WEST PALM BEACH, Fla — Nothing signals the start of a spring training schedule like a split-squad. The Houston Astros will open Grapefruit League play with one on Saturday morning, when one team will host the Washington Nationals at CACTI Park of the Palm Beaches and another will travel to Port St. Lucie to face the New York Mets.

Training began in earnest last week and the Astros have already played a few spring games in Florida. It's still incredibly early, but it's never to early to look at some of the big storylines for the ballclub this spring.

With spring training games now underway, here are five Houston Astros hitters and pitchers to watch during Grapefruit League games.

The Astros have more competition for roster spots this spring than in any season in the past decade. That’s not surprising news considering they have played in more postseason games (99) than any othe

A road game on day two of Grapefruit League play invites few lineup regulars and offers other players an opportunity. Houston Astros manager Joe Espada wrote out a lineup for Sunday’s trip to play the St.

For Houston Astros pitcher Ryan Gusto, last season was a dream and a disappontment all rolled into one. On Sept. 29, the Astros called him up from Triple-A Sugar Land. It was a reward for his best season as a pro player.