The Astros can’t afford to lose Walker, who signed a three-year, $60 million contract in December. The three-time Gold Glove winner averaged 32 home runs, 94 RBI, and a .813 OPS for the Arizona Diamondbacks the last three years.

Jose Altuve could play “a majority” of his games in left field this year, Houston Astros manager Joe Espada said Monday, offering perhaps the clearest confirmation yet that the Astros are weighing a true position change for their franchise player.