Walker went 0-for-4 with a strikeout Wednesday against the Cardinals.
Walker hasn't produced much this season, as he's collected only 10 hits across 65 at-bats with two extra-base knocks. He is also hitless across seven of his last nine starts. If there is a positive to take away, Walker has struck out multiple times in only one of his last six games after doing so seven times in his first 11 matchups.
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Astros' Christian Walker: Cranks first Astros homer
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Walker went 2-for-3 with a solo home run and a second run scored in Thursday's 5-2 win over Minnesota.
Walker had gone just 3-for-24 with no extra-base hits before launching a 402-foot homer off Joe Ryan to lead off the second inning Thursday. The Astros will hope it's the first of many for Walker, who posted an .803 OPS with 26 home runs and 84 RBI in 552 plate appearances with Arizona last season.
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Astros' Christian Walker: First hit for Houston
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Walker went 1-for-4 with a run scored in Thursday's game against the Mets.
Walker dealt with an oblique issue for most of spring training, but he was able to return for Opening Day. He was slotted into the cleanup spot and delivered a one-out single in the third inning to continue a key rally for the Astros. Walker should be a threat for 30 home runs while putting up strong counting stats in his first season in Houston.
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Astros' Christian Walker: Part of Opening Day lineup
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Walker (oblique) will start at first base and bat cleanup in Thursday's season opener versus the Mets, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports.
Walker didn't make any Grapefruit League appearances after March 2 due to left oblique soreness, but he resumed taking swings in batting practice nearly two weeks ago and was able to get in some competitive at-bats in minor-league games this past weekend. The first baseman also played the field in a simulated game Monday, clearing up most of the concern about his health heading into Opening Day. The Astros are counting on Walker providing some thump in the middle of the order after Houston traded away Kyle Tucker and let Alex Bregman walk in free agency this offseason.
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Astros' Christian Walker: Still on track for Thursday
Rotowire
Walker (oblique) took seven at-bats in a minor-league game Tuesday and is expected to be in the lineup for Thursday's season opener versus the Mets, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.
The 33-year-old finished spring training having played in just four Grapefruit League games due to the oblique injury. However, Walker is ramping up his rehab work and is expected to be good to go for Thursday's Opening Day matchup with New York.
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Astros' Christian Walker: Remains on track for opener
Rotowire
Astros manager Joe Espada said that Walker (oblique) played six innings on defense and hit a home run during a simulated game Monday, Ari Alexander of KPRC 2 Houston reports.
Espada added that Walker remains on track to be ready to roll for Opening Day on Thursday against the Mets. Walker played only four Grapefruit League contests due to left oblique soreness but has been getting in some at-bats in minor-league games to prep for the start of the regular season.
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Astros' Christian Walker: Still on track for Opening Day
Rotowire
Walker (oblique) will get at-bats in minor-league games this weekend and continue to play in minor-league contests when the Astros return to Houston. He remains on track to be ready for Opening Day, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.
Walker had appeared set to return to Grapefruit League action this weekend, but the Astros have elected to have him play in minor-league games instead. This will allow him to get more at-bats to make up for lost time and also gives the Astros the option to backdate an injured list stint, should he suffer a setback. Walker has played only four Grapefruit League contests due to left oblique soreness.
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Astros' Christian Walker: Closing in on return
Rotowire
Astros manager Joe Espada said Sunday that Walker (oblique) is scheduled to return to spring games next weekend and should be ready for Opening Day, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.
Walker has been rehabbing from a sore left oblique that developed in early March and has progressed to hitting in a batting cage. Walker signed a three-year, $60 million contract with the Astros in December after spending the last eight seasons with the Diamondbacks.
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Astros' Christian Walker: Hits in batting cage
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Walker (oblique) hit in the batting cage Thursday, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports.
It's the first time he's swung a bat since coming down with left oblique soreness last week. Walker has also gone through defensive workouts and is "coming along nicely," per Astros manager Joe Espada. It's not clear when Walker might be ready to play in games, but it shouldn't be long.
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Astros' Christian Walker: Not yet ready to swing bat
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Walker (oblique) said Sunday that he won't swing a bat for a few days before beginning a hitting progression later on next week, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.
After being scratched from the lineup last Wednesday due to left oblique soreness, Walker was sent for an MRI, which revealed no strain. He still needs the inflammation in his side to subside before he can fully resume baseball activities, however. Walker should still be ready for the Astros' March 27 season opener versus the Mets, but even if he avoids any further setbacks, he could still be a week or more away from Grapefruit League action.
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Astros' Christian Walker: MRI on oblique doesn't show strain
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Astros manager Joe Espada said Friday that an MRI on Walker's left oblique did not show a "strain or anything that we are concerned about," Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports.
The Astros are still referring to the injury simply as left oblique soreness, and Walker will return to the team Friday and be eased back into activities. It's as good a news update as the Astros and Walker could have hoped to hear regarding a diagnosis, and it would appear he should be able to avoid the injured list, barring any setbacks.
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Astros' Christian Walker: Undergoes ultrasound on oblique
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Walker said Thursday that he underwent an ultrasound on his left oblique but is waiting for the inflammation to subside before having additional imaging done, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.
Walker had to be scratched from Wednesday's Grapefruit League lineup versus the Cardinals due to the oblique injury. The first baseman missed five weeks of action for the Diamondbacks with a similar injury during the second half last season, but he said Thursday that his current injury isn't as severe. A stint on the injured list to begin the season remains a distinct possibility, but more will be known about Walker's status following the additional imaging.
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Astros' Christian Walker: Scratched with sore oblique
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Walker was scratched from Wednesday's lineup versus the Cardinals due to left oblique soreness, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.
The severity is not yet known, but any injury to the oblique is cause for concern. More information on Walker's condition should be available later Wednesday. Jon Singleton will replace Walker in Wednesday's lineup and would also likely take his spot at first base should Walker need time on the injured list at the start of the season.
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Astros' Christian Walker: Agrees to deal with Houston
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The Astros agreed to terms on a three-year, $60 million contract with Walker on Friday, Bob Nightengale of USA Today reports.
The Astros have their first baseman, which means Isaac Paredes will play third base and Alex Bregman is likely to sign somewhere else. Walker, who turns 34 in March, is the premier defensive first baseman in the game, having won three straight Gold Gloves and boasting the defensive metrics to match. He's also averaged 31.7 home runs over the last three seasons and should provide a boost in the middle of the Astros' lineup, provided he doesn't experience the kind of steep aging curve Jose Abreu did.
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Christian Walker: Stiff-arms qualifying offer
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Walker rejected the Diamondbacks' one-year, $21.05 million qualifying offer Tuesday, Mark Feinsand of MLB.com reports.
If Walker departs via free agency, the Diamondbacks will be in line to receive a draft pick in return. The veteran first baseman slashed .251/.335/.468 with 26 home runs over 130 contests this season while winning a third straight Gold Glove.
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Christian Walker: Extended $21.05 million QO
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The Diamondbacks extended Walker a one-year, $21.05 million qualifying offer Monday, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.
If Walker winds up departing via free agency, the Diamondbacks will net a draft pick. The first baseman won a third straight National League Gold Glove this season while slashing .251/.335/.468 with 26 home runs over 130 contests.
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Diamondbacks' Christian Walker: Starts rally in win
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Walker went 2-for-5 with a double, an RBI and two runs scored in Wednesday's 8-2 win over the Giants.
The Diamondbacks, who entered the night losers of their last three, were down early when Walker doubled to lead off the second inning and scored the first of three Arizona runs in the frame. He also singled home a run in the fourth. With the Diamondbacks still needing to secure a postseason bid, Walker should be a lineup regular in this weekend's series against the Padres.
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Diamondbacks' Christian Walker: Sitting for series finale
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Walker is not in the lineup for Sunday's game against the Brewers.
Josh Bell will start at first base against right-hander Frankie Montas as Walker sits after going 1-for-13 across the first three games of the series. Walker was hot initially after coming off the injured list in early September, and he's still batting cleanup most days for Arizona.
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Diamondbacks' Christian Walker: Clubs homer in loss
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Walker went 1-for-4 with a solo home run in Tuesday's 8-2 loss to the Rockies.
Walker's eighth-inning blast cut the deficit to four runs before the Rockies fired back with two more runs of their own. The first baseman has gone 11-for-38 (.289) with three homers and eight RBI over 12 contests since he returned from an oblique injury. It's shaping up to be a strong end of the year for the 33-year-old, who is slashing .257/.344/.487 with 26 homers, 79 RBI, 66 runs scored, 23 doubles and two stolen bases over 119 contests.
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Diamondbacks' Christian Walker: Launches two homers in win
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Walker went 2-for-4 with two home runs and three RBI in Tuesday's 6-0 win over the Rangers.
Walker went back-to-back with Joc Pederson in the first inning and added a two-run blast in the third. This was Walker's first multi-hit effort in six games since he returned from an oblique injury. The first baseman has reached the 25-homer mark for the third year in a row and the fourth time in six years, and he's added a .255/.338/.483 slash line with 76 RBI, 64 runs scored and two stolen bases over 113 contests.
