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Cristian Javier Cristian Javier Works out of bullpen Sunday
Mon, Jul 20, 2026, 8:55 AM
Javier struck out two and gave up a double over a scoreless inning of relief in Sunday's 5-2 loss to the Orioles.
Analysis: Javier made a three-inning start against the Rangers in the Astros' final game of the first half July 12, but he's moved back to the bullpen coming out of the All-Star break. Houston could hand Javier a starting role at some point later on this season, but the club won't have room for him for the foreseeable future with Ronel Blanco (elbow) set to fill the fifth spot in the rotation when he comes off the 60-day injured list Monday. |
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Kai-Wei Teng Kai-Wei Teng Works in long relief Sunday
Mon, Jul 20, 2026, 8:50 AM
Teng struck out three and allowed one hit and one walk across 2.1 innings of relief Sunday in the Astros' 5-2 loss to the Orioles.
Analysis: Before landing on the injured list July 1 due to a right knee sprain, Teng had started in each of his previous nine appearances with the Astros. However, with the Houston rotation having since reclaimed some health, Teng looks like he'll have to settle for a bullpen role while he's with the big club for the time being. Given that Teng tossed 46 pitches Sunday and likely won't be available in relief for at least the next couple of days, it wouldn't be surprising if the Astros optioned him to Triple-A Sugar Land to clear a spot on the active roster for Ronel Blanco (elbow), who will be activated from the 60-day IL to start Monday versus the Marlins. |
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Hunter Brown Hunter Brown Control issues continue in loss
Sun, Jul 19, 2026, 6:06 PM
Brown (1-1) took the loss against the Orioles on Sunday, allowing four runs on three hits and six walks with four strikeouts over 4.2 innings.
Analysis: Brown allowed runs in the third and fifth frames but struggled overall, throwing just 45 of 92 pitches for strikes while issuing a season-high six walks and hitting two batters. The 27-year-old has posted a 7.98 ERA while handing out 15 free passes compared to 13 hits through three July outings.. He owns a 4.05 ERA, 1.45 WHIP and 43:28 K:BB across 40 innings this season and will try to get back on track in a road matchup with the White Sox next weekend. |
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Bryan King Bryan King Optioned to Triple-A
Sun, Jul 19, 2026, 6:00 PM
King was optioned to Triple-A Sugar Land after Sunday's 5-2 loss to the Orioles, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports.
Analysis: King will head back down to the Triple-A level for the first time since 2024 after he surrendered a solo home run while striking out a batter over one inning Sunday. The southpaw has now combined to surrender eight runs on 10 hits, including five home runs, over five innings in his last four appearances with Houston, and his trip to Sugar Land will be an opportunity to hit the reset button. King still owns a strong 3.40 ERA and 1.31 WHIP with 35 strikeouts while converting six out of 10 save opportunities over 42 appearances with the Astros this season, and he will likely return to the major-league roster relatively soon. |
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Jose Altuve Jose Altuve Productive in loss
Sun, Jul 19, 2026, 5:57 PM
Altuve went 2-for-4 with a solo home run, a double and an additional run scored in Sunday's 5-2 loss to the Orioles.
Analysis: Altuve doubled and scored in the third inning before adding a solo shot in the eighth. It continued a recent power surge for the 36-year-old, who's gone deep four times in his past nine games while tallying a hit in seven contests during that stretch. On the season, he's slashing .235/.304/.409 with 12 homers, 28 RBI, 47 runs scored and two steals across 330 plate appearances. |
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Nate Pearson Nate Pearson Cast off 40-man roster
Sun, Jul 19, 2026, 11:43 AM
Houston designated Pearson for assignment on Sunday, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports.
Analysis: The 29-year-old will lose his spot on the 40-man roster after he turned in a 3.60 ERA, 1.40 WHIP and 16:12 K:BB in 20 innings while serving as a middle-relief option for Houston. The Astros called up infielder Raynel Delgado from Triple-A Sugar Land to take Pearson's spot on the 26-man active roster. |
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Raynel Delgado Raynel Delgado Back with Houston
Sun, Jul 19, 2026, 11:39 AM
The Astros recalled Delgado from Triple-A Sugar Land on Sunday, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.
Analysis: Delgado will make his way back up to the big-league club after a two-week stint in Triple-A. The 26-year-old is expected to serve as a utility infielder for Houston after producing a .267/.313/.400 batting line with one home and four RBI in his first 33 big-league plate appearances. |
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Ronel Blanco Ronel Blanco Coming off IL and starting Monday
Sun, Jul 19, 2026, 11:29 AM
Blanco (elbow) will be activated by Houston on Monday and start Monday's series opener against Miami, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports.
Analysis: Blanco will make his first start since undergoing Tommy John surgery on his torn UCL in June of 2025. The 32-year-old has been on a rehab assignment since mid-June and has continued to progress and build up his pitch count throughout. Blanco will make his first start Monday since May 18 of 2025. It has yet to be announced what moves the Astros will have to make to get the right-hander back on the 40-man and 26-man rosters. |
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Jeremy Pena Jeremy Pena Remaining on bench Sunday
Sun, Jul 19, 2026, 11:21 AM
Pena (hamstring) is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Orioles, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.
Analysis: Pena was pulled from Saturday's contest due to right hamstring cramps and will miss at least one start due to the injury. The veteran shortstop is still participating in baseball activities, per Rome, which could indicate that Pena will quickly rejoin the starting nine. Nick Allen is starting in his place and batting ninth Sunday. |
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Christian Walker Christian Walker Out of Sunday's lineup
Sun, Jul 19, 2026, 11:21 AM
Walker (hip) is absent from Sunday's lineup against Baltimore, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.
Analysis: After being removed early from Saturday's game due to right hip tightness, Walker will sit out of Sunday's series finale against Baltimore. Manager Joe Espada said that the 35-year-old is doing baseball activities and feeling better, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports. LaMonte Wade will play first base and bat cleanup for Houston on Sunday. |
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Spencer Arrighetti Spencer Arrighetti Strikes out six in no-decision
Sat, Jul 18, 2026, 7:15 PM
Arrighetti did not factor into the decision in Saturday's 4-2 extra-innings loss to the Orioles, allowing one run on one hit and four walks with six strikeouts over five innings.
Analysis: Arrighetti allowed only one hit and battled through control issues, limiting the damage despite throwing just 45 of 85 pitches for strikes. The 26-year-old has issued 16 walks with just a 55 percent strike rate over his past four outings, a stretch that includes two one-run performances and two eight-run blowups. He'll take a 4.34 ERA, 1.31 WHIP and 87:48 K:BB across 87 innings this season into a road matchup with the White Sox next weekend. |
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Christian Walker Christian Walker Dealing with hip tightness
Sat, Jul 18, 2026, 6:10 PM
Walker was removed from Saturday's game against the Orioles due to right hip tightness.
Analysis: Walker appeared to tweak his right hip on a swing during his plate appearance in the fourth inning. He'll undergo more tests to determine the severity of the injury, but if he were to miss extended time, then LaMonte Wade and Isaac Paredes would be in line to see more reps at first base. |
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Jeremy Pena Jeremy Pena Nursing hamstring cramps
Sat, Jul 18, 2026, 6:05 PM
Pena was removed from Saturday's game against the Orioles due to a right hamstring cramp.
Analysis: Pena was removed from the third inning of Saturday's game after taking a swing at the plate. It's unclear whether his hamstring issue will prevent him from playing in Sunday's series finale. Nick Allen would likely start at shortstop if Pena is unable to play. |
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Christian Walker Christian Walker Exits early Saturday
Sat, Jul 18, 2026, 4:31 PM
Walker was removed from Saturday's game against the Orioles with an apparent injury, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.
Analysis: Walker was grabbing at his right side after taking a swing in the fourth inning and had to be removed from the game before he could finish his at-bat. The Astros will presumably send him in for imaging to determine what exactly he's dealing with, and an update on his status should come in the near future. |
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Jeremy Pena Jeremy Pena Exits with injury
Sat, Jul 18, 2026, 4:09 PM
Pena was removed from Saturday's game against the Orioles due to an apparent leg injury, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports.
Analysis: Pena was visited by one of the Astros' trainers after taking a swing in the third inning, and he appeared to be having problems with his right leg. He was able to stay in and complete the at-bat but was replaced on defense to begin the fourth. The severity of his injury remains unknown, but the Astros may offer an update in the near future. |
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LaMonte Wade Jr. LaMonte Wade Jr. Riding pine against lefty
Sat, Jul 18, 2026, 12:17 PM
Wade is out of the lineup for Saturday's matchup against the Orioles, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.
Analysis: With southpaw Trevor Rogers on the hill for Baltimore on Saturday, Wade will be on the bench for Houston. The right-handed-hitting Zach Dezenzo will take over in left field for Wade and bat eighth for the Astros. |
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Peter Lambert Peter Lambert Thrives with career-high 10 Ks
Fri, Jul 17, 2026, 11:22 PM
Lambert didn't factor into the decision Friday in a 3-2 loss against the Orioles, allowing just one run on three walks while striking out 10 in six innings.
Analysis: Lambert recorded his third quality start in a row despite picking up the no-decision in Friday's matchup with Baltimore. The 29-year-old set a new career high in strikeouts with 10, breaking his previous record of eight which he had set twice earlier this season. An RBI walk by Pete Alonso was the only run that Lambert gave up during his outing. On the year, Lambert has posted a 3.03 ERA, 1.11 WHIP and 91:36 K:BB through 92 innings. |
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Kai-Wei Teng Kai-Wei Teng Activated from IL
Fri, Jul 17, 2026, 3:18 PM
The Astros activated Teng (knee) from the 15-day injured list Friday.
Analysis: Teng had originally been optioned to Triple-A Sugar Land in late June, but the transaction was changed to a placement on the 15-day IL with a right knee sprain. Teng will rejoin Houston's bullpen after making 10 starts for the team. He has a 4.36 ERA, 1.36 WHIP and 63:28 K:BB across 64 innings spanning 23 appearances this season. |
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Brice Matthews Brice Matthews Sent to IL with sprained knee
Fri, Jul 17, 2026, 3:14 PM
The Astros placed Matthews on the 10-day injured list Friday with a left knee sprain.
Analysis: In a corresponding move, the Astros selected Lucas Spence's contract from Triple-A Sugar Land, and he'll man center field in his major-league debut Friday against Baltimore. Matthews was injured in the Astros' final game before the All-Star break. He's hitting .197 with seven homers, 22 RBI, 23 runs scored, four stolen bases and a 15:71 BB:K across 226 plate appearances this season. |
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Headed to big leagues
Fri, Jul 17, 2026, 3:11 PM
The Astros selected Spence's contract from Triple-A Sugar Land on Friday.
Analysis: The 23-year-old is in the lineup, batting eighth and manning center field for Houston on Friday against the Orioles. It will be Spence's major-league debut after he slashed .246/.313/.386 with one homer, 12 RBI, seven runs scored, three stolen bases and a 5:22 BB:K across 17 games at Triple-A following his promotion from Double-A. |
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