Paredes will start at third base and bat third in Thursday's opener versus the Angels.

EDGE Analysis

Jeremy Pena (finger) is on the active roster but not quite ready to play yet, so Paredes will occupy the hot corner while Carlos Correa slides over to shortstop. When the Astros' roster is fully healthy, it's going to be more difficult for Paredes to find a regular spot in the lineup.

Astros manager Joe Espada said Friday on Foul Territory that, if Jeremy Pena (finger) isn't ready for Opening Day, Carlos Correa (neck) would shift to shortstop and Paredes would start at third base.

EDGE Analysis

Pena has been diagnosed with a fracture in the tip of his right ring finger and will be reevaluated in two weeks before it's known whether he has a chance to be ready for the opener. Paredes doesn't have a clear path to a starting job when the Astros' crowded infield is healthy, but Pena's injury could open the door to everyday playing time for Paredes, at least on a temporary basis.

Paredes went 1-for-2 with a walk and a solo home run in Saturday's Grapefruit League matchup against the Pirates.

EDGE Analysis

Paredes started his spring with a bang, launching a homer off Pittsburgh's Bubba Chandler in the fifth inning. There are no doubts about Paredes' power potential -- he's hit 90 home runs over the last four seasons. However, there is a lingering question about where exactly he'll fit in Houston's lineup. Paredes served as the DH on Saturday, a spot expected to be occupied by Yordan Alvarez in the regular season. While his name has swirled in trade rumors for much of the winter, it's starting to appear more likely than not that Paredes will remain in Houston for now, in some kind of utility role.

Paredes was spotted playing second base during infield drills Monday and is expected to get reps at different positions throughout spring training, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

Paredes missed two months last season with a hamstring tear, leading to the Astros' re-acquisition of Carlos Correa. With Correa expected to man third base in 2026, Paredes enters spring training as the odd man out in a crowded Houston infield. While a trade remains possible and would probably be the best outcome for Paredes from a fantasy perspective, the Astros appear to be testing him out as a utility option. Second base could ultimately be Paredes' best path towards playing time, as manager Joe Espada has indicated he wants to give Jose Altuve some more rest this season. Paredes appeared in 102 games last year, posting an .810 OPS with 20 home runs and 53 RBI.

The Astros and Paredes avoided arbitration by agreeing to a one-year, $9.35 million contract Tuesday, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports. The deal includes a club option for 2027.

EDGE Analysis

The deal is the midpoint of the figures that were exchanged last month. Paredes will have one more year of arbitration eligibility next offseason before reaching free agency the following winter. There's currently not a clear opening in Houston's everyday lineup for Paredes, who hit .254/.352/.458 with 20 home runs in 2025, but he remains a candidate to be traded.

Astros general manager Dana Brown said Monday that Paredes (hamstring) will be "full-go" at the start of spring training, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports.

EDGE Analysis

Brown said during last month's general managers' meetings that Paredes wasn't fully recovered from his right hamstring tear and that the infielder likely wouldn't be 100 percent by spring training. Now, however, Brown seems confident that Paredes will not have any limitations when camp opens. Paredes should have an everyday role for Houston in 2026 -- assuming he's not traded -- though it's not yet clear what position he will play.

Astros general manager Dana Brown said during last week's general managers' meetings that Paredes was about 65 percent recovered from his right hamstring injury, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Brown added that he's hopeful Paredes will be 80-to-90 percent recovered by spring training and potentially be ready to go by Opening Day. Paredes missed two months due to a right hamstring tear suffered in mid-July before making a late-season return, though he was limited to designated hitter duty and severely compromised as a baserunner. The 26-year-old will continue to rehab the injury and it sounds like he'll be slow-played at the start of spring training.

Paredes is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Angels.

EDGE Analysis

With Houston having been officially eliminated from playoff contention following Saturday's action, Paredes and other key regulars will sit for the season finale. Jesus Sanchez will serve as the Astros' designated hitter in place of Paredes, who went 5-for-27 (.185) with one home run, three RBI and two runs while starting eight consecutive games following his Sept. 19 reinstatement from the injured list.

Paredes went 1-for-4 with a solo home run in Sunday's 7-3 loss to the Mariners.

EDGE Analysis

Paredes missed two months due to a right hamstring tear suffered in mid-July against the Mariners. He's gone 2-for-11 with a walk and six strikeouts over three games since his return to the lineup, though he is being eased back in as the designated hitter. For the season, Paredes is up to 20 homers while adding 51 RBI, 52 runs scored, 15 doubles, one triple and a .257/.356/.470 slash line over 97 contests. He has now reached the 20-homer mark in three of the last four seasons.

The Astros activated Paredes (hamstring) from the 60-day injured list Friday.

EDGE Analysis

Paredes suffered a torn right hamstring in mid-July that threatened to end his season, but opted to forego surgery in hopes that he could make it back late in the year. He has accomplished that goal, though Paredes is likely not yet 100 percent and will be asked to take it easy on the basepaths. With Yordan Alvarez (ankle) landing on the 10-day injured list, Paredes will step into the Astros' designated hitter role.