Astros vs. Venezuela 3/3/2026 Exhibition Game Thread

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SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA - SEPTEMBER 23: Pitcher Cristian Javier #53 of the Houston Astros exits the game against the Athletics in the bottom of the fifth inning at Sutter Health Park on September 23, 2025 in Sacramento, California. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images) | Getty Images

The Astros will host Team Venezuela for an exhibition this evening at CACTI Park of the Palm Beaches ahead of this year’s World Baseball Classic.

RHP Cristian Javier is set to make his Spring debut while Team Venezuela will start SEA RHP Eduard Bazardo, who’s been scoreless through two appearances (1.1 IP) this Spring.

Isaac Paredes will make his spring debut at first base.

Tonight will mark the Spring debut for RHP Cristian Javier. In his return from Tommy John surgery in 2025, Javier made eight starts, going 2-4 with a 4.62 ERA (19ER/37IP), 34 strikeouts and a .230 opponent average. In his career, Javier has held opponents to a .203 (397×1956) batting average. Among AL pitchers to toss 525.0-plus innings between the 202025 seasons, Javier ranks first in the AL in that category. He’s also helped author several notable moments in his career, starting a combined no-hitter in Game 4 of the 2022 World Series, as well as a combined no-hitter in June of that season at Yankee Stadium.

TODAY’S POTENTIAL RELIEVERS: RHP Sam Carlson, LHP Bryan King, RHP Michael Knorr, RHP Jayden Murray, RHP Ryan Weiss, LHP Tom Cosgrove and RHP Christian Roa.

ABOUT TEAM VENEZUELA: For the second straight World Baseball Classic, Team Venezuela will be managed by Astros bench coach Omar López. Team Venezuela advanced to the quarterfinals in the 2023 WBC prior to being eliminated by the United States in the quarterfinals. The Astros and Team Venezuela also met during Spring Training in 2023, with the Astros hanging on for a 9-8 win at CACTI Park of the Palm Beaches. Notable players on Team Venezuela include: LHP Eduardo Rodríguez, LHP Ranger Suárez, C Salvador Pérez, C William Contreras, IF Luis Arráez, IF Eugenio Suárez, IF Willson Contreras, IF Gleyber Torres, OF Jackson Chourio and OF Ronald Acuña Jr.

Game Info​

Game Date/Time: Tuesday, March 3, 5:05 p.m. CST

Location: CACTI Park of the Palm Beaches, West Palm Beach, FL.

TV: Space City Home Network

Streaming: SCHN+,

Radio: KBME 790 AM/94.5 FM HD-2

Taking on Team Venezuela.

️: 5:05pm CST | 6:05pm EST
: @SpaceCityHN | @MLBNetwork (HOU Blackout)
️: @SportsTalk790#ChaseTheFight x @PalmBeachesFLpic.twitter.com/Fd9oLro9a2

— Houston Astros (@astros) March 3, 2026

Joe Espada said he asked Omar López to keep his Team Venezuela starters in for a while and hopes to get Ryan Weiss and Bryan King into the game against the lineup after Cristian Javier. https://t.co/UnhBxtNpEr

— Matt Kawahara (@matthewkawahara) March 3, 2026

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