| News |
|---|
|
Back in action for Tourists
Tue, Jul 21, 2026, 10:34 AM
High-A Asheville activated Frey (hamstring strain) from the 7-day injured list July 16, Geoff Pontes of Baseball America reports.
Analysis: He suffered the injury June 3 and began his rehab assignment in the Florida Complex League on July 3. Frey has been one of the bigger FYPD disappointments in dynasty leagues this year, as he has a 30.4 percent strikeout rate and 88 wRC+ in 50 games as a 22-year-old at High-A. Despite an underwhelming .153 ISO and six homers in 230 plate appearances, Frey has at least used his athleticism to add value on the bases, notching 15 steals on 19 attempts. |
|
Jeremy Pena Jeremy Pena Launches grand slam Monday
Mon, Jul 20, 2026, 11:13 PM
Pena went 1-for-4 with a grand slam in Monday's 8-5 win over the Marlins.
Analysis: Pena's lone hit was a big one, as he uncorked a grand slam off Janson Junk as part of a six-run second inning. It was encouraging to see the shortstop back in the lineup Monday after he exited Saturday's game early and sat out Sunday's contest due to a right hamstring cramp. Multiple injuries have forced Pena to miss time this season, but he has been productive when available, slashing .294/.357/.441 with seven homers, 26 RBI, 38 runs and eight stolen bases across 54 contests. |
|
Yordan Alvarez Yordan Alvarez Blasts two homers in win
Mon, Jul 20, 2026, 11:06 PM
Alvarez went 3-for-4 with two solo home runs in Monday's 8-5 win over the Marlins.
Analysis: Alvarez demolished a solo homer to cap off a six-run second inning, then blasted another solo shot in the fifth frame. The slugger is currently riding a seven-game hitting streak, during which he has gone 13-for-25 (.520) with four homers, four doubles, eight RBI and five runs scored. With his two long balls Monday, the 29-year-old pulled even with Kyle Schwarber for the major-league lead with 33 home runs. It has been nothing short of a monster campaign for Alvarez in 2026, as he's slashing .324/.432/.651 with 53 extra-base hits, 75 RBI and 67 runs scored across 100 contests. |
|
Ronel Blanco Ronel Blanco Strikes out eight in season debut
Mon, Jul 20, 2026, 10:42 PM
Blanco did not factor into the decision Monday, allowing four runs on two hits and three walks across 4.2 innings in an 8-5 win over the Marlins. He struck out eight.
Analysis: Blanco's season debut was a mixed bag, as he generated 18 whiffs and recorded eight strikeouts while allowing just two hits, but both were two-run home runs. The 32-year-old departed after throwing 86 pitches (58 strikes). Blanco posted a 4.10 ERA, 1.18 WHIP and 48:20 K:BB across 48.1 innings (nine starts) in 2025 before undergoing Tommy John surgery last June. His next start is tentatively scheduled for Sunday against the White Sox. |
|
Cam Smith Cam Smith Receiving breather Monday
Mon, Jul 20, 2026, 6:09 PM
Smith is out of the lineup for Monday's game against the Marlins.
Analysis: Smith will get the evening off after he went 0-for-13 with five strikeouts while starting in all three of the Astros' games against the Orioles over the weekend. Taylor Trammell will fill in for Smith in right field and will bat seventh. |
|
Nick Allen Nick Allen Back in reserve role
Mon, Jul 20, 2026, 6:07 PM
Allen is out of the lineup for Monday's game against the Marlins.
Analysis: Though he received the start at shortstop in Sunday's 5-2 loss to the Orioles, Allen will be back on the bench for the series opener against the Marlins while Jeremy Pena (hamstring) checks back into the starting nine. Allen had a brief run as the Astros' primary shortstop when he returned from the injured list June 29, but Pena has taken back control of the position since being reinstated July 10 following an IL stint of his own. |
|
Christian Walker Christian Walker On bench again Monday
Mon, Jul 20, 2026, 6:04 PM
Walker (hip) is out of the lineup for Monday's game against the Marlins.
Analysis: Walker will take a seat for the second day in a row after he was removed from Saturday's 4-2 loss to the Orioles due to right hip tightness. LaMonte Wade will pick up the start at first base Monday in place of Walker, whom the Astros are viewing as day-to-day after he was able to take part in baseball activities Sunday. |
|
Bennett Sousa Bennett Sousa Back in big-league bullpen
Mon, Jul 20, 2026, 3:24 PM
The Astros activated Sousa (elbow) from the 60-day injured list Monday, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.
Analysis: Sousa has been sidelined since early May while dealing with left elbow inflammation, but he's been cleared to return after yielding just one unearned run in five rehab outings. The southpaw was a revelation out of the Houston bullpen in 2025, turning in a 2.84 ERA and 59:15 K:BB over 50.2 innings. |
|
Ronel Blanco Ronel Blanco Activated ahead of Monday's start
Mon, Jul 20, 2026, 3:19 PM
The Astros activated Blanco (elbow) from the 60-day injured list Monday, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.
Analysis: Blanco will start Monday's game versus the Marlins, marking his first time on a big-league mound since he underwent Tommy John surgery with an internal brace last June. The 32-year-old right-hander went 4.1 innings and threw 68 pitches in his final rehab outing, so he will be relatively limited from a workload perspective as he takes on Miami. |
|
Jeremy Pena Jeremy Pena Back in starting nine Monday
Mon, Jul 20, 2026, 3:16 PM
Pena (hamstring) will start at shortstop and bat leadoff in Monday's game against the Marlins, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.
Analysis: Pena will make his return to the starting nine after the Astros opted to keep him on the bench for Sunday's 5-2 loss to the Orioles while he managed a right hamstring cramp. Since coming off the injured list July 10 after he had been shelved with a calf strain, Pena has gone 5-for-17 (.294 average) with two walks, three runs and one RBI in five games. |
|
Raynel Delgado Raynel Delgado Sent back to minors
Mon, Jul 20, 2026, 3:16 PM
The Astros optioned Delgado to Triple-A Sugar Land on Monday, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.
Analysis: Delgado was recalled and started at second base in Sunday's loss to the Orioles, but he finds himself back in the minors a day later. He'll be used as a utility infielder at Sugar Land. |
|
Yordan Alvarez Yordan Alvarez Stays hot over weekend
Mon, Jul 20, 2026, 12:51 PM
Alvarez went 1-for-4 with an RBI double in Sunday's 5-2 loss to the Orioles.
Analysis: The Astros ended up getting swept during their first series coming out of the All-Star break, but Alvarez did his part to keep the offense afloat. He contributed run-scoring doubles in all three contests of the series, boosting his American League-leading RBI total to 73. Alvarez is also pacing the AL in home runs (31) and ranks first among qualified hitters in batting average (.319), putting him in strong position to become the majors' first Triple Crown winner since Miguel Cabrera in 2012. |
|
AJ Blubaugh AJ Blubaugh Racking up Ks in bullpen
Mon, Jul 20, 2026, 10:22 AM
Blubaugh struck out three and gave up one hit and one walk in a two-inning relief appearance in Saturday's 4-2 loss to the Orioles in 11 innings.
Analysis: With no saves and just four holds this season, Blubaugh hasn't handled a high-leverage role for Houston but has found success as a multi-inning reliever. He's been especially effective over his last 15 appearances, recorded multiple strikeouts in all but one of those outings while pitching to a 2.22 ERA, 1.09 WHIP and 25.4 K-BB% across 28.1 innings during that stretch. |
|
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. |
|
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. |
|
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. |
|
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. |
|
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. |
|
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. |
|
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. |
Connect With Us:
