The Astros optioned Julks to Triple-A Sugar Land on Wednesday.

EDGE Analysis

Julks spent the bulk of the 2023 season in the majors but came up short for an Opening Day roster spot this year. The 28-year-old will play corner outfield with Sugar Land and hope to get another shot with the big club sooner rather than later.

Julks may not make the Opening Day roster due to his lack of defensive value, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

Julks has hit well this spring, maintaining a .308/.333/.577 line across 27 plate appearances while striking out twice. That gives him a strong case to crack the Opening Day roster, but the team has Mauricio Dubon as a bench player capable of playing the outfield. Grae Kessinger could ultimately get the nod instead, as he can play every infield position except catcher.

Houston optioned Julks to Triple-A Sugar Land on Tuesday.

EDGE Analysis

This is the corresponding 26-man roster move for Michael Brantley (shoulder) as he returns from the 60-day injured list. Julks has batted just .245/.297/.352 through his first 323 major-league plate appearances in 2023.

Julks was called up by the Astros on Saturday, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

Julks will take the spot that had belonged to Grae Kessinger, who landed on the injured list due to health and safety protocols. Julks provided a bit of fantasy value as a 27-year-old rookie prior to his demotion in early August with his 15 steals, but his .245/.299/.353 slash line (81 wRC+) wasn't good enough to keep him in a regular role.

Julks was optioned to Triple-A Sugar Land on Monday, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

Julks has made more starts in left field than any other Astro this season, but he had been hitless across his last 36 at-bats and hadn't homered since June 18, which has resulted in a trip back to the minors. Chas McCormick should see most of the action in left moving forward, with Jake Meyers handling center.

Julks is not in the lineup Thursday against the Yankees.

EDGE Analysis

Julks recorded a walk in the Astros' win over Cleveland on Wednesday, but he's gone hitless in his last 41 plate appearances dating back to mid-July. Chas McCormick will play left field Thursday as Jake Meyers patrols center field.

Julks is out of the lineup for Sunday's game versus the Rays, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Julks is 0-for-27 at the plate over his past nine games and will sit Sunday for the second consecutive contest. Chas McCormick will shift to left field while Mauricio Dubon receives a start in center.

Julks isn't in the Astros' lineup Saturday versus Tampa Bay, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Julks has been in a major 0-for-27 slump at the plate over his last nine games, so he'll get a day off Saturday to regroup. Yordan Alvarez will fill in as Houston's left fielder, Chas McCormick will serve as the DH and Jake Meyers will start in center.

Julks is out of the lineup for Monday's game against the Rangers.

EDGE Analysis

Julks started each of Houston's last six games, going just 1-for-21 with three walks against five strikeouts during that stretch. Though he's been able to hold down a near-everyday role for a large chunk of the season, Julks could be in danger of seeing his playing time take a hit later this week, when Yordan Alvarez (oblique) is likely to return from the 10-day injured list.

Julks is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Mariners, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Julks started Houston's last eight games and will receive a day off after he went 11-for-27 with two doubles, three steals, two RBI and four runs during that stretch. Chas McCormick will shift to left field while Jake Meyers starts in center.