The 30-year-old McCormick is slashing .318/.423/.364 on the season but has been limited to just 29 plate appearances, and the Astros have also said that Cam Smith will start taking fly balls in centerfield. As Rome points out, “The entire premise of carrying McCormick centered on his ability to back up Jake Meyers in center field and serve as a late-game defensive replacement for Smith or Altuve in the corners.” If the Astros don’t need McCormick as a late-game defensive replacement and Zach Dezenzo begins to show more offensive promise, there is little need for McCormick on the roster. Rome adds, “The act of exposing Smith to center field accentuates how far McCormick has fallen in the organizational hierarchy. That he has taken 19 plate appearances since April 3 — and sacrifice-bunted during two of them — further demonstrates his standing.”

It might be too little, too late for McCormick, since everyone wants either Cam Smith or Zach Dezenzo to take over the Astros’ right fielder. McCormick has walked 11 times this spring, but he’s batting .161 with two extra-base hits in 44 plate appearances.

With the trade of Kyle Tucker, McCormick has a real chance to start in the outfield for the Astros in 2025. The 29-year-old hit just .211/.271/.306 in 94 games in 2024 with five home runs and eight steals. The Astros should be looking for an upgrade, and McCormick should not be counted on in fantasy leagues outside of the deepest formats.

McCormick will get the start in center against left-hander Tyler Holton — and then the Detroit bullpen — in a must-win game for the Astros, so Jake Meyers retreats to the bench. Jason Heyward is also in the lineup, replacing Mauricio Dubon. The full lineup for the Astros: Jose Altuve 2B, Kyle Tucker RF, Yordan Alvarez DH, Alex Bregman 3B, Yanier Diaz C, Victor Caratini 1B, Jeremy Peña SS, Jayson Heyward LF, and McCormick in center.