McCormick logged a scoreless inning on the mound in a bullpen-heavy night, underscoring Houston’s stretched relief corps. He also contributed as an outfielder, though the offense remained mostly dormant. His unusual dual role highlights the depth and stress of the Astros’ bullpen in a challenging stretch.

McCormick pitched the ninth in the lopsided loss, a quirky note that signals Houston’s willingness to test bullpen depth in blowouts. His role in this game underscores the unpredictability of late-inning tasks and how even outfielders can be mixed into unusual duties in drastic scorelines.

McCormick’s ninth-inning appearance showcased a rare bullpen-utilization angle and a disciplined performance from a role-specific arm. In fantasy terms, his value is situational, limited to holds in leagues that count late-inning appearances, but it highlights the Astros’ willingness to diversify pitching roles.

McCormick ended a long home-run drought with a 393-foot shot off Crochet, signaling a potential comeback after injury-marred 2024. He could anchor a lefty-platoon in center with growing power against left-handed pitching and solid defense, highlighted by a 408-foot catch that saved a run.

Chas McCormick joined Astros’ autograph session, mingling with Yankees legends amid Old-Timers’ Day, illustrating the cross-pollination of history and contemporary play that shapes a player’s growth trajectory.