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Dezenzo is out of the lineup for Friday's game against the Cubs.
The Astros will go with Zach Cole and Cam Smith as their corner outfielders for the series opener, ending Dezenzo's streak of six consecutive starts in left field during which the 26-year-old went 5-for-19 with a double, a walk and run. The recent return of Jake Meyers from the injured list has left five outfielders competing for three spots. Dezenzo, Cole, Smith and Brice Matthews are all in the mix, although Matthews is also battling Braden Shewmake for starts at second base.
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Astros' Zach Dezenzo: Drawing another start
Rotowire
Dezenzo will start in left field and bat fifth in Monday's game against the Twins.
Dezenzo will start for the sixth time in seven games for Houston after going 5-for-17 with two doubles, two walks and a run scored during that stretch. The Astros will get Jeremy Pena (hamstring/neck) back from the injured list in Monday's series opener, but with Jose Altuve (oblique) heading to the IL in a corresponding move, Houston still has a spot up for grabs in the everyday lineup. Dezenzo and Braden Shewmake look to be the main candidates vying for that spot, with Shewmake's status as a left-handed batter perhaps giving him the edge in securing more playing time.
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Astros' Zach Dezenzo: Belts first homer of 2026
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Dezenzo went 1-for-3 with a two-run home run in Friday's 10-0 win over the Reds.
Getting the start in left field and batting seventh, Dezenzo took a returning Nick Lodolo deep in the second inning to get the rout started. It was Dezenzo's first hit in the majors this year, and since getting called up Tuesday the 25-year-old has started back-to-back games in left, once against a southpaw and once against a right-handed pitcher. He could have a path to consistent playing time if he's able to out-produce Zach Cole.
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Astros' Zach Dezenzo: Recalled following IL stint
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The Astros recalled Dezenzo (elbow) from Triple-A Sugar Land on Tuesday, Julia Morales of Space City Home Network reports.
Dezenzo is returning from a right elbow sprain he suffered while playing in the World Baseball Classic for Team Italy. He was activated off the 10-day injured list Monday but was promptly optioned to Triple-A Sugar Land. The outfielder is not in the lineup versus the Dodgers on Tuesday, so he may have to wait to see his first MLB action of the season. In a corresponding move, Dustin Harris was designated for assignment.
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Astros' Zach Dezenzo: Activated and optioned
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The Astros activated Dezenzo (elbow) from the 10-day injured list Monday and optioned him to Triple-A Sugar Land.
Dezenzo got a late start to the season after suffering a right elbow sprain during the World Baseball Classic while playing for Team Italy. He's gone 8-for-27 with one home run and a 7:7: BB:K in eight rehab games, and the Astros have elected to keep him in the minors rather than put him back on the major-league roster.
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Astros' Zach Dezenzo: Beginning rehab assignment
Rotowire
Dezenzo (elbow) will begin a rehab assignment with Double-A Corpus Christi on Friday.
Dezenzo sustained a sprained elbow while playing for Team Italy in the World Baseball Classic last month. The 25-year-old appeared in 34 games for the Astros last season, slashing .245/.321/.367 with two homers, 10 RBI, 17 runs scored, one stolen base and an 11:37 BB:K across 109 plate appearances.
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Astros' Zach Dezenzo: Sent to IL with elbow sprain
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The Astros placed Dezenzo (elbow) on the 10-day injured list Wednesday.
Dezenzo hurt his elbow while playing for Team Italy in the World Baseball Classic. There's no timetable for his return, but the fact that he was diagnosed with a sprain suggests it could be longer than a minimum absence.
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Astros' Zach Dezenzo: Won't be part of Opening Day club
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Astros manager Joe Espada said Sunday that Dezenzo won't be part of the Opening Day roster and will remain at extended spring training to rehab his right elbow injury, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.
Dezenzo recently injured his elbow while playing for Team Italy in the World Baseball Classic. Though the elbow hasn't presented any issues for him as a hitter, he'll need to prove that he can throw without limitations before he's cleared for game action. The Astros are likely to place Dezenzo on the 10-day injured list when they set their Opening Day roster Thursday.
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Astros' Zach Dezenzo: Injures elbow during WBC
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Astros manager Joe Espada said Wednesday that Dezenzo won't do any throwing over the next few days after his right elbow flared up while playing for Team Italy in the World Baseball Classic, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.
Espada noted that the injury isn't affecting Dezenzo at the plate, so the 25-year-old should still be available as a designated hitter over the Astros' final handful of Grapefruit League games. That said, Yordan Alvarez will be in line to serve as the Astros' primary designated hitter once the regular season gets underway, so Dezenzo will likely need to prove that he's able to throw at full distance and velocity before the end of camp to have a realistic shot at making the Opening Day roster as a backup corner infielder and corner outfielder.
Dezenzo (elbow/hand) was activated from the injured list Thursday, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.
Dezenzo was on a rehab assignment when the season ended, so he'll presumably be healthy for spring training. He'll likely compete for a bench role to begin 2026.
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Astros' Zach Dezenzo: Starting rehab assignment
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Dezenzo (hand/elbow) will begin a rehab assignment with Triple-A Sugar Land on Friday, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.
Dezenzo was pulled from his rehab assignment Sept. 5 after suffering an elbow sprain, but he's been cleared to see game action again. He'll start up another minor-league rehab assignment Friday. Dezenzo will have a little over a week to get up to speed in time to see regular-season action.
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Astros' Zach Dezenzo: Pulled off rehab assignment
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Dezenzo (hand) has been pulled off his minor-league rehab asssignment due to an elbow sprain, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.
Dezenzo had been rehabbing from a left hand capsule strain at Triple-A Sugar Land, but he's been pulled off the assignment after picking up a sprained elbow. The 25-year-old's last minor-league appearance came Sept. 2. At this point, it's unclear when Dezenzo will be activated.
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Astros' Zach Dezenzo: Kicks off rehab assignment
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Dezenzo (hand) went 0-for-3 with two strikeouts in his first rehab game with Triple-A Sugar Land on Tuesday.
Dezenzo took part in his first game action in nearly three months, as he has been working his way back from a left hand capsule strain. The 25-year-old will likely remain on his rehab assignment at least through the end of August before being reinstated from the 60-day injured list at some point in September.
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Astros' Zach Dezenzo: Starts up hitting progression
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Dezenzo (hand) began a hitting progression Saturday, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports.
Dezenzo had already been taking part in running and throwing programs, but he won't be cleared to begin a rehab assignment until he proves that he can hit high-velocity pitching without issue. The 25-year-old kicked off his hitting program by taking swings off of a tee, and he could soon be ready to face soft-toss pitching before eventually facing off against a pitching machine. Dezenzo has been on the shelf since June 1 due to a left hand capsule strain and is likely at least a couple weeks away from being activated from the 60-day injured list.
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Astros' Zach Dezenzo: Bumped to 60-day IL
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Dezenzo (hand) was transferred to the 60-day injured list Friday, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.
Dezenzo has been on the 10-day injured list since June 1 after suffering a capsule strain in his left hand. While there haven't been any updates on his recovery progress, his transfer to the 60-day injured list will prevent him from returning until at least August. Still, he remains without a definitive date for a return.
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Astros' Zach Dezenzo: Still not hitting
Rotowire
Dezenzo (hand) has not resumed hitting since being placed on the injured list June 3, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports.
There haven't been many updates on Dezenzo's status, likely because he hasn't made much progress in his recovery from a capsule strain in his hand. There's no timeline for his return, though he'll almost certainly be out until July.
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Astros' Zach Dezenzo: Capsule strain in hand
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Dezenzo has been diagnosed with a capsule strain in his left hand and will be re-imaged in two weeks, Ari Alexander of KPRC 2 Houston reports.
Dezenzo suffered the injury during Saturday's game against the Rays and was placed on the 10-day injured list Sunday. More should be known about a timetable for his return when he's re-imaged, but he's probably looking at a late-June return in a best-case scenario.
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Astros' Zach Dezenzo: Lands on injured list
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The Astros placed Dezenzo on the 10-day injured list Sunday due to left hand inflammation, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports.
The 25-year-old departed Saturday's contest due to the injury and will be sidelined for at least the next 10 days. One of the Astros' top prospects, Jacob Melton, was called up in a corresponding move Sunday to bolster Houston's outfield depth.
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Astros' Zach Dezenzo: Exits game due to hand injury
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Dezenzo was removed in the sixth inning of Saturday's game against the Rays due to left hand discomfort, Ari Alexander of KPRC 2 Houston reports.
Dezenzo felt discomfort in his left hand during his last plate appearance in the fourth inning, and he was replaced by Mauricio Dubon in left field at the top of the sixth frame, per Brian McTaggart of MLB.com. Dezenzo went 1-for-2 with a run scored prior to his exit.
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