WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. – World Baseball Network was on-site at CACTI Park of The Palm Beaches and caught up with Houston Astros manager Joe Espada ahead of his team’s spring training matchup against the St. Louis Cardinals. Espada discussed the Astros’ lineup depth, Altuve’s transition to left field, pitching evaluations, and key relievers expected to handle high-leverage situations. WBN recapped Houston’s 1-1 tie with St. Louis, highlighted top performers, and assessed international-born players on both teams.
Houston sits at 9-9-1 in Grapefruit League play following Wednesday’s 1-1 tie with St. Louis, which moved the Cardinals to 8-11-1.
Espada, 49, from Santurce, Puerto Rico, enters his second season as Houston’s manager after leading the Astros to an 88-73 record and an American League West title in 2024, finishing three and a half games ahead of the Seattle Mariners at 85-77.
Before taking over as manager, Espada served as Houston’s bench coach from 2018 to 2023. He also coached for Puerto Rico in the 2013 and 2017 World Baseball Classics, helping the team reach back-to-back finals before falling to the Dominican Republic in 2013 and the United States in 2017.
Espada led Houston to the American League Wild Card Series in his first season as manager, but the Detroit Tigers swept the Astros after a strong 2024 regular season.
He served as Houston’s bench coach from 2018 to 2023 before being promoted to manager on November 18, 2023, following Dusty Baker’s retirement.
During his first managerial game on April 1, 2024, Espada earned his first career victory in dramatic fashion—behind a no-hitter thrown by starting pitcher Ronel Blanco. That marked the 17th no-hitter in Astros history and made Espada the first manager in Major League Baseball history to earn his first win via a no-hitter.
Espada faces key roster decisions for the 2025 season, particularly at third base following Alex Bregman’s departure. Houston acquired Isaac Paredes, who will take over the hot corner and provide defensive stability.
The Astros must also adjust their rotation without right-hander Jose Urquidy. Veterans Framber Valdez, Ronel Blanco, Cristian Javier, Spencer Arrighetti, and Lance McCullers Jr. are among the favorites to start the season in the rotation.
Houston’s front office will also evaluate rotation depth with Hayden Wesneski, J.P. France, Hunter Brown, and Luis Garcia fighting for a roster spot ahead of Opening Day.
Houston also won 10-5 in a split-squad game against the Miami Marlins at Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium in Jupiter, Fla., on March 13.
Ronel Blanco pitched 3.2 innings, allowing seven hits, four earned runs, and one walk while striking out four. He surrendered a solo home run to Eric Wagaman in the second inning.
Astros catcher Cesar Salazar rocked a grand slam over the right-center field wall, his second homer of the spring, as Houston scored eight runs during the frame.
Colin Price added a solo homer to left-center, also his second of the spring, capping off the first-inning outburst.
The Astros continue Grapefruit League play on March 14, hosting the Toronto Blue Jays at CACTI Park of The Palm Beaches at 6:05 p.m. EDT. Earlier in the day, Houston’s prospects will face Nationals prospects in a Spring Breakout game at 2:05 p.m. EDT at the same venue.
Top Performers From Wednesday, March 13 In West Palm Beach
Houston right-hander Tayler Scott struck out the side in the fifth, fanning Nolan Gorman on a 2-2 swinging strikeout, freezing Thomas Saggese on a called third strike, and getting Michael Siani to chase a 1-2 pitch for the final out.
Bryan Abreu entered in the fourth and issued a leadoff walk to Brendan Donovan before inducing a 6-3 double play from Ivan Herrera and retiring Alec Burleson on a groundout to second to end the inning.
Yordan Alvarez cracked an RBI single to left in the third, scoring Jose Altuve to tie the game at 1-1.
Astros starter Spencer Arrighetti pitched three innings, allowing two hits, one earned run, one walk, and striking out four.
Cardinals left-hander Steven Matz went 4.2 innings, giving up two hits, one earned run, two walks, alongside three strikeouts.
St. Louis scored its only run in the third when Lars Nootbaar drilled a triple to center, bringing home Michael Siani.
St. Louis Cardinals International Born Players Listed On 40-Man Roster For Spring Training
St. Louis Cardinals international-born players on the 40-man roster for spring training include Wilson Contreras and Pedro Pages from Venezuela, Roddery Munoz and Jose Fermin from the Dominican Republic, Ivan Herrera from Panama, Matt Koperniak from the United Kingdom, and Brendan Donovan from Germany.
International-Born Spring Training & Overall Stats for Houston Astros
RHP – Bryan Abreu – Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic
Abreu has made four spring training appearances, throwing four scoreless innings with three hits, two walks, and three strikeouts. In 2024, he posted a 3.10 ERA with a 3-3 record over 78 appearances, earning one save while striking out 103 batters in 78.1 innings. Over six MLB seasons, he has a 2.75 ERA with 13 wins, eight losses, and nine saves across 247 total appearances.
RHP – Ronel Blanco – Santiago, Dominican Republic
Blanco has started two games this spring, allowing three earned runs over 3.1 innings with five strikeouts. In 2024, he recorded a 13-6 record with a 2.80 ERA in 30 appearances, including 29 starts, one complete game, and one shutout. Over three MLB seasons, he holds a 3.31 ERA with a 15-7 record in 54 total appearances.
RHP – Luis Contreras – Maracaibo, Venezuela
Contreras has been effective in spring training, pitching 5.1 scoreless innings across five appearances while allowing three hits and striking out seven. As a rookie in 2024, he struggled with a 9.00 ERA in five appearances, striking out six batters in six innings.
RHP – Luis Garcia – Barinitas, Venezuela
Garcia is competing for a rotation spot after posting a 4.00 ERA over six starts in 2024. He finished the year with 27 innings pitched, 12 earned runs, and 31 strikeouts. Over four MLB seasons, he has a 3.61 ERA with 28 wins, 19 losses, and 69 total appearances.
RHP – Christian Javier – Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic
Javier is looking to build on a 2024 season in which he went 3-1 with a 3.89 ERA over seven starts. He pitched 34.2 innings, allowing 15 earned runs while striking out 27. Across five MLB seasons, he holds a 3.31 ERA with a 33-18 record in 116 total appearances.
RHP – Tayler Scott – Johannesburg, South Africa
Scott has struggled this spring, posting a 10.50 ERA over five appearances. He has pitched six innings, allowing seven earned runs and two home runs while striking out four. In 2024, he had a 2.23 ERA in 62 appearances, finishing with a 7-3 record and 68.2 innings pitched.
LHP – Framber Valdez – Sabana Grande de Palenque, Dominican Republic
Valdez has started three games this spring, allowing three earned runs over 6.2 innings with seven walks and four strikeouts. In 2024, he was a key part of Houston’s rotation, posting a 15-7 record with a 2.91 ERA over 28 starts, including one complete game. Over seven MLB seasons, he has a 3.30 ERA with 68 wins and 41 losses in 157 total appearances.
C – Victor Caratini – Ponce, Puerto Rico
Caratini has hit .222 this spring in 25 plate appearances, recording four hits, one home run, and two RBIs. In 2024, he batted .269 with eight home runs and 30 RBIs over 86 games. Over eight MLB seasons, he holds a .241 career batting average with 46 home runs in 606 games.
C – Yainer Diaz – Azua Province, Dominican Republic
Diaz has struggled at the plate in spring training, batting .107 in 28 plate appearances with one home run and two RBIs. He had a strong 2024 season, hitting .299 with 16 home runs and 84 RBIs over 148 games. In three MLB seasons, he has a .261 career batting average with 39 home runs.
LF – Jose Altuve – Maracay, Venezuela
Altuve has hit .167 this spring with three hits, one home run, and four RBIs in 21 plate appearances. In 2024, he batted .306 with 20 home runs, 65 RBIs, and 22 stolen bases over 153 games. Over 14 MLB seasons, he has recorded 2,232 hits and a .306 career batting average.
SS – Jeremy Pena – Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic
Pena has been one of Houston’s best hitters this spring, batting .500 with nine hits, two home runs, and four RBIs in 18 plate appearances. In 2024, he hit .266 with 15 home runs and 70 RBIs. Over three MLB seasons, he has a .261 career batting average with 47 home runs.
UTP – Mauricio Dubon – San Pedro Sula, Honduras
Dubon is batting .143 this spring with three hits, one triple, and two walks in 23 plate appearances. In 2024, he batted .278 with four home runs and 47 RBIs over 137 games. Over six MLB seasons, he holds a .269 career batting average with 32 home runs.
3B – Isaac Paredes – Hermosillo, Mexico
Paredes has batted .250 this spring in 23 plate appearances, recording four hits and one double while drawing five walks. In 2024, he hit .223 with six home runs and 25 RBIs over 52 games. Over five MLB seasons, he has a .232 career batting average with 72 home runs.
DH – Yordan Alvarez – Las Tunas, Cuba
Alvarez is hitting .150 this spring with three hits, one home run, and two RBIs in 20 plate appearances. He had a strong 2024 season, batting .308 with 35 home runs and 86 RBIs over 147 games. Over six MLB seasons, he has a .298 career batting average with 164 home runs.
RF – Pedro Leon – Havana, Cuba
Leon has appeared in one spring training game, going hitless in three plate appearances with one strikeout. As a rookie in 2024, he batted .100 over seven games with two hits and two stolen bases.
Q&A with World Baseball Network’s Matthew Tallarini and Houston Astros Manager Joe Espada
Joe, how do you feel about where the team is now with certain guys in the middle of the lineup who could help you out? And how are you adjusting to some defensive position changes, particularly with Altuve?
Espada: You know what? I think we’re in a really good spot. I really like the quality of at-bats we’re having, especially in the middle of the lineup. And with Altuve transitioning to left field, I think it’s going well. The work he’s put in has been great. With two weeks left in spring training, I think we have enough time to get him ready. Right now, I’m really pleased with where he is.
Q: How do you feel about Spencer’s mechanics today? What’s he working on with the catching staff? And what do you think about Caratini’s work behind the plate?
Espada: Yeah, let’s start with Caratini—he’s a true pro. His preparation, the way he carries himself, and his commitment to the pitching staff are outstanding. As for Spencer, he threw the ball really well today. I really liked how he mixed his pitches, especially the curveball. He’s going to be a force for us. We have high expectations for him, and I expect him to be a solid starter for us this season.
Q: Abreu and Scott—how do you see them fitting into the bullpen? Can they fill key middle or late-inning roles during the season?
Espada: Those are the guys I’m going to rely on when the fire is burning. They’ve shown they can come in and put out the flames when needed. Scotty threw the ball really well today. And we all know what Bryan Abreu is capable of—he’s one of the best relievers in the game, and we’re going to lean on him heavily.
Photo Source: AP Photo/Jeff Roberson
