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Nick Allen Nick Allen Dealt to Houston
Wed, Nov 19, 2025, 8:23 PM
Atlanta traded Allen to the Astros on Wednesday in exchange for Mauricio Dubon.
Analysis: Allen's strong defensive capabilities at shortstop allowed him to appear in 135 games in 2025, though he finished the year with just a .535 OPS over 416 plate appearances. Now that he's moving to Houston, where Jeremy Pena is expected to start regularly at shortstop, Allen's playing time and already poor offensive production will likely diminish. |
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Anthony Maldonado Anthony Maldonado Latches on with Houston
Wed, Nov 19, 2025, 10:34 AM
The Astros signed Maldonado to a minor-league contract Nov. 14.
Analysis: Maldonado holds a 7.20 ERA and 18:12 K:BB over 25 innings across parts of two big-league seasons. The 27-year-old will give the Astros some experienced bullpen depth at Triple-A Sugar Land. |
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Ramon Urias Ramon Urias Booted off 40-man roster
Tue, Nov 18, 2025, 3:57 PM
The Astros designated Urias for assignment Tuesday.
Analysis: The transaction frees up a spot on the 40-man roster for the addition of Miguel Ullola. Urias is projected to make more than $4 million in his final year of arbitration eligibility, which the Astros felt was too much. The 31-year-old is a career .257/.321/.403 hitter and capable defender at second and third base, so he shouldn't have difficult landing a major-league contract this winter, assuming he clears waivers and becomes a free agent. |
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Jose Altuve Jose Altuve Undergoes minor procedure
Mon, Nov 17, 2025, 7:30 PM
Altuve underwent a procedure to remove fluid between the fourth and fifth toes on his right foot Monday, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.
Analysis: Altuve played through the issue for the final few weeks of the regular season after suffering the injury Sept. 13 against Atlanta. McTaggart described the procedure as a minor skin aspiration, and the expectation is that the 35-year-old will be ready for the start of spring training. |
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Isaac Paredes Isaac Paredes Still not over hamstring tear
Mon, Nov 17, 2025, 8:50 AM
Astros general manager Dana Brown said during last week's general managers' meetings that Paredes was about 65 percent recovered from his right hamstring injury, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.
Analysis: Brown added that he's hopeful Paredes will be 80-to-90 percent recovered by spring training and potentially be ready to go by Opening Day. Paredes missed two months due to a right hamstring tear suffered in mid-July before making a late-season return, though he was limited to designated hitter duty and severely compromised as a baserunner. The 26-year-old will continue to rehab the injury and it sounds like he'll be slow-played at the start of spring training. |
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Spencer Arrighetti Spencer Arrighetti Expected to be ready for spring
Mon, Nov 17, 2025, 8:15 AM
Arrighetti (elbow) is expected to be 100 percent for the beginning of spring training, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports.
Analysis: Arrighetti missed the final month of the season with a right elbow injury, but he's considered healthy now and is "having a very productive offseason," per Astros general manager Dana Brown. The 25-year-old was limited to only seven starts at the major-league level in 2025, as he was sidelined four months with a right thumb fracture in addition to the elbow issue. Brown indicated that Arrighetti has a rotation spot for 2026 locked up. |
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Cam Smith Cam Smith Not guaranteed roster spot
Thu, Nov 13, 2025, 10:48 AM
Astros general manager Dana Brown said Wednesday that Smith could begin next season at Triple-A Sugar Land "if he hasn't turned the corner," Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.
Analysis: Brown remains high on Smith's potential, saying he "could be a star one day," but added that "we're going to need him to be more consistent." Smith forced his way onto the Astros' Opening Day roster with a huge showing in spring training, but he went on to slash just .236/.312/.358 with nine home runs and a 27.8 percent strikeout rate across 134 contests. The rookie started only six of the Astros' final 20 games, including just two of their final 16 tilts versus right-handed pitching. Smith did play a surprisingly solid right field, a position he had never manned before. Slated to turn 23 in February, Smith should enter spring training with a chance to win a starting job, but some seasoning in the minors might not be the worst thing for him and the Astros. The 2024 first-round pick has logged just 32 games and 134 plate appearances at the minor-league level. |
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Yordan Alvarez Yordan Alvarez Resumes jogging
Wed, Nov 12, 2025, 5:04 PM
General manager Dana Brown said Wednesday that Alvarez (ankle) has begun jogging at roughly 70 percent intensity, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.
Analysis: Alvarez suffered a severe left ankle sprain during the final weeks of the regular season. Brown's comments indicate that the 28-year-old is coming along nicely in his recovery, and the GM added that he expects Alvarez to be ready to go by the start of spring training. The righty-hitting slugger also missed significant time in 2025 due to a fracture in his right hand and finished the season with just a .797 OPS across 199 plate appearances. |
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Josh Hader Josh Hader Throwing off mound
Wed, Nov 12, 2025, 4:56 PM
General manager Dana Brown said Wednesday that Hader (shoulder) has thrown off a mound three times, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.
Analysis: Hader's season ended in mid-August after he suffered a left shoulder strain, but he appears to be making significant progress in his recovery. The Astros have yet to establish a return timeline for the lefty closer, however, so his availability for the start of spring training remains unknown. |
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Kenedy Corona Kenedy Corona Clears waivers
Thu, Nov 6, 2025, 9:36 PM
Corona was outrighted to Triple-A Sugar Land on Thursday, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.
Analysis: Corona was placed on waivers Tuesday and went unclaimed. He's eligible to become a free agent, but could also stick around as organizational depth. |
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Brandon Walter Brandon Walter Added back to 40-man roster
Thu, Nov 6, 2025, 9:25 PM
Walter (elbow) was activated from the 60-day injured list Thursday, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.
Analysis: This move is procedural as the Astros set their 40-man roster for the offseason. Walter is recovering from Tommy John surgery and will miss the entire 2026 season. |
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Hayden Wesneski Hayden Wesneski Shifts off injured list
Thu, Nov 6, 2025, 9:09 PM
Wesneski (elbow) was activated from the injured list Thursday, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.
Analysis: This move was procedural as the Astros got their 40-man roster in order. Wesneski will be sidelined until at least the middle of the 2026 season while recovering from Tommy John surgery. |
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Zach Dezenzo Zach Dezenzo Back from IL
Thu, Nov 6, 2025, 8:42 PM
Dezenzo (elbow/hand) was activated from the injured list Thursday, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.
Analysis: Dezenzo was on a rehab assignment when the season ended, so he'll presumably be healthy for spring training. He'll likely compete for a bench role to begin 2026. |
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Ronel Blanco Ronel Blanco Removed from injured list
Thu, Nov 6, 2025, 8:25 PM
Blanco (elbow) was activated from the injured list Thursday, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.
Analysis: This move was strictly procedural, as Blanco is recovering from internal brace surgery. He is expected to miss most of the 2026 season. |
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Kaleb Ort Kaleb Ort Activated from IL
Thu, Nov 6, 2025, 8:21 PM
Ort (elbow) was activated from the 60-day injured list Thursday, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.
Analysis: Ort was sidelined for the final month of the regular season with elbow inflammation. He'll presumably be ready to start spring training on the mound, though there hasn't been any official timeline from the team. |
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Pedro Leon Pedro Leon Waived by Astros
Tue, Nov 4, 2025, 5:17 PM
The Astros placed Leon (knee) on outright waivers Tuesday, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.
Analysis: Leon spent all of 2025 on the injured list while battling knee problems, though he managed to slash .241/.312/.422 over 94 Triple-A plate appearances across multiple rehab assignments. He may be fully healthy by the time the 2026 season starts, but he will most likely remain in the minor leagues as organizational depth. |
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Luis Garcia Luis Garcia Placed on outright waivers
Tue, Nov 4, 2025, 5:10 PM
The Astros placed Garcia (elbow) on outright waivers Tuesday, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.
Analysis: Garcia has already been ruled out for the entire 2026 campaign -- his final year of team control -- after undergoing surgery to repair the UCL and flexor tendon in his right elbow in October. Having pitched just 34.2 innings over the past three seasons, the injury-prone right-hander is unlikely to be claimed by another club. |
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Kenedy Corona Kenedy Corona Waived by Houston
Tue, Nov 4, 2025, 5:00 PM
The Astros placed Corona on outright waivers Tuesday, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.
Analysis: Corona spent the vast majority of his time at Triple-A Sugar Land in 2025, where he finished the season with a .220/.308/.326 slash line through 433 plate appearances. If he clears waivers, he will most likely return to Sugar Land and begin the 2026 season as organizational outfield depth. |
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John Rooney John Rooney Placed on waivers
Tue, Nov 4, 2025, 4:53 PM
The Astros placed Rooney (elbow) on outright waivers Tuesday, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.
Analysis: Rooney made his MLB debut in 2025, giving up one run and striking out two batters over 1.1 innings against the Orioles on Aug. 24. All of his other appearances came in Triple-A, where he finished the season with a 2.56 ERA and 1.19 WHIP through 38.2 frames. His year was cut short in September by elbow surgery, and it remains unknown whether he'll be ready for the start of the 2026 campaign. |
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Chas McCormick Chas McCormick Waived by Astros
Tue, Nov 4, 2025, 4:45 PM
The Astros placed McCormick on outright waivers Tuesday, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.
Analysis: McCormick was one of five players waived by Houston on Tuesday in an effort to free up roster space heading into the offseason. If he passes through waivers unclaimed, the 30-year-old outfielder will have the option to reject his assignment and become a free agent. After posting a .786 OPS through his first three seasons in the majors, McCormick has regressed considerably at the plate, slashing just .211/273/.301 across 383 plate appearances since 2024. |
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