The Houston Astros are heading into spring with a red flag already waving behind the plate. Manager Joe Espada offered several injury updates this week, but the most eye-catching-and potentially roster-shaking-news was about starting catcher Yainer Diaz.

Diaz sprained his left foot while playing winter ball back in December. While he’s still involved in baseball activities, his running progression is behind schedule, which is no small concern for a position that demands mobility and durability.

Here’s the thing: catcher is the one spot on Houston’s roster where they have the least margin for error. The Astros didn’t add another backstop this offseason, despite General Manager Dana Brown openly stating that it was a priority.

That’s looking like a costly miss now. Victor Caratini, a potential target, signed with the Twins.

That leaves Cesar Salazar as the only healthy catcher currently on the Astros’ 40-man roster.

Let that sink in for a second: one healthy catcher, and it’s not the starter.

Houston had opportunities. Andrew Knizner, James McCann, Jonah Heim-all reasonable backup options-were available.

None signed for more than $3 million. Yet the Astros stood pat.

Now, with Diaz’s status uncertain, Brown is in a bind. He can either swing a trade-something that’s rarely easy this late in the offseason-or dip into the remaining free agent pool, which is thin at best.

The top name still on the board? Mitch Garver.

But Garver is more bat than glove at this point in his career. He suited up for just 43 games behind the plate last season with the Mariners, spending most of his time as a designated hitter.

He’s not the ideal fit for a team that needs someone who can handle a full catching workload if Diaz isn’t ready.

Christian Vázquez is another name that keeps popping up. He’s been linked to Houston throughout the offseason, and there’s familiarity there from his previous stint with the team. But after a tough year in Minnesota, the 35-year-old is probably looking at a minor-league deal with a spring training invite-unless a team like Houston, in need of immediate help, is willing to offer a guaranteed big-league contract.

Then there’s Elias Díaz, a former All-Star who spent last season with the Padres. He struggled at the plate, slashing just .204 with a 74 wRC+, and missed the postseason with an oblique injury.

That’s likely why he’s still unsigned, but he’s reportedly healthy now and is expected to catch Tatsuya Imai’s bullpen session today. That’s a positive sign, but there’s still risk involved.

The Astros are hoping Yainer Diaz is ready to go by Opening Day. But hope isn’t a strategy, especially when it comes to a position as critical as catcher.

Whether it’s Garver, Vázquez, Díaz, or someone else, Houston needs to bring in a veteran insurance policy-and soon. Because if Diaz suffers a setback, this team can’t afford to be caught without a reliable option behind the plate.