Reminder: The entire player database is available to be picked up for this weekend’s FAAB, not just players on a 26-man roster. Anyone listed may be added to your team.
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Mauricio Dubon Mauricio Dubon Out of lineup again Friday
Fri, Mar 28, 2025, 2:54 PM
Dubon is not in the lineup for Friday's tilt against the Mets, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports.
Analysis: All signs had pointed to Dubon opening the season as the Astros' starting second baseman, but he's now been on the bench in favor of Brendan Rodgers for each of the first two games. Dubon should still play plenty in a utility role, but it's clear that Rodgers is higher than him in the second base pecking order right now. |
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Christian Walker Christian Walker First hit for Houston
Fri, Mar 28, 2025, 8:30 AM
Walker went 1-for-4 with a run scored in Thursday's game against the Mets.
Analysis: Walker dealt with an oblique issue for most of spring training, but he was able to return for Opening Day. He was slotted into the cleanup spot and delivered a one-out single in the third inning to continue a key rally for the Astros. Walker should be a threat for 30 home runs while putting up strong counting stats in his first season in Houston. |
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Framber Valdez Framber Valdez Seven shutout frames on Opening Day
Thu, Mar 27, 2025, 6:10 PM
Valdez (1-0) picked up the win Thursday against the Mets, striking out four and giving up four hits and two walks across seven scoreless frames.
Analysis: Valdez got off to a rocky start by allowing one hit and one walk in the first frame, but he managed to escape unscathed and didn't face much resistance over the following six innings. The Astros' shutout was broken in the ninth inning when Josh Hader gave up a sacrifice fly to Francisco Lindor, but the southpaw reliever managed to punch out Juan Soto for the save to give Valdez the Opening Day victory. It's a strong start to the 2025 season for Valdez after posting career bests in 2024 in ERA (2.91) and WHIP (1.11) across 176.1 frames. He's tentatively slated to face off against the Giants at home next week. |
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Josh Hader Josh Hader Escapes with Opening Day save
Thu, Mar 27, 2025, 6:04 PM
Hader earned the save Thursday after giving up one run on two hits and one walk in the ninth inning to close out a 3-1 win against the Mets. He struck out two.
Analysis: Entering the ninth inning up three runs, Hader found himself in immediate trouble after giving up back-to-back singles before allowing a walk to load up the bases. He steadied himself by punching out Hayden Senger, and after giving up a sacrifice fly to Francisco Lindor, Hader managed to close things out by striking out Juan Soto. It took Hader 35 pitches to come away with the Opening Day save, which will affect his availability out of the bullpen Friday and Saturday. |
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J.P. France J.P. France Goes on 60-day injured list
Thu, Mar 27, 2025, 1:17 PM
The Astros placed France on the 60-day injured list Thursday due to his recovery from right shoulder surgery, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.
Analysis: It's a procedural move that frees up a spot on the 40-man roster. France is not expected back until after the All-Star break. |
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Forrest Whitley Forrest Whitley Placed on 15-day injured list
Thu, Mar 27, 2025, 1:15 PM
The Astros placed Whitley on the 15-day injured list Thursday with a left knee bone bruise, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.
Analysis: Whitley suffered the injury during an early-March Grapefruit League outing. He has continued throwing, but there's no indication as to when he might be ready to begin a rehab assignment. |
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Kaleb Ort Kaleb Ort Goes on 15-day IL
Thu, Mar 27, 2025, 1:13 PM
The Astros placed Ort on the 15-day injured list Thursday with a left oblique strain, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.
Analysis: Ort injured his oblique early on in spring training and has progressed slowly. He did begin throwing off a mound last week, but there's no word yet on when he might be ready for a rehab assignment. |
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Cristian Javier Cristian Javier IL move made official
Thu, Mar 27, 2025, 1:11 PM
The Astros placed Javier on the 15-day injured list Thursday due to recovery from right elbow UCL surgery, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.
Analysis: It's a procedural move, as Javier is not expected back until the second half of the season. He's a candidate to eventually shift to the 60-day IL if/when the Astros need to free a 40-man roster spot. |
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Luis Garcia Luis Garcia First opinion was 'decent news'
Thu, Mar 27, 2025, 1:09 PM
The Astros placed Garcia on the 15-day injured list Thursday with right elbow soreness, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.
Analysis: Manager Joe Espada said the team got "decent news" from the first opinion on Garcia's elbow, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports. However, the medical staff and Garcia are still awaiting the results of a second opinion before a decision is made on how to proceed. Garcia was pulled off his throwing program last week after experiencing soreness in his surgically repaired elbow. |
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Shawn Dubin Shawn Dubin Lands on injured list
Thu, Mar 27, 2025, 1:05 PM
The Astros placed Dubin on the 15-day injured list Thursday with right shoulder inflammation, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.
Analysis: Dubin missed the entirety of spring training with his shoulder issue. He's been throwing for most of this month, but there's no timetable for his return. |
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Taylor Trammell Taylor Trammell Lands on IL with calf strain
Thu, Mar 27, 2025, 1:04 PM
The Astros placed Trammell on the 10-day injured list Thursday with a right calf strain, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.
Analysis: Trammell was injured in late February and doesn't appear close to returning. He could be a candidate to eventually shift to the 60-day IL. |
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Pedro Leon Pedro Leon Goes on 10-day IL
Thu, Mar 27, 2025, 1:01 PM
The Astros placed Leon on the 10-day injured list Thursday with a Grade 1 left MCL strain, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.
Analysis: Leon suffered the injury in late February. He resumed workouts by mid-March and might be ready for a rehab assignment before long. |
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Cooper Hummel Cooper Hummel Designated for assignment
Thu, Mar 27, 2025, 1:00 PM
The Astros designated Hummel for assignment Thursday, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.
Analysis: The move frees up a spot on the 40-man roster. Hummel will now go through the waivers process and could draw interest from a team in need of a player with positional versatility. |
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Ryan Gusto Ryan Gusto Recalled from Triple-A
Thu, Mar 27, 2025, 12:58 PM
The Astros recalled Gusto from Triple-A Sugar Land on Thursday, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.
Analysis: Gusto had been optioned earlier this month but has ultimately been included as part of the Opening Day bullpen. He will offer length for manager Joe Espada. |
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Brendan Rodgers Brendan Rodgers Draws start at second base Thursday
Thu, Mar 27, 2025, 12:56 PM
The Astros selected Rodgers' contract from Triple-A Sugar Land on Thursday, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.
Analysis: Rodgers is in the starting lineup for Thursday's opener against the Mets, playing second base and batting eighth. Manager Joe Espada noted that Rodgers is not necessarily the starting second baseman, however, as Mauricio Dubon is also expected to see plenty of playing time there, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports. |
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Steven Okert Steven Okert Contract selected
Thu, Mar 27, 2025, 12:53 PM
The Astros selected Okert's contract from Triple-A Sugar Land on Thursday, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.
Analysis: Okert earned a bullpen spot with a stellar spring that saw him toss 10.2 scoreless innings with a 16.2 K:BB. He will be utilized in middle relief. |
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Rafael Montero Rafael Montero Added to roster
Thu, Mar 27, 2025, 12:47 PM
The Astros selected Montero's contract from Triple-A Sugar Land on Thursday, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.
Analysis: Montero was removed from the Astros' 40-man roster last season but has made his way back on. He will operate in middle relief. |
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Lance McCullers Jr. Lance McCullers Jr. Rehab start on tap
Thu, Mar 27, 2025, 12:08 PM
McCullers (forearm) will make a rehab start at Triple-A Sugar Land on Sunday, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports.
Analysis: Sunday will mark the first time McCullers has gotten into a regular-season game of any kind since 2022. He'll also likely require several more rehab outings as he gradually builds up to a starter's workload, but he should still be able to return to Houston at some point in the first half of the season. |
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Christian Walker Christian Walker Part of Opening Day lineup
Thu, Mar 27, 2025, 11:22 AM
Walker (oblique) will start at first base and bat cleanup in Thursday's season opener versus the Mets, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports.
Analysis: Walker didn't make any Grapefruit League appearances after March 2 due to left oblique soreness, but he resumed taking swings in batting practice nearly two weeks ago and was able to get in some competitive at-bats in minor-league games this past weekend. The first baseman also played the field in a simulated game Monday, clearing up most of the concern about his health heading into Opening Day. The Astros are counting on Walker providing some thump in the middle of the order after Houston traded away Kyle Tucker and let Alex Bregman walk in free agency this offseason. |
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Luis Garcia Luis Garcia Seeking second opinion
Tue, Mar 25, 2025, 11:07 PM
Garcia met with doctors Tuesday regarding his right elbow and will seek a second opinion, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports.
Analysis: Garcia was pulled off his throwing program Thursday after reporting soreness in his surgically repaired right elbow. There's still no telling after his first doctor visit how long it will be before he's ready to start up his rehab again, but it's usually not a great sign whenever a second opinion is sought after. More details should come once another doctor takes a look at Garcia. |
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