Jon Singleton, previously a first baseman for the Houston Astros, has signed a minor-league deal with the New York Mets after being released by Houston. Singleton, 33, played 119 games last season, achieving a 103 OPS+. The Astros opted to sign Christian Walker to a three-year contract worth $60 million and selected younger players for their roster, leading to Singleton's release. Astros GM Dana Brown praised Singleton's contributions but stated the team needed to improve at first base.

Christian Walker, the Houston Astros' first baseman, received encouraging news on his oblique injury following an MRI that showed no strain. After a brief return to Houston for an examination, he is back at the Astros' spring training camp, much to the relief of the team and fans.

Last season, Walker played 130 games for Arizona, posting a .251 batting average with a .335 on-base percentage, alongside 26 home runs and 84 RBIs. His performance has been a key factor, leading to his three-year, $60 million contract signed with the Astros in December.

Houston Astros manager Joe Espada is experimenting with lineup configurations this spring, particularly with his top four hitters: Jose Altuve, Isaac Paredes, Yordan Alvarez, and Christian Walker. This arrangement could maximize the effectiveness of this revamped lineup, with Paredes potentially hitting second due to his high walk rate, which complements Alvarez's hitting capability. Espada emphasizes the importance of creating scoring opportunities for his power hitters by having effective table-setters.

Alvarez, who thrived in both the second and third batting spots last season, is a focal point in these discussions. His ability to produce runs in scoring situations is crucial, especially with Altuve's history of performing well in similar scenarios. The Astros aim to balance their lineup, considering both left-handed and right-handed matchups, as they anticipate a more strategic approach to hitting order this season.