Yainer Diaz was already a bit of a question mark coming out of the 2025 season. The Houston Astros' catcher was thought to be a budding young star behind the plate, but the defense was lacking and his offensive prowess took a bit of a step back last season. For some, parting ways with Diaz based on those merits alone could be in the cards.
Diaz's place on the Astros' roster has appeared to be safe, for now. But after the arbitration filing deadline came and went without an agreement for Diaz, the impending trip to the hearing could start Houston down a path that leans heavily on catching prospect Walker Janek.