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Nate Pearson Nate Pearson Coming off offseason cleanup Fri, Feb 13, 2026, 10:04 AM Pearson underwent a cleanup procedure on his right elbow during the offseason but is throwing a bullpen session Friday, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports. Analysis: The right-hander joined the Astros on a one-year, $1.35 million contract during the offseason, and it appears he's opening camp in good shape despite the offseason procedure. Pearson surrendered 15 earned runs over 11 relief outings for the Cubs last season but was dominant at the Triple-A level with a 2.22 ERA across 44.2 innings. He's primarily worked as a reliever since 2021, but Houston is expected to give him a chance to work as a starter during spring training.
Joey Loperfido Joey Loperfido Heading back to Houston Fri, Feb 13, 2026, 8:34 AM The Astros acquired Loperfido from the Blue Jays on Friday in exchange for Jesus Sanchez. Analysis: It's a return to his original organization for Loperfido, who broke into the big leagues with the Astros before being dealt to Toronto as part of the Yusei Kikuchi trade in July 2024. Loperfido hasn't gained a foothold yet in the majors, but he did hit well over 104 plate appearances last season, slashing .333/.379/.500 with four home runs. The 26-year-old will be in the mix for reps as part of a largely unproven outfield in Houston, but he also has a minor-league option remaining and will be behind Cam Smith and Zach Cole in the battle for a corner OF spot.
Zach Cole Zach Cole Competing for starting spot Wed, Feb 11, 2026, 12:55 PM Cole will compete to be the Astros' starting left fielder in spring training, per Brian McTaggart of MLB.com. Analysis: Cole made a good impression in a 15-game stint with Houston late last season, posting an .880 OPS with four home runs and three stolen bases. With Jake Meyers slated to man center field and Jesus Sanchez in right, the Astros' final outfield spot should come down to either Cole or Cam Smith, with the loser likely to open the year in Triple-A.
Hunter Brown Hunter Brown Named Opening Day starter Wed, Feb 11, 2026, 9:01 AM Astros manager Joe Espada announced Wednesday that Brown will be the team's Opening Day starter, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports. Analysis: Most teams don't reveal their Opening Day starters this early in spring training, but Brown was the obvious choice after finishing third in American League Cy Young voting in 2025. The 27-year-old right-hander will go up against the Angels at home on Opening Day.
Enyel De Los Santos Enyel De Los Santos Shut down with knee strain Wed, Feb 11, 2026, 8:58 AM Astros manager Joe Espada said Wednesday that De Los Santos has been shut down due to a right knee strain, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports. Analysis: It's unclear when De Los Santos might be cleared to throw again. The right-hander posted a 4.36 ERA and 62:24 K:BB over 66 innings between Atlanta and Houston in 2025. If healthy, De Los Santos is pegged for a middle relief role in the Astros' bullpen.
Yainer Diaz Yainer Diaz Coming back from foot sprain Wed, Feb 11, 2026, 8:54 AM Diaz is behind schedule with his running program after suffering a left foot sprain during the Dominican Winter League, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports. Analysis: Diaz is participating in other baseball activities and will catch Tatsuya Imai's bullpen session Wednesday, but he's a tad behind with his running. It does not sound like an injury that will sideline Diaz long, but the Astros could hold him out of the first handful of Grapefruit League games just to be safe.
Josh Hader Josh Hader Diagnosed with bicep inflammation Wed, Feb 11, 2026, 8:50 AM Hader will resume a throwing program Wednesday after being shut down since early February with left bicep inflammation, Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports. Analysis: It seems the left shoulder strain that sidelined Hader for the final seven-plus weeks of last season is behind him, but now he has a new injury to contend with. The veteran reliever will resume throwing Wednesday and ramp up slowly, and his status for Opening Day is up in the air. If Hader needs some time on the injured list, Bryan Abreu would step in as the Astros' closer.
Josh Hader Josh Hader Throwing lightly on flat ground Mon, Feb 9, 2026, 4:20 PM Hader (shoulder) has been throwing lightly on flat ground and the Astros expect to have a better idea as to his status by the middle of this week, Buster Olney of ESPN reports. Analysis: Earlier in the offseason, Hader -- who missed the final seven-plus weeks of last season with a left shoulder strain -- told Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle that he felt "back to normal" and had been throwing off a mound. This latest update suggests there's less certainty about the closer's health, however. If it turns out that Hader had a setback or simply isn't ready, Bryan Abreu would be next in line for saves in the Houston bullpen.
J.P. France J.P. France Outrighted to Triple-A Thu, Feb 5, 2026, 1:52 PM France cleared waivers Thursday and was sent outright to Triple-A Sugar Land, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports. Analysis: France will still receive an invitation to spring training, but he will have to pitch his way back onto the Astros' 40-man roster after missing the vast majority of 2025 recovering from shoulder surgery.
Yainer Diaz Yainer Diaz Wins arbitration case Tue, Feb 3, 2026, 7:47 PM Diaz will make $4.5 million in 2026 after winning his arbitration hearing with the Astros on Tuesday, Francys Romero of BeisbolFR.com reports. Analysis: Diaz slashed .256/.284/.417 in 2025 while tallying 20 homers, 70 RBI and 56 runs scored across 567 plate appearances. His success ultimately led to the arbitration panel choosing his $4.5 million figure over the $3 million that the Astros submitted. The 27-year-old backstop is expected to continue playing nearly every day in 2026 and has two years of arbitration eligibility remaining.
Cam Smith Cam Smith Will play some CF this spring Tue, Feb 3, 2026, 1:32 PM Astros manager Joe Espada said Tuesday that Smith will play some center field during spring training, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports. Analysis: Smith learned right field on the fly last season and took surprisingly well to it, so the Astros will push him further to see if he can learn a more demanding position. Right field still represents Smith's best path to a starting job, but more opportunities could be afforded if he shows he can adequately handle center field. Smith slashed .236/.312/.358 with nine home runs and a 27.8 percent strikeout rate across 134 games during his rookie season.
Isaac Paredes Isaac Paredes Avoids arbitration with Astros Tue, Feb 3, 2026, 12:13 PM The Astros and Paredes avoided arbitration by agreeing to a one-year, $9.35 million contract Tuesday, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports. The deal includes a club option for 2027. Analysis: The deal is the midpoint of the figures that were exchanged last month. Paredes will have one more year of arbitration eligibility next offseason before reaching free agency the following winter. There's currently not a clear opening in Houston's everyday lineup for Paredes, who hit .254/.352/.458 with 20 home runs in 2025, but he remains a candidate to be traded.
Tom Cosgrove Tom Cosgrove Signs with Astros Thu, Jan 29, 2026, 7:50 PM Cosgrove signed a minor-league deal with the Astros on Thursday, which includes an invitation to spring training, Jon Heyman of the New York Post reports. Analysis: Cosgrove has pitched primarily at Triple-A for the last two seasons, working a total of 18.2 innings in the majors. He'll have the chance to battle for a roster spot during spring training.
Kai-Wei Teng Kai-Wei Teng Headed to Houston Thu, Jan 29, 2026, 7:00 PM Teng was traded from the Giants to the Astros in exchange for a minor-league player on Thursday, Robert Murray of FanSided.com reports. Analysis: Teng has experience as both a reliever and starter in the majors, and he worked primarily out of the Giants' rotation toward the end of the 2025 season. He still has two options remaining, so there's a strong chance Teng begins the season with Triple-A Sugar Land, though he should contribute to the big-league team at some point in 2026.
J.P. France J.P. France Designated for assignment Thu, Jan 29, 2026, 6:42 PM France was designated for assignment by the Astros on Thursday, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports. Analysis: France missed most of the 2025 season while recovering from a torn right shoulder capsule. He returned to throw 4.0 innings out of the bullpen, but he'll now have to battle for a roster spot during spring training.
Bryan Abreu Bryan Abreu Earns $5.85 million with Houston Thu, Jan 8, 2026, 6:59 PM Abreu signed a one-year, $5.85 million contract with the Astros on Thursday to avoid arbitration, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports. Analysis: Abreu was one of five relief pitchers in 2025 to record 100-plus strikeouts, doing so for a third consecutive season while boasting a 35.5 percent strikeout rate and 41.2 percent whiff rate. He finished the year with a 2.28 ERA, 1.15 WHIP and 25 holds over 71 innings while also recorded a career-high seven saves, though that opportunity came only after Josh Hader (shoulder) landed on the IL in mid-August. With Hader on track to be fully healthy by Opening Day, Abreu should remain in his high-leverage role out of the Astros' bullpen in 2026.
Nick Allen Nick Allen Secures $1.4 million deal Thu, Jan 8, 2026, 4:38 PM Allen agreed to a one-year, $1.4 million contract with the Astros on Thursday to avoid arbitration, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports. Analysis: The 27-year-old was traded from Atlanta to Houston earlier in the offseason and is now officially under contract for 2026. Allen played in 135 games last season but is likely to work in more of a reserve role for Houston after posting a .221/.284/.251 slash line in 2025.
Jesus Sanchez Jesus Sanchez Reaches deal with Houston Thu, Jan 8, 2026, 4:02 PM Sanchez agreed to a one-year, $6.8 million contract with the Astros on Thursday, avoiding arbitration, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports. Analysis: The 28-year-old outfielder is entering his penultimate year of arbitration eligibility after being traded from Miami to Houston at last year's summer deadline. Sanchez posted a .740 OPS for the Marlins last season but scuffled to a .611 OPS after being dealt to the Astros.
Hunter Brown Hunter Brown Collects $5.71 million for 2026 Thu, Jan 8, 2026, 3:18 PM Brown agreed to a one-year, $5.71 million contract with the Astros on Thursday to avoid arbitration, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports. Analysis: The right-hander will receive a well-earned raise in his first year of arbitration eligibility. Brown positioned himself as Houston's ace in 2025, posting a 2.43 ERA, 1.03 WHIP and 206:57 K:BB across 185.1 innings.
Jake Meyers Jake Meyers Settles at $3.55 million Thu, Jan 8, 2026, 2:41 PM Meyers agreed to a one-year, $3.55 million contract with the Astros on Thursday to avoid arbitration, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports. Analysis: Meyers' batting average jumped up from .219 in the 2024 regular season to .292 in 2025, although a calf strain forced him to miss two months and limited him to just three homers, 24 RBI, 53 runs scored and 16 steals on the year. The 30-year-old's increased efficiency will grant him a $1.25 million raise for the 2026 campaign, and he'll likely open the year as Houston's everyday center fielder.