Chandler Rome

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Amid the most miserable inning in a month full of them, the Astros made an announcement.

Attempts to hide José Abreu 's decline are impossible, but Joe Espada still attempted it Wednesday.

Altuve's production is almost expected, but his panicless demeanor is perhaps more appreciated during this dreadful April. Altuve has been the lone constant in Houston's otherwise chaotic start, a stabilizing force still awaiting help from his supporting cast.

Nine earned runs and 11 hits across seven innings isn’t much to celebrate, but Arrighetti has shown Houston what he could become.

HOUSTON — Forrest Whitley 's wait is over. The Astros are promoting Whitley to the major-league roster, two sources told The Athletic on

HOUSTON — Alex Bregman is the closest thing his clubhouse has to a spokesman, so reporters encircled his locker on Wednesday after another loss in a month full of them.

Javier will be the sixth Houston starter to spend time on the IL this season and joins four projected members of the team's rotation currently sidelined.

Losing 7-2 at Wrigley Field on Tuesday turned Houston into the 159th team since 1901 to drop 17 of its first 24 regular-season games.

“I would like production out of that position. Whichever way we can get that, we are going to do that,” manager Joe Espada said.

Bregman is no stranger to slow starts, but his early numbers are more noticeable with the Astros winning just seven of their first 26 games.