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AJ Blubaugh AJ Blubaugh Drawing Game 1 start
Mon, Sep 28, 2026, 4:36 PM
Blubaugh will start for the Astros on Tuesday in Game 1 of the American League Wild Card Series versus the White Sox, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.
Analysis: Blubaugh is capable of covering multiple innings, but it will be a bullpen game for the Astros. The right-hander made 64 appearances for Houston this season in a relief role, collecting a 3.66 ERA and 94:42 K:BB over 96 frames. Hunter Brown will get the ball on normal rest for the Astros in Game 2 on Wednesday. |
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Mike Burrows Mike Burrows Option for playoff roster
Mon, Sep 28, 2026, 4:11 PM
Burrows (elbow/shoulder) is considered healthy and could be included on the Astros' wild-card series roster versus the White Sox, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.
Analysis: Burrows initially landed on the injured list in mid-July with right elbow inflammation, and he later came down with shoulder inflammation. The right-hander has since recovered from those injuries, and Houston is mulling the possibility of adding Burrows to its postseason roster. Burrows has logged an ugly 5.99 ERA and 75:35 K:BB over 94.2 innings in the majors this season and has made only one game appearance over the past month, which gives you an idea as to the state of the Astros' pitching staff that they're considering adding him to the mix. |
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Steven Okert Steven Okert Could return for wild-card round
Mon, Sep 28, 2026, 4:03 PM
Okert (hamstring) threw a bullpen session Monday and could be included on the Astros' wild-card series roster against the White Sox, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.
Analysis: Okert has been shelved since early September with a right hamstring strain, but it sounds like the Astros could get one of their better relievers back in time for the playoffs. The left-hander has logged a 2.13 ERA, 0.87 WHIP and 68:14 K:BB over 67.2 innings this season. |
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Jason Alexander Jason Alexander Clears waivers
Mon, Sep 28, 2026, 11:02 AM
The Astros outrighted Alexander to Triple-A Sugar Land on Sunday.
Analysis: Alexander passed through waivers unclaimed after being removed from the 40-man roster. The 33-year-old has been outrighted previously, so he has the ability to decline the assignment and become a free agent. Alexander posted a 9.33 ERA and 1.58 WHIP in 18.1 innings with Houston in 2026. |
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Ethan Pecko Ethan Pecko Earns win in division clincher
Sun, Sep 27, 2026, 5:34 PM
Pecko (2-0) earned the win Sunday over the A's, allowing just one hit and no walks over three scoreless innings. He struck out three.
Analysis: Pecko handled bulk duties Sunday after Peter Lambert went the first two innings. The rookie right-hander was sharp, holding the A's to a lone single across three scoreless frames as the Astros' cruised to a 9-0 victory to clinch the AL West title. Pecko was effective overall as a swingman for Houston after making his debut in August. He'll finish the regular season with a 3.93 ERA, 1.14 WHIP and 23:14 K:BB over 34.1 innings. |
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Peter Lambert Peter Lambert Goes two innings Sunday
Sun, Sep 27, 2026, 5:29 PM
Lambert did not factor into the decision Sunday against the A's, allowing two hits and no walks across two scoreless innings. He struck out one.
Analysis: After going just 2.2 innings in his last start Thursday, Lambert essentially served as the opener in Sunday's regular-season finale, as he delivered threw 41 pitches across two scoreless frames. The 29-year-old Lambert established himself as a mainstay in Houston's rotation this year, going 8-10 with a 3.82 ERA, 1.25 WHIP and 154 strikeouts across 29 starts (155.2 innings). There's a good chance Lambert gets the call again at some point during the Wild Card Series, where Houston will host the White Sox. |
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Christian Walker Christian Walker Launches 29th homer in finale
Sun, Sep 27, 2026, 5:22 PM
Walker went 2-for-3 with a solo home run, two walks and two additional runs scored in Sunday's 9-0 win over the A's.
Analysis: Walker extended Houston's lead to 5-0 in the sixth inning with a solo shot off Scott Blewett, his 29th homer this year. Walker will head into the postseason on a hot streak, going 8-for-23 (.348) with four homers in his last six games. Overall, Walker slashed .226/.299/.427 across 635 regular-season plate appearances with 87 RBI and 73 runs scored. |
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Ronel Blanco Ronel Blanco Optioned by Houston
Sun, Sep 27, 2026, 1:28 PM
The Astros optioned Blanco to the minors Sunday.
Analysis: The move corresponds with Raynel Delgado being recalled from Triple-A Sugar Land, and he will provide the Astros with depth in the infield for Sunday's regular-season finale. Blanco will end the regular season with a 6.68 ERA and 1.37 WHIP across 33.2 innings. |
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Raynel Delgado Raynel Delgado Called up by Houston
Sun, Sep 27, 2026, 1:27 PM
The Astros recalled Delgado from Triple-A Sugar Land on Sunday, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports.
Analysis: Delgado will give the Astros some extra depth in the infield for Sunday's regular-season finale. He's appeared in 19 games for the Astros this season, going 9-for-37 (.243) with one home run and four RBI in the majors. Ronel Blanco was optioned to the minors in a corresponding move. |
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Peter Lambert Peter Lambert Starting on short rest in finale
Sun, Sep 27, 2026, 9:18 AM
Lambert will start Sunday's game against the Athletics in Sacramento, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.
Analysis: Lambert was believed to have made his final appearance of the regular season during his 2.2-inning start in Thursday's series opener, but since the Astros have yet to punch their ticket to the postseason, he'll end up getting the ball on two days' rest in Game 162. The Astros will clinch the AL West title with a win or a Rangers loss, so the team is expected to make all of its top pitchers available for Sunday's contest. Given that he's pitching on short rest, Lambert is unlikely to work deep enough into the game to qualify for a win. |
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Hunter Brown Hunter Brown Takes tough loss Friday
Sat, Sep 26, 2026, 9:01 AM
Brown (6-4) took the loss Friday against the A's after allowing two runs (one earned) on two hits and four walks while striking out four over 5.1 innings.
Analysis: Brown carried a 1-0 lead into the sixth inning, but a fielding error by Jose Altuve sparked the Athletics' comeback. Brown departed after a sacrifice bunt put runners at second and third with one out, and Bennett Sousa immediately surrendered a two-run single to Michael Stefanic, adding two runs to Brown's line. Brown otherwise held the Athletics to two hits, but his four walks raised his pitch count and kept him from working deeper into the game. Even though this outing didn't end as Brown or the Astros would've wanted, he ended the regular season on a strong note, allowing two earned runs or fewer in seven of his last eight starts, and just two over his last 15.1 frames. He posted a 3.19 ERA in 20 starts and 107.1 innings, marking his third straight regular season with an ERA below 3.50. |
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Jeremy Pena Jeremy Pena Back in starting lineup
Thu, Sep 24, 2026, 6:49 PM
Pena (wrist) is starting at shortstop and batting leadoff for Thursday night's matchup against the Athletics, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.
Analysis: Pena was unable to start Wednesday's contest against the Mariners as a result of wrist injury suffered after being hit by a pitch Tuesday night. The infielder was able to enter as a pinch runner and swipe a bag in Wednesday's extra-inning loss to Seattle, and he will now return to the lineup one day later. Pena is batting .367 with three home runs, four RBI, seven runs scored and two stolen bases over 30 at-bats since Sept. 15. |
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Jorge Barrosa Jorge Barrosa Back on active roster
Thu, Sep 24, 2026, 6:09 PM
The Astros selected Barrosa from Triple-A Sugar Land on Thursday.
Analysis: Barrosa is getting added to the Astros for outfield depth as Dalton Varsho (wrist) lands on the 10-day injured list. Additionally, the Astros designated Jason Alexander for assignment to create room for Barrosa on the active roster. |
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Jason Alexander Jason Alexander Designated for assignment
Thu, Sep 24, 2026, 6:03 PM
The Astros designated Alexander for assignment Thursday.
Analysis: Alexander will end up as the roster casualty necessary to make room for Jose Barrosa, who was selected to the active roster Thursday. Alexander has struggled mightily during his time in the majors, logging a 9.33 ERA and 1.58 WHIP in 18.1 innings, and he hasn't been very effective at Triple-A either (5.26 ERA, 1.49 WHIP, 87.1 IP). |
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Daulton Varsho Daulton Varsho Out for possible Wild Card series
Thu, Sep 24, 2026, 6:03 PM
The Astros placed Varsho on the 10-day injured list Thursday, retroactive to Wednesday, due to left wrist inflammation.
Analysis: Varsho will miss the AL Wild Card Series if the Astros win their division, but will be eligible to return for the ALDS. In a pair of corresponding moves, the Astros selected Jorge Barrosa from Triple-A Sugar Land and designated Jason Alexander for assignment. |
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Jeremy Pena Jeremy Pena Swipes bag as pinch runner
Thu, Sep 24, 2026, 6:21 AM
Pena (wrist) stole a base as a pinch runner in Wednesday's 6-5 extra-inning loss to the Mariners.
Analysis: Per Chandler Rome of The Athletic, Pena was only available to run the bases Wednesday after he was hit on the wrist by a pitch Tuesday. Pena would manage to steal a base, his 11th theft this season and his second in his last two games. It remains to be seen whether Pena will be available in an expanded capacity in Thursday's series opener against the A's. |
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Josh Hader Josh Hader Throws 44 pitches in loss
Thu, Sep 24, 2026, 6:15 AM
Hader (4-2) took the loss Wednesday against the Mariners, allowing two runs (one earned) on two hits and four walks across 1.1 innings.
Analysis: Hader managed to work around a single and a walk in the ninth inning to send the game to extras. However, it was a different story when he came back out for the 10th -- Hader would issue three walks in the frame, including one to Julio Rodriguez with the bases loaded that forced in the tying run, before Josh Naylor ended the contest with a walk-off single. Prior to Wednesday, Hader had given up just one run in his previous 26 innings, striking out 27 while walking just three in that span. The southpaw would need 44 pitches in the defeat, the most he's thrown in an outing since 2019, meaning he'll likely be unavailable for at least a couple days. |
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Yainer Diaz Yainer Diaz Homer, triple in loss
Thu, Sep 24, 2026, 2:04 AM
Diaz went 2-for-5 with a two-run home run and an RBI triple in Wednesday's 6-5 extra-inning loss to the Mariners.
Analysis: Diaz's homer came as part of the Astros' four-run third-inning. He also briefly put them ahead in the 10th, but the Mariners were able to battle back. Diaz has gotten hot late in the season, going 10-for-27 (.370) over his last seven games. On the year, he's batting .282 with a .772 OPS, 14 homers, 43 RBI, 36 runs scored, 14 doubles, one triple and no stolen bases over 94 contests. |
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Ethan Pecko Ethan Pecko Struggles as starter
Thu, Sep 24, 2026, 2:01 AM
Pecko allowed three runs on four hits and two walks while striking out two over 2.2 innings in a no-decision versus the Mariners on Wednesday.
Analysis: Pecko worked well as a bulk reliever in his two last appearances, but a return to a starting role didn't go so well. This was his shortest of seven outings (five starts) in the majors. He ends the regular season at a 4.31 ERA, 1.21 WHIP and 21:14 K:BB through 31.1 innings. It's unclear if Pecko has done enough to earn a spot on a postseason roster should the Astros make the playoffs, but he'd likely function as a reliever if that happens. |
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Daulton Varsho Daulton Varsho Sitting third straight
Wed, Sep 23, 2026, 7:50 PM
Varsho (wrist) isn't in the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Mariners, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.
Analysis: Varsho will miss a third consecutive start Wednesday as he continues to recover from a left wrist injury. The Astros recalled Lucas Spence from Triple-A to provide some insurance in the outfield while Varsho is hurt, and the former will start in center field, batting eighth. |
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