Framber Valdez wasn’t happy that right fielder Taylor Trammell was shifted halfway to center field instead of in right field on the play.

After blocking a trade to the Astros last offseason, Cardinals third baseman Nolan Arenado could have another chance to join the AL West leaders.

The Nationals had their first winning week in about two months. Now they are looking to win their third straight series in Houston. It is a different looking Astros team to the one we are used to due to injury but they are still a force in the AL West.

Michael Shapiro is a sports reporter for Chron, covering the Astros, Rockets, Texans and every team in town. Michael is a Denver native and graduate of the University of Texas at Austin, and a noted fan of pull-up threes, wide-receiver passes and a good hot fudge sundae.

The Houston Astros activated outfielder Jacob Melton from the injured list before Monday's game against the Washington Nationals. First baseman Jon Singleton was designated for assignment in a corresponding active roster move.

Four Houston pitchers -- starter Framber Valdez and relievers Bryan King, Bryan Abreu and Josh Hader -- combined for 19 strikeouts. However, the Astros managed only four hits in a 2-1 loss to the Nationals, their sixth consecutive home loss and fifth straight defeat overall.

Riley Adams hits a tiebreaking solo homer in the seventh inning, lifting the Washington Nationals to a 2-1 win over the Houston Astros

Although they were just swept at home against the A's, the Houston Astros sit atop the American League West with a 60-46 record. Reinforcements are coming.

The Astros announced Monday that McCullers (finger) has resumed playing catch, but he has yet to begin throwing off a mound, Matthew Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports.