Guzman has elected free agency. Relegated to a bench role upon Jonathan Singleton's promotion in early June, Guzman went just 11-for-67 (.164 average) over the final four months of the season. He was outrighted off the 40-man roster earlier in the week, but Guzman has refused his assignment and will instead look to latch on elsewhere as a reserve.

Guzman was outrighted off the Astros' 40-man roster Thursday, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports. Guzman played regularly at first base in April and May, but took a back seat once Jonathan Singelton was promoted, logging just 67 at-bats over the final four months of the season. He finished with just a .188/.272/.248 batting line, and is clearly not a factor in the team's long-term plans.

Guzman (back) was activated from the disabled list Tuesday. Guzman served the minimum amount of time required as a result of a bout with back spasms. Despite crushing at the plate during his rehab assignment at Triple-A Oklahoma City -- he tallied eight hits (three doubles), five RBI, three runs, and three walks versus two strikeouts in 13 at-bats -- he'll act as depth at first base, DH, and left field.

Guzman (back) is slated to begin a rehab assignment at Triple-A Oklahoma City on Thursday, Jose de Jesus Ortiz of the Houston Chronicle reports. Guzman first came down with back spasms on Aug. 1, spurring a prompt placement on the disabled list. When he's healthy enough to return, though, he'll play second fiddle to Jonathan Singleton at first base, with the ability to take on left field as well.

Jesus Guzman's nightmarish 2014 season continued in Friday's loss to the Marlins, going 0-for-3 with a strikeout. The main reason that Guzman has a job on the Astros bench is his ability to mash left-handed pitching, so when he fails to do that it gives cause for concern. He's hitting a mere .197/.274/.268 with two homers and seven RBI in 142 at-bats on the year.

Jesus Guzman was back in the Astros' lineup on Tuesday. Guzman had to be scratched from Sunday's contest with back discomfort. "My back is much better today, and from yesterday to today I feel way better than last week," he said Tuesday.

Jesus Guzman was scratched from Sunday's lineup due to back discomfort. Consider him day-to-day for the time being. Jon Singleton took Guzman's spot at first base.

Jesus Guzman got a rare start against a right-hander on Wednesday and went 3-for-4 in the shutout loss to the Nationals. The Astros acquired Guzman to smack lefties around, but he's currently 7-for-18 against righties, compared to 6-for-38 versus southpaws. The trend doesn't figure to hold up, but with Marc Krauss proving to be a non-factor, the Astros may give Guzman more time against righties until Jon Singleton comes up.

Astros manager Bo Porter announced his starting lineup for Tuesday's season opener against the Yankees, and Jesus Guzman is getting the call at first base. It's likely to be a regular arrangement when the team is facing a left-handed starter. The rest of the Astros lineup shakes out like this: Dexter Fowler CF, Robbie Grossman LF, Jose Altuve 2B, Jason Castro C, Jesus Guzman 1B, Chris Carter DH, Matt Dominguez 3B, L.J. Hoes RF, Jonathan Villar SS.

Jesus Guzman went 0-for-2 on Monday and is 3-for-23 so far this spring. The Astros probably won't be cutting Guzman after acquiring him from the Padres in December, but he's not off to the kind of start that would lead to much playing time against righties to begin the season.