Valbuena will be out of the lineup Sunday against the Brewers.

EDGE Analysis

Though the Astros are facing a right-handed starting pitcher in Jimmy Nelson on Sunday, the lefty-hitting Valbuena will give way to Marwin Gonzalez in what likely just amounts to a maintenance day for Valbuena. The veteran infielder had started each of the Astros' previous six games at third base, going 5-for-19 with two RBI and two runs scored.

Valbuena has gone 2-for-6 with a double, two walks and one strikeout since returning to action Wednesday.

EDGE Analysis

He left the team to attend to a personal matter and was away for a week, but Valbuena is back and appears good to go for Monday's opener against Masahiro Tanaka and the Yankees. With Tyler White at first base, Valbuena is expected to serve as the primary option at third to start the year, but he'll need to perform to keep the likes of Matt Duffy, Marwin Gonzalez and prospect Colin Moran at bay.

Valbuena has left the team to attend to a personal matter, the Houston Chronicle's Evan Drellich reports.

EDGE Analysis

He will not join the club on their weekend trip to play two exhibitions in Mexico City, and prospect Colin Moran will go to play third base in Valbuena's stead. There is nothing to suggest Valbuena won't be ready for the start of the regular season, but it will be worth checking next week to make sure he has rejoined the team. Incidentally, Moran has just slightly outplayed the veteran this spring, slashing .300/.364/.467 compared to Valbuena's .265/.375/.441 line. Moran has not yet played above Double-A, but he has one of the better hit tools in the Astros' minor league system, and could represent an upgrade over Valbuena at some point in the first half.

Valbuena made his Grapefruit League debut Friday, going 2-for-3 with a home run and three RBI against the Cardinals.

EDGE Analysis

Valbuena is best suited for a platoon role after hitting just .158 over 114 at-bats against left-handed pitchers last year, but he'll see plenty of starts between third and first base for the Astros this season.

Valbuena (foot) and the Astros agreed to terms on a one-year, $6.125 million deal Friday, avoiding arbitration, Jon Heyman of CBS Sports reports.

EDGE Analysis

As expected, the two sides were able to settle, and Valbuena should slide into an everyday role in 2016, seeing time at both first and third base. Valbuena underwent foot surgery in October but is expected to be ready when spring training opens.

Astros GM Jeff Luhnow said Tuesday that Valbuena (foot) will play every day in 2016, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

It's still relatively early in the offseason, but the Astros appear content to play Valbuena on an everyday basis in 2016 between first base and third. The home run numbers dropped off for Valbuena in the second half of last season, but his slugging percentage actually improved, and his OBP shot up by more than 70 points.

Valbuena underwent offseason foot surgery in October but is expected to be ready for spring training, The Houston Chronicle reports.

EDGE Analysis

Valbuena had a bunion removed from his left foot following the Astros' playoff run, but it does not appear to be serious and he should be fully healthy by the time position players report to camp in February. The Venezuelan will look to build off of his 2015 power surge in which he recorded a career-high 25 home runs.

Valbuena went 3-for-4 with a home run, two doubles, a walk, two RBI and two runs scored in a win over Arizona on Friday.

EDGE Analysis

Every Astros hitter seemed to hit on Friday on the 21-run onslaught and Valbuena was a major catalyst. The crazy thing about Valbuena's season is that 43 of his 96 hits this season have been either a double or a home run. It's unclear if he simply can't hit for average or if he's going all-in for power. In any case, he can't sustain this and he'll have to change something to be successful next season.

Valbuena went 2-for-3 with a solo home run, a double and a walk in a win over the Mainers.

EDGE Analysis

Valbuena has had a very strange season, as many of his few hits have been for extra-bases. In fact, 40 of Valbuena's 93 hits have either been a home run or a double. That sort of rate in unsustainable for next season and he'll either have to fix his .219 average or he'll see plenty of time on the bench.

Valbuena is not in the lineup for Tuesday's game against the Mariners.

EDGE Analysis

With the Astros facing a fourth straight lefty, Valbuena will remain on the bench in favor of Chris Carter at first base. Valbuena has managed just four homers since the All-Star break after hitting 19 in the first half, though he's offset the drop in slugging to a large extent with a 50-point jump in OBP.