Houston Astros

Walker has been bumped from the cleanup spot for the first time this season after a brutal 19-game start where he’s batted .159 (11-for-69) with one homer and two RBI. He’s struck out a staggering 29 percent of the time in 79 plate appearances during that span. It’s too small of a sample size to draw any firm conclusions, but the Astros are going to make an effort to help him turn things around.

Whitley is a long ways removed from being one of the most exciting pitching prospects in baseball, but he’s still in a position to help Houston’s injury-depleted pitching mix. The 27-year-old missed the first three-plus weeks of the season recovering from a left knee issue. He’ll be available out of the bullpen for Saturday’s battle against the Padres out in San Diego.

Hernandez heads back to the minors to clear space with former top prospect Forrest Whitley coming off the injured list. The 30-year-old righty didn’t make an appearance for the Astros after being called up earlier this week.