Astros' Zach Dezenzo: Starts up hitting progression
Rotowire
Dezenzo (hand) began a hitting progression Saturday, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports.
Dezenzo had already been taking part in running and throwing programs, but he won't be cleared to begin a rehab assignment until he proves that he can hit high-velocity pitching without issue. The 25-year-old kicked off his hitting program by taking swings off of a tee, and he could soon be ready to face soft-toss pitching before eventually facing off against a pitching machine. Dezenzo has been on the shelf since June 1 due to a left hand capsule strain and is likely at least a couple weeks away from being activated from the 60-day injured list.
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Astros' Zach Dezenzo: Bumped to 60-day IL
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Dezenzo (hand) was transferred to the 60-day injured list Friday, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.
Dezenzo has been on the 10-day injured list since June 1 after suffering a capsule strain in his left hand. While there haven't been any updates on his recovery progress, his transfer to the 60-day injured list will prevent him from returning until at least August. Still, he remains without a definitive date for a return.
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Astros' Zach Dezenzo: Still not hitting
Rotowire
Dezenzo (hand) has not resumed hitting since being placed on the injured list June 3, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports.
There haven't been many updates on Dezenzo's status, likely because he hasn't made much progress in his recovery from a capsule strain in his hand. There's no timeline for his return, though he'll almost certainly be out until July.
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Astros' Zach Dezenzo: Capsule strain in hand
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Dezenzo has been diagnosed with a capsule strain in his left hand and will be re-imaged in two weeks, Ari Alexander of KPRC 2 Houston reports.
Dezenzo suffered the injury during Saturday's game against the Rays and was placed on the 10-day injured list Sunday. More should be known about a timetable for his return when he's re-imaged, but he's probably looking at a late-June return in a best-case scenario.
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Astros' Zach Dezenzo: Exits game due to hand injury
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Dezenzo was removed in the sixth inning of Saturday's game against the Rays due to left hand discomfort, Ari Alexander of KPRC 2 Houston reports.
Dezenzo felt discomfort in his left hand during his last plate appearance in the fourth inning, and he was replaced by Mauricio Dubon in left field at the top of the sixth frame, per Brian McTaggart of MLB.com. Dezenzo went 1-for-2 with a run scored prior to his exit.
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Astros' Zach Dezenzo: Taking seat Monday
Rotowire
Dezenzo is out of the lineup for Monday's game against the Rays.
Dezenzo will hit the bench for the second time in three games while he's fallen into a bit of a rough patch at the plate. Over his last 10 contests, Dezenzo has slashed .188/.333/.281 with a 35.9 percent strikeout rate. Chas McCormick will cover left field Monday in Dezenzo's stead.
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Astros' Zach Dezenzo: Reaches base three times
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Dezenzo went 1-for-2 with an RBI, two walks and two runs scored Wednesday against the Brewers.
Dezenzo's playing time was already ticking up, but it's even more secure with Yordan Alvarez (hand) sidelined. He has started four of five games with Alvarez out of the lineup, during which Dezenzo has gone 4-for-12 with two doubles, three walks, four RBI and six runs scored.
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Astros' Zach Dezenzo: Nursing thumb injury
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Dezenzo sat out Tuesday's game versus Toronto due to a jammed thumb, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.
Dezenzo injured himself while sliding into second base during Monday's game. Manager Joe Espada said after Tuesday's contest that the 24-year-old is feeling better after a day of rest and is expected to rejoin the starting lineup Wednesday, per Brian McTaggart of MLB.com.
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Astros' Zach Dezenzo: Takes advantage of rare start
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Dezenzo went 2-for-3 with two doubles, a walk, two runs scored and an RBI on Monday against the Blue Jays.
Dezenzo was in the lineup for only the fifth time this season and for the first time since April 12. He smacked an RBI double in the fifth inning to get Houston on the board and is now 4-for-18 on the campaign.
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Astros' Zach Dezenzo: Cracks Opening Day roster
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Astros manager Joe Espada said Tuesday that Dezenzo has made the Opening Day roster, Ari Alexander of KPRC 2 Houston reports.
With Christian Walker (oblique) expected to be fine for Opening Day and Jose Altuve and Cam Smith claiming the corner outfield jobs, Dezenzo wouldn't appear to be in line for regular time. His bat has potential, however, making him worth keeping an eye on should circumstances push him into the lineup.
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Astros' Zach Dezenzo: Back in lineup Thursday
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Dezenzo (jaw) is in the lineup for Thursday's Grapefruit League game against the Marlins, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.
After being struck in the face by a groundball Tuesday, Dezenzo was diagnosed with a TMJ sprain. However, he was cleared of a concussion and will be able to make a quick turnaround, continuing his bid for a roster spot. The 24-year-old is having a great spring, batting .378 with three doubles, two homers and six RBI across 15 exhibition games.
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Astros' Zach Dezenzo: Versatility could land roster spot
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Dezenzo could make the Astros' Opening Day roster, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports.
Dezenzo has racked up 33 at-bats and 34 plate appearances this spring while playing a combination of first base and both corner outfield spots. He's struck out at a 26.5 percent clip but also has four extra-base hits, and manager Joe Espada has noted the positive overall impression Dezenzo has made on the club. Even so, the status of Christian Walker (oblique) could ultimately dictate Dezenzo's fate to begin the campaign.
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Astros' Zach Dezenzo: Will play left field this spring
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Astros manager Joe Espada said Saturday at the team's FanFest event that Dezenzo will play a lot in left field during spring training, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.
An infielder by trade, Dezenzo's experience in left field is limited, though he did start three games there last season at Triple-A Sugar Land and played eight games in the outfield in the Puerto Rican Winter League. Left field currently looks to be Dezenzo's best shot at playing time with the Astros, although that could change if Jose Altuve moves there to accommodate the signing of Alex Bregman.
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Astros' Zach Dezenzo: Dispatched to Triple-A
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Dezenzo was optioned to Triple-A Sugar Land on Friday.
Dezenzo had a max exit velocity of 109.1 mph and hit one homer in 55 plate appearances with the big club, but he was largely overmatched. The hulking 6-foot-4 corner infielder hit .212 with a 32.7 percent strikeout rate and a 5.5 percent walk rate while playing sparingly after an Aug. 6 promotion.
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Astros' Zach Dezenzo: Knocks in two
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Dezenzo went 1-for-4 with two RBI on Wednesday against the Reds.
Dezenzo drew only his second start against a right-handed pitcher in the team's last seven games. Despite coming through with a two-RBI single in the sixth inning, he's struggled through his first 55 plate appearances in the majors, striking out at a 32.7 percent clip while hitting only .212.
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Astros' Zach Dezenzo: Idle again
Rotowire
Dezenzo is out of the lineup for Tuesday's game against the Rays, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.
Dezenzo will be on the bench for a second consecutive game as the Astros turn to Yainer Diaz at first base for the first time this season. Since being called up Aug. 6, Dezenzo has a .702 OPS in 22 plate appearances.
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Astros' Zach Dezenzo: Cleared for rehab assignment
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Double-A Corpus Christi assigned Dezenzo (wrist) to the rookie-level Florida Complex League on Monday to begin a rehab assignment.
Dezenzo looks like he's finally ready for game action after he had been limited for much of spring training due to a wrist injury. The 24-year-old will likely need several games in the FCL to get his timing back at the plate before he potentially heads to Single-A Fayetteville or High-A Asheville to continue his rehab assignment. He remains on Corpus Christi's 7-day injured list.
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Astros' Zach Dezenzo: Starting in Spring Breakout game
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Dezenzo (wrist) will start at third base and bat eighth Sunday in the Astros' Spring Breakout game against the Cardinals.
Dezenzo hadn't appeared in any Grapefruit League games for the Astros since March 1 while he managed a sore wrist, but his ongoing absence may have been more a byproduct of him not being a realistic candidate to crack Houston's Opening Day roster rather than due to concern about his health. The 23-year-old will be back in action Sunday in a game exclusively featuring prospects and should continue to play in minor-league games on the backfields of camp over the next couple of weeks as he prepares himself for the start of the minor-league season. He'll likely open the 2024 campaign with either Double-A Corpus Christi or Triple-A Sugar Land.
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Astros' Zach Dezenzo: Limited by wrist injury
Rotowire
Dezenzo is able to play the field but cannot hit in games due to a wrist injury, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.
It's not clear when he might be ready to swing the bat. Dezenzo, 23, finished last season at Double-A Corpus Christi and might be ready to move up to Triple-A Sugar Land to start 2024, if healthy. He had a breakout 2023 campaign, posting a .914 OPS with 18 homers and 22 steals between High- and Double-A.
