Aoki is out of the lineup Monday against the Mariners, Jake Kaplan of the Houston Chronicle reports.

EDGE Analysis

The Mariners will bring southpaw James Paxton to the hill Monday and will follow with another left-hander in Ariel Miranda on Tuesday, so it's expected that the lefty-hitting Aoki will remain out of the lineup for at least the first two games of the series. Marwin Gonzalez will replace Aoki in left field in the series opener.

Aoki is out of the lineup Wednesday against the Mariners, Bob Dutton of the Tacoma News Tribune reports.

EDGE Analysis

Though Aoki received the starting nod in left field on Opening Day, the Astros' ample depth will likely result in the veteran having to settle for a part-time role this season. After Evan Gattis replaced him in the lineup Tuesday, Jake Marisnick will join the outfield in place of Aoki on Wednesday. Since the Astros are due to face a left-handed starter in Ariel Miranda during the series finale Thursday, it wouldn't be surprising if Aoki remained on the bench for that game as well.

Aoki is not in the lineup Tuesday against the Mariners, Jake Kaplan of the Houston Chronicle reports.

EDGE Analysis

Aoki landed the start on Opening Day, but he'll head to the bench for a day off despite right-hander Hisashi Iwakuma taking the ball for Seattle. Carlos Beltran will slide over to left field to fill his void while Evan Gattis takes a turn as the designated hitter.

Aoki started in left field and went 1-for-3 in Houston's 3-0 Opening Day win over Seattle on Monday.

EDGE Analysis

Aoki is expected to sit most of the time when Houston's scheduled to face a left-hander, but with right-hander Felix Hernandez on the mound, Aoki got the start. If this pattern continues, the 35-year-old could get close to 120 games played, similar to his playing time in 2016.

Aoki is expected to play only against right-handers, Jake Kaplan of the Houston Chronicle reports.

EDGE Analysis

Aoki wasn't very good against left-handers in 2016, hitting just .227 off of them, but that looks like the outlier. Over five MLB seasons, he's a career .308-hitter against southpaws. The plan is to give Carlos Beltran between 30 and 40 starts in the field, allowing manager A.J. Hinch to be flexible in his use of the designated hitter.

Aoki played in the Astros' first two spring-training games and now departs camp to participate at the World Baseball Classic for Team Japan, Jake Kaplan of the Houston Chronicle reports.

EDGE Analysis

Aoki was given ample playing time over the weekend, batting leadoff and playing center field, neither of which he's expected to do for Houston once the regular season hits. He'll play center field for Japan, but for the Astros, Aoki will be a platoon left fielder and bat ninth when everyone is healthy.

Aoki agreed to a one-year, $5.5 million contract with the Astros on Wednesday, avoiding arbitration, Jake Kaplan of the Houston Chronicle reports.

EDGE Analysis

The Josh Reddick signing last week clouded Aoki's future with the organization a bit, with some speculating that he could be non-tendered, but the 34-year-old is staying put. A waiver acquisition earlier this month, Aoki hit .283/.349/.388 in 118 games with the Mariners this past season, striking out just 45 times in 417 plate appearances. As a high-contact lefty, Aoki could see regular time on the favorable end of a left-field platoon.

Aoki was claimed off waivers by the Astros on Thursday, Shannon Drayer of ESPN Radio reports.

EDGE Analysis

Aoki batted a solid .283 in 2016, but his ability to hit lefties completely disappeared over the course of the season. That being said, the 34-year-old is an outstanding contact hitter, which could bode well for him to garner a spot in the outfield for a strikeout-happy Astros squad.

Aoki is out of Sunday's lineup against the A's, Greg Johns of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Aoki has been putting on a show in recent outings. Over the last six games, he's gone 10-for-22 (.455) with three doubles and a home run. However, he'll be replaced by Ben Gamel in left field Sunday afternoon.

Aoki had two hits Friday, including a home run, as the Mariners kept their playoff hopes alive with a win against the A's.

EDGE Analysis

After a miserable first half, Aoki salvaged his season with a strong second half, particularly in September. In his last 18 games, he's hitting .375 (24 for 64) with six doubles, three homers and 11 RBI. He went to Triple-A at the end August because of a roster-construction issue, but has swung the bat well since coming back from his first trip to Triple-A on July 20. In that span, he's hitting .337/.386/.497 in 50 games. Almost all of that production has come off right-handers (.329/.372/.500), though he has seven hits in 17 at-bats against lefties in that span.