Two of the Astros' biggest names will not be participating in the World Baseball Classic.

The Astros, in their long history, have never had a player hit four home runs in a game. Perhaps nobody has come closer, though, than Vinny Castilla, who slugged three homers on July 28, 2001, in the first game of a doubleheader at Pittsburgh.

The Houston Astros will be tested throughout May. How they handle the challenge will set the tone for the rest of the season.