Houston Astros vs. Seattle Mariners - News - April 17, 2022 | FOX Sports

Lance McCullers Jr. - Shifts to 60-day injured list McCullers (forearm) was transferred to the 60-day injured list Monday, Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Impact McCullers is still working his way back from the forearm injury he suffered during the postseason. He started throwing last week but remains without a clear timeline, though his move to the 60-day injured list at least clarifies that he won't return before early June. The transaction clears a spot for Yordan Alvarez to return from the COVID-19 injured list.

APRIL 18, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Joe Perez - Heads back to minors The Astros optioned Perez to Triple-A Sugar Land on Monday, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

Impact Perez was up with the Astros for the weekend series in Seattle, but he didn't see any action Friday through Sunday. With Yordan Alvarez (illness) making his return from the COVID-19 injured list ahead of Monday's game against the Angels, Perez was the logical choice to move off the 28-man active roster.

APRIL 18, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Aledmys Díaz - Stuck in bench role Diaz will return to the bench for Monday's game against the Angels, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

Impact Diaz enjoyed a run of five consecutive starts from April 8 through 13, but his playing time has tailed off following Yuli Gurriel's recent return from paternity leave. He'll be on the bench Monday for the third time in four games, and at-bats are likely to become even harder to come by for Diaz with Yordan Alvarez (illness) making his return to the lineup after a five-game stint on the COVID-19 injured list.

APRIL 18, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Niko Goodrum - Playing time hard to come by Goodrum remains out of the lineup for Monday's game against the Angels, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

Impact After handling a near-everyday role when healthy with Detroit for the better part of the past four seasons, Goodrum has predictably had a tougher time earning at-bats for a Houston club that boasts more position-player talent. Even though Goodrum is able to play all four infield spots and in the outfield, the Astros haven't made much use of his versatility. He's appeared in five of Houston's first nine games and has made three total starts at either first base or designated hitter.

APRIL 18, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Jason Castro - Returns to bench Castro is out of the lineup for Monday's game against the Angels, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

Impact Castro is back on the bench after he made his third start of the season in Sunday's 7-2 loss to the Mariners while going 0-for-3 with a walk. He'll likely pick up starts just once or twice per week while top backstop Martin Maldonado is available.

APRIL 18, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Chas McCormick - Takes seat Monday McCormick is out of the lineup for Monday's game against the Angels, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

Impact He'll take a seat after four consecutive starts, opening up a spot in the outfield for Jose Siri. McCormick was hitless over his final two games to close out the Astros' weekend series in Seattle, but his .746 OPS on the season and solid performance in 2021 might be enough to keep him atop the depth chart in center field for now. However, Siri's hot start to 2022 (.956 OPS in 20 plate appearances) has kept him relevant in the Houston outfield.

APRIL 18, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Yordan Alvarez - Returns to lineup Alvarez (illness) is starting Monday's game against the Angels, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

Impact Alvarez missed several days due to the league's COVID-19 protocols, but he reportedly didn't test positive for the virus. He rejoined the team Saturday and has now been reinstated from the COVID-19 IL prior to Monday's series opener against the Angels. In his first four appearances of the season, Alvarez went 2-for-14 with a home run, a double, two runs, two RBI and three walks.

APRIL 18, 2022 • ROTOWIRE