Houston Astros first baseman Christian Walker smacked his 10th home run of the season on Tuesday in the Astros' 13-3 victory over the Athletics. The home run came in the fifth inning, with the Astros already leading 5-0, and it helped extend their lead as they went on to win easily. In addition to the home run, Walker finished the evening going 2-for-5 with two runs scored, two RBI, and a walk. It's been a real struggle for Walker with his new environment, coming over from the Arizona Diamondbacks in the off-season, but over the past seven days, he is slashing .292/.370/.583 with two home runs, six RBI, and five runs scored. On the season, he still holds a poor batting average of .216/.282/.371 slash line, but he is a career .247 hitter, so it's fair to think he may be in line for a big second half. Until then, he remains a low-end first baseman to roster from a fantasy perspective.

Houston Astros first baseman Christian Walker filled the stat sheet in Wednesday's 10-2 win over the visiting Chicago White Sox at Daikin Park, going 3-for-4 with a two-run homer, a double, four RBI, and a strikeout. Walker's ninth home run of the year came in the first inning off of Sean Burke to put the team up 3-0 in the first frame. The Astros are now 8-0 in games in which Walker goes deep. The 34-year-old veteran later extended the team's lead to 5-0 in the third inning by hitting a two-run double. It was Walker's third three-hit game in his first year with the Astros and his first four-RBI game since July 3 of last year with the Arizona Diamondbacks. It was nice to see from his fantasy managers, as Walker came into Wednesday's tilt hitting just .208 on the season. It was his first multi-hit game of June, and he now has nine hits in 34 at-bats over nine games this month.

Houston Astros first baseman Christian Walker hit a solo home run in Tuesday's 3-0 win over the Pirates. The homer was his eighth of the season, and he's now slashing .212/.276/.369. It's been an extremely disappointing year so far for the veteran, but he may finally be breaking out of the slump. The 34-year-old has hit three home runs in the past seven games, one of which was a three-hit day. The emergence of several young first basemen has sent Walker tumbling down the rankings, but it's too early to give up on him completely. The slugger has put up an average of 34 home runs over a 162-game pace from 2022 and 2024, which makes it worth giving him the benefit of the doubt for a little while longer.

Houston Astros first baseman Christian Walker (hand) is back at first base and is batting cleanup for the Astros in Friday's contest against the visiting Tampa Bay Rays and right-hander Ryan Pepiot at Daikin Park. Walker was pulled from Wednesday's game after being hit on the hand by a pitch and sat out of Thursday's contest, but X-rays on his hand came back negative, and he's ready to go for the weekend against Tampa. The 34-year-old has so far disappointed in his first year with the Astros and has hit .200 with a home run and two RBI in 10 career at-bats against Pepiot. He'll be hoping to turn things around at the plate heading into the month of June after slashing .212/.277/.365 with a .641 OPS, seven homers, 25 RBI and 23 runs scored in his first 203 at-bats. The good news is that positive regression should be coming, as his xBA stands at .247.

Houston Astros first baseman Christian Walker (hand) is not in the team's starting lineup for Thursday's contest against the visiting Tampa Bay Rays at Daikin Park. Catcher Victor Caratini will play first base and bat cleanup against Rays right-hander Shane Baz. Walker wore a pitch off his right hand in Wednesday's game, and although X-rays came back negative, the Astros are giving him at least one day off to heal up. Fantasy managers will need to check back on Friday to see if the 34-year-old right-handed slugger is feeling good enough to play against Tampa. In his first year with Houston, Walker has struggled, hitting only .212 (43-for-203) with seven home runs, 25 RBI and 23 runs scored. He's hit .229 (22-for-96) in 25 games in May with three homers and 16 RBI. Caratini is hitting a career-best .280 but with only three homers. He's hitless in four career at-bats against Baz.UPDATE: Walker took ground balls before the game, and manager Joe Espada said he will also do some hitting. If Walker's hand feels OK after pre-game work, he could be available off the bench on Thursday night.

Houston Astros first baseman Christian Walker (hand) was removed from Wednesday's game early against the division-rival Athletics after he was hit on the right hand with a 96 mph fastball in the fourth inning, according to The Athletic's Chandler Rome. Walker was replaced by pinch-hitter Mauricio Dubon, who took over at first base. The 34-year-old veteran was 0-for-1 in the game with a hit-by-pitch and a run scored before leaving early. The good news is that Walker remained in the game for two innings before being replaced, but we won't know more on the severity of his injury until the team puts him through X-rays. If Walker misses an extended amount of time with his hand injury, Dubon and Yainer Diaz would likely split playing time at first in Houston. Coming into Wednesday's game, Walker was slashing .213/.275/.366 with seven home runs, 25 RBI and 22 runs scored in his first year with the Astros.UPDATE: Walker's X-rays came back negative.

Houston Astros first baseman Christian Walker went 2-for-4 with a three-run home run and a walk in Friday's 6-3 win over the Texas Rangers. It's been a miserable start to the season for Walker so far, as this effort brings his season slash line to just .210/.283/.358. His home run on Friday was his fifth of the season, but his first since April 28th. The 34-year-old is striking out at his highest rate since 2018 with his worst Barrel% since 2021. It is still relatively early in the season, so there should still be some optimism for a turnaround, but there should also be some level of concern for fantasy managers.

Houston Astros first baseman Christian Walker is taking the day off for Monday's series opener against the visiting Toronto Blue Jays at Daikin Park. Zach Dezenzo is starting at first base and is batting ninth against Blue Jays right-hander Kevin Gausman. Although he did go deep over the weekend against the San Diego Padres, Walker could use a mental rest after going 3-for-26 in his last eight games. The 34-year-old veteran power hitter hasn't gotten off to the start he was hoping for in his first year in Houston, as he's currently slashing .156/.253/.260 with two home runs, four RBI and nine runs scored in 77 at-bats. Walker has provided consistent power numbers in recent seasons, so fantasy managers are expecting him to turn things around sooner than later. Dezenzo has never faced Gausman in his MLB career and will be a weak DFS target for Monday's action.

Houston Astros first baseman Christian Walker has been off to a slow start with his new team, but was able to do some damage on Thursday. Walker helped his team get on the scoreboard with a solo shot off right-hander Joe Ryan in the second inning. His day wouldn't end there as he would also single later in the game as Walker reached base three times during this contest. The veteran slugger is still hitting under .200 through the first seven games. However, his two-hit performance did help as the Astros were able to come back and win this ballgame. Fantasy managers will just need to be a little more patient with Walker.

As expected, Houston Astros first baseman Christian Walker (oblique) is at first base and is batting cleanup in his debut with the team on Opening Day on Thursday against the visiting New York Mets and right-hander Clay Holmes at Daikin Park in Houston. The Astros shut Walker down in spring training on March 2 with left-oblique soreness, and he didn't make another appearance in Grapefruit League action. However, Walker was able to get at-bats in a minor-league setting last weekend and was deemed ready to go for Opening Day. The 33-year-old right-handed power hitter went 4-for-8 with three doubles in the four Grapefruit League contests he appeared in, and he should be a stable power bat for fantasy managers in the middle of Houston's lineup in his first year with the team in 2025 as long as he stays healthy. Walker has faced Holmes just twice in his career and has a solo homer against him.

Houston Astros first baseman Christian Walker (oblique) took seven at-bats in a minor-league game on Tuesday and will travel back to Houston in the evening. He is still expected to be in the Opening Day lineup on Thursday against the New York Mets, according to manager Joe Espada. An oblique injury suffered in spring training limited Walker to only four Grapefruit League games, so it wouldn't be a surprise to see him get off to a slow start at the plate in his first year in Houston. The 33-year-old veteran right-handed slugger is by no means an elite fantasy first baseman, but he's been among the most consistent power threats at the position the last three years with the Arizona Diamondbacks, producing two 30-homer campaigns while driving in 281 runs the last three seasons. His new home in Houston should help him continue that run as long as he stays healthy.

Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports that Houston Astros first baseman Christian Walker (oblique) is on track to be ready for Opening Day. Walker has been sidelined since early March with left oblique soreness and has been relegated to hitting in the cages. However, he's set to get at-bats in minor-league games this weekend and will hang back to get some more while the team returns to Houston. It's good news for the veteran, as Houston will look for him to supplement some of the production lost by the departures of third baseman Alex Bregman (Red Sox) and outfielder Kyle Tucker (Cubs). The power-hitting righty saw his home run total drop a bit in 2024, though he played in 130 games instead of the 157+ he appeared in over the prior two seasons. He's often off the boards inside the top 75 in fantasy drafts.

Houston Astros manager Joe Espada said on Wednesday that first baseman Christian Walker (oblique) is on track to play in Grapefruit League games this weekend. Walker is cutting it close to be ready for Opening Day next Thursday, but as long as he doesn't suffer a setback with his oblique when he resumes playing in games, he should be ready. The 33-year-old dealt with a sore left oblique in early March and has been held out of spring games since as a precaution. The good news is that Walker has been hitting in the cages, but he has also only had 10 plate appearances in spring training to this point. Fantasy managers shouldn't rule out Walker getting out to a slow start in 2025 in his first year with the Astros after signing a three-year, $60 million deal in December. The right-handed power hitter has been a consistent power hitter when healthy the last eight years with the D-backs, though.

Houston Astros first baseman Christian Walker (oblique) is expected to return to spring training games this week and should be "fine" for Opening Day. Earlier in camp, Walker suffered an oblique injury but appears to be nearing a return. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor his status but given this report, he should be a full-go by Opening Day. In the offseason, the Astros signed Walker to a three-year $60 million contract. Last season, Walker held a .251/.335/.468 slash line with 26 doubles and 26 home runs across 130 contests. He tallied 72 runs and added 84 RBI. He generated an impressive .351 xwOBA with a 13.3 percent barrel rate. Fantasy managers should view Walker as a solid low-end No.1 first baseman as his power should translate well to the short left field in Daikin Park.

Houston Astros first baseman Christian Walker (oblique) was hitting in the batting cage. The first baseman also fielded ground balls and ran. This is a great sign as this is the first time the 33-year-old swung a bat since suffering this injury. Walker underwent an MRI on his oblique but did not suffer a strain. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor his status, but it appears he will likely not be in danger of missing Opening Day. Earlier in the offseason, Walker signed a three-year deal with the Astros worth $60 million. Last season, Walker held a .251/.335/.468 slash line with 26 home runs in Arizona. He generated an elite .351 xwOBA, 13.3 percent barrel rate, and 48.0 percent hard-hit rate, which were all well above the average marks. When healthy, fantasy managers should expect Walker to serve as the everyday first baseman in Houston. He should be viewed as a solid No. 1 first baseman in all formats given his high-upside power.

Houston Astros first baseman Christian Walker (oblique) has yet to resume swinging a bat at camp but will take infield on Tuesday. Walker suffered a minor left-oblique injury and is being eased back into baseball activities. The 33-year-old veteran is running out of time to get back up to speed with Opening Day two weeks away, but there is still time. At worst, Walker will open the 2025 regular season on the injured list but miss the minimal amount of time. In that even, the left-handed-hitting Jon Singleton would take over at first base. Fantasy managers shouldn't be too concerned about Walker unless he has a setback as he ramps up to try to get back into Grapefruit League games before the end of spring training. Walker isn't a household fantasy name but isn't a bad consolation prize as a low-end No. 1 first baseman after having hit 30-plus homers in two of the last three seasons.

Houston Astros first baseman Christian Walker (oblique) will not swing a bat for a few days. However, he was seen running and stretching with the team earlier on Sunday. Walker underwent an MRI on his oblique after being scratched from Wednesday's lineup. However, he did not suffer a strain and the diagnosis provided "relatively good news." Fantasy managers should continue to monitor his status but he is currently on track to not miss any time during the regular season. Earlier in the offseason, the Astros signed Walker to a three-year $60 million contract. The 33-year-old has spent the majority of his MLB career in Arizona after playing his first two seasons in Baltimore. Last summer, Walker posted a .251/.335/.468 slash line with 26 doubles and 26 home runs. When healthy, he should bat in the heart of the Houston lineup which should provide him with elite RBI opportunities.

Houston Astros first baseman Christian Walker's (oblique) MRI exam didn't show a "strain or anything that we are concerned about," manager Joe Espada said. The Astros are calling Walker's injury left-oblique soreness. He is returning to the team in camp on Friday and will be eased back into baseball activities. It's good news for the team's new first baseman, but the 33-year-old isn't out of the woods yet with three weeks until Opening Day. The good news is that if Walker doesn't have any setbacks with his oblique as he ramps back up, he still has a chance to be ready for the start of the regular season. If he's not ready to go, the left-handed-hitting Jon Singleton would see most of the playing time at the cold corner to begin the year. Assuming Walker's oblique injury doesn't linger and affect his early-season production, he's not a bad fallback target at the first base position in fantasy drafts. Walker has 30-plus homers in two of the last three seasons.

Houston Astros first baseman Christian Walker (oblique) said his left-oblique injury isn't as serious as the one that kept him out for a month last season. He said he is sore on Thursday but not worse than Wednesday, which is a good sign. Walker had an ultrasound and is waiting for the inflammation to subside before getting further imaging. It's not much of an update and doesn't really give us much of an indication if the 33-year-old will be ready by Opening Day after he was scratched from Wednesday's Grapefruit League lineup against the St. Louis Cardinals. Last year with the Arizona Diamondbacks, Walker missed five weeks in the second half of the season. Even if this oblique injury isn't as serious, it doesn't mean he won't start the 2025 season on the injured list. Until we know more, it will certainly give fantasy managers pause in taking Walker as a top-10 fantasy first baseman in upcoming drafts.

Houston Astros first baseman Christian Walker (oblique) was scratched from Wednesday's Grapefruit League game against the St. Louis Cardinals with left-oblique soreness, according to MLB.com's Brian McTaggart. Jon Singleton will start in Walker's place at first base. Until we know more, we'll consider Walker to be day-to-day, but oblique injuries can linger and be tricky to recover from, so the 33-year-old veteran's availability for Opening Day later this month could be in question. Check back later for an update on the severity of his oblique injury. If Walker were to miss the start of the 2025 regular season in his first year in Houston, Singleton would become the team's regular first baseman, as he was for much of 2024. Ranked as RotoBaller's No. 7 fantasy first baseman, Walker has underrated power with 95 homers in the last three seasons.