Owner Jim Crane commented that Smith “could make the ballclub this year at some point." That point could come sooner than expected.

Astros manager Joe Espada said Friday that an MRI on Walker's left oblique did not show a "strain or anything that we are concerned about," Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports. The Astros are still referring to the injury simply as left oblique soreness,

The Houston Astros have been dealing with some injury concerns this spring, including infielder Christian Walker.

The Astros big offseason acquisition Christian Walker was forced to sit out a spring training game Wednesday due to an oblique strain.

The Astros received some good news on first baseman Christian Walker, as an MRI on his sore left oblique showed no strain, according to manager Joe Espada on Friday. Espada added that Walker feels "really good" and will head back to West Palm Beach,

Here are three things we’ll be watching for around baseball today: Christian Walker was removed from the Astros’ spring training matchup against the Cardinals on Wednesday with soreness in his left oblique (per Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle ).

Despite the new first baseman's optimism about his injury, Houston is sending him home for more medical tests.

Houston Astros first baseman Christian Walker received some good news regarding ... Houston to get the oblique examined. Astros manager Joe Espada told reporters Friday the MRI didn’t reveal ...