top prospect Cam Smith that two likely bench options aren’t making the club’s Opening Day roster.

Altuve has been a mixed bag in left field this spring as he acclimates to the outfield for the first time in his professional career, juxtaposing strong defensive plays with viral gaffes that have made the rounds on social media. The 34-year-old will likely make his share of mistakes, but has progressed to the point that the Astros are going to put him out there virtually every day in an effort to preserve Yordan Alvarez’s health. It’ll come down to some combination of Brendan Rodgers, Luis Guillorme or Mauricio Dubón filling the void at second base.

The 30-year-old Guillorme will serve as infield insurance for the Astros. He played in 79 games for three teams last year, hitting .205/.301/.273 in 187 plate appearances. He’s a career .251/.336/.322 hitter in 414 games, most of them coming with the Mets.

Guillorme was DFA’d last week. He could still be brought back if the D’backs run into any infield troubles the rest of the way.