Owner Jim Crane commented that Smith “could make the ballclub this year at some point." That point could come sooner than expected.

Considering veteran first baseman Christian Walker has dealt with some oblique injuries in the past, the Astros decided to send him back to Houston on Thursday night to undergo an MRI to determine the extent of the left oblique injury he suffered Wednesday.

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,

The Houston Astros seemed close to getting third baseman Nolan Arenado in a trade from the Cardinals in December, but he reportedly nixed the trade. Months later, Joe Espada was asked if he ever talked to Arenado prior to him nixing the trade.

Here are three things we’ll be watching for around baseball today: Christian Walker was removed from the Astros’ spring training matchup against the Cardinals on Wednesday with soreness in his left oblique (per Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle ).

Astros newest slugger Christian Walker shared a truthful reaction to his oblique injury and how it compares to last season.

Despite the new first baseman's optimism about his injury, Houston is sending him home for more medical tests.

Jose Altuve, Isaac Paredes, Yordan Alvarez and Christian Walker formed the top of the Astros’ lineup for their Grapefruit League game against the Nationals.