All you need to know about Astros Spring Training

This story was excerpted from Brian McTaggart's Astros Beat newsletter. To read the full newsletter, click here. And subscribe to get it regularly in your inbox.

First-year Astros manager Joe Espada will hit the field with pitchers and catchers for the first workout of the spring on Wednesday in West Palm Beach, Fla., signaling the start of Spring Training.

As usual, there’s tons of optimism surrounding the Astros, who will be aiming to reach the American League Championship Series for an eighth consecutive season. The loaded Astros will be led by stars like Jose Altuve, Alex Bregman, Kyle Tucker, Justin Verlander and Josh Hader.

When is the first workout for pitchers and catchers?
Wednesday

What is the date of the first full-squad workout?
Monday

Where is the team’s facility?
CACTI Park of the Palm Beaches in West Palm Beach, Fla.

Can fans attend workouts?
Yes. Astros’ Spring Training workouts are open to the public at no charge. Gates open at 10 a.m. ET.

Who are some new faces fans should know?
The big addition is Hader, who signed a five-year, $95 million contract last month to anchor Houston’s bullpen. The club also added Victor Caratini, a veteran switch-hitting catcher who will back up Yainer Diaz behind the plate. Last month, Houston traded for prospect Trey Cabbage, who hit .306/.379/.596 (.975 OPS) with 30 homers, 89 RBIs, 25 doubles and 32 stolen bases in 107 games with Triple-A Salt Lake in the hitter-friendly Pacific Coast League. The Astros also added a reliever -- right-hander Dylan Coleman -- in a trade with the Royals during the Winter Meetings.

Who are some of the top prospects invited to Major League camp?
Keep an eye on right-hander Spencer Arrighetti (the club's No. 3-ranked prospect by MLB Pipeline), infielder/outfielder Joey Loperfido (No. 6) and outfielder Kenedy Corona (No. 11).

Arrighetti was the Astros’ Pitcher of the Year in 2023 after he went 9-7 with a 4.40 ERA in 28 games, including 21 starts between Double-A Corpus Christi and Triple-A Sugar Land. Loperfido was the team’s Minor League Player of the Year after he hit .278 with 79 runs, 27 doubles, three triples, 25 home runs, 78 RBIs, 65 walks, 27 stolen bases and a .880 OPS in 124 games between High-A Asheville, Corpus Christi and Sugar Land last season.

Corona, a versatile outfielder, played all but six games last season at Corpus Christi, where he slashed .244/.324/.449 with 20 homers, 61 RBIs and 31 stolen bases, making him a power and speed threat. Corona also earned a 2023 Minor League Gold Glove Award for his defense in the outfield, while playing primarily center field.

When is the Astros’ first Grapefruit League game?
Feb. 24 vs. the Nationals at CACTI Park of the Palm Beaches, which serves at both teams' home base during Spring Training.

What are a few other notable spring games?
In addition to seven games against the Nationals, the Astros will play home and away against the Tigers and the Phillies. Houston travels to Lakeland, Fla., to face the Tigers on Feb. 26, with Detroit coming to West Palm Beach on March 11. The Astros play the Phillies in Clearwater, Fla., on March 8 and will play host to the Phillies a week later, March 15. The Astros play the Mets in Port St. Lucie on Feb. 25 (split squad), March 3, March 13 and March 23, while the Mets come to West Palm Beach on Feb. 29, March 6 and March 16.

What is Spring Breakout and when is the game?
In December, MLB announced a four-day event called Spring Breakout in which each club will field a team of its top prospects in an exhibition game against another club’s top prospects while also creating in-park fan engagement opportunities centered around its up-and-coming players.

All 30 MLB clubs will assemble rosters filled with 20-25 of their best prospects to take on top Minor League or rookie talents from other organizations. Each team will play at least one seven-inning exhibition game as part of the initiative.

The Astros will participate in the event on March 17 in Jupiter, Fla., when they play the Cardinals’ prospects at Roger Dean Stadium. First pitch is set for 9:05 a.m. CT, and the game will be followed by a regular Grapefruit League contest between Houston and St. Louis at 12:05 p.m. Some of Houston’s top prospects, including Arrighetti, Jacob Melton (the Astros' No. 1 overall prospect), Luis Baez (No. 2), Brice Matthews (No. 4) and Zach Dezenzo (No. 5), could take the field together that day.

Will the team’s games be televised?
Yes. Space City Home Network will carry 12 exhibition games live this spring: Feb. 24 at Washington, Feb. 25 vs. St. Louis, Feb. 27 vs. Washington, March 5 vs. Miami, March 6 vs. New York Mets, March 9 vs. Washington, March 11 vs. Detroit, March 15 vs. Philadelphia, March 18 vs. Washington, March 22 at Washington, March 24 vs. St. Louis and March 26 vs. Triple-A Sugar Land at Minute Maid Park.

When is the club’s last game in Florida?
March 24 vs. St. Louis in West Palm Beach

Will there be any additional exhibitions before the regular season?
Yes, the Astros will play their Triple-A affiliate Sugar Land Space Cowboys at Minute Maid Park on March 25 and 26. First pitch for both games is set for 7:10 p.m. CT.

What are the details for Opening Day?
Houston opens its season at home on March 28, when the Astros will host the Yankees starting at 3:10 p.m. CT at Minute Maid Park.