Astros Call Up Jacob Melton After Yordan Alvarez, Chas McCormick Injury News

The Houston Astros have gone back to the minor leagues for some left-handed hitting and outfield help.

Feb 26, 2024; Lakeland, Florida, USA; Houston Astros designated hitter Jacob Melton (76) bats during the third inning against the Detroit Tigers at Publix Field at Joker Marchant Stadium. | Mike Watters-Imagn Images

The Houston Astros have added another injection of young talent into their starting lineup.

The Astros announced on Sunday that they promoted outfielder Jacob Melton from Triple-A Sugar Land to the Majors. MLB.com's Brian McTaggart reported that Melton had arrived in Houston.

According to MLB Pipeline, Melton is the No. 2 prospect in Houston's farm system, behind only infielder Brice Matthews. At one time Melton was the organization's No. 1 prospect.

The Astros also moved infielder Zach Dezenzo to the injured list with left hand inflammation and pitcher Ronel Blanco to the 60-day IL, per The Athletic. Blanco will have surgery on his elbow, which will end his season.

Melton, a 24-year-old, 6-foot-3 left-handed hitter, was the No. 64 overall pick in the second round of the 2022 MLB draft out of Oregon State.

After splitting his 2024 campaign between Triple-A Suger Land and Double-A Corpus Christi, where he put up solid but unspectacular numbers at both levels, Melton earned the chance to go straight to Triple-A this year.

He started the season working through an injury. He's made just 17 appearances so far, but he has taken a clear step forward, posting a .254/.371/.508 slash line while hitting two home runs and stealing three bases.

The Astros have some availability in their outfield after Chas McCormick hit the 10-day injured list with a strained oblique.

Houston also has a need for left-handed hitting, as the current iteration of the lineup skews extremely right-handed with Yordan Alvarez sidelined and Kyle Tucker replaced by a pair of right-handed bats acquired in the trade with the Chicago Cubs.

Alvarez is now expected to be out longer after it was revealed on Saturday that he had a small fracture in his right hand.

Melton provides both an experienced outfielder and a left-handed bat to the mix, so the timing for the call-up makes perfect sense.

The Astros have been outscored 30-8 by the Tampa Bay Rays in the first three games of a four-contest weekend series that ends on Sunday.