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Josh Hader Josh Hader Throwing live BP
Tue, Apr 14, 2026, 3:46 PM
Hader (biceps) is throwing live batting practice Tuesday, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.
Analysis: The veteran left-hander has been throwing bullpen sessions for a while and has finally been cleared to face live batters after sitting out all of spring training due to biceps inflammation. Making his season debut for the Astros before the end of April still appears to be in play. However, early May seems more realistic for Hader given that he's likely to require a handful of rehab outings in the minors before being fully cleared. |
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Mike Burrows Mike Burrows Hit hard in third loss
Mon, Apr 13, 2026, 6:03 PM
Burrows (1-3) took the loss Monday against the Mariners, allowing six runs on 11 hits and one walk in six innings. He struck out three.
Analysis: Although Burrows fired 69 of his 98 pitches for strikes and amassed 17 swinging strikes, he was perhaps a bit too haphazard in targeting the zone Monday. The Mariners tagged him for four-extra base hits, with two leaving the yard off the bat of Josh Naylor, and Burrows wound up giving up a career-high 11 hits and matching a career worst in runs allowed. The 26-year-old right-hander is off to a rocky start in his Astros tenure, posting a 6.55 ERA, 1.82 WHIP and 18:7 K:BB over 22 frames, but he'll have an opportunity to turn things around in a favorable home matchup against the Cardinals this weekend. |
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Colton Gordon Colton Gordon Starting Tuesday vs. Colorado
Mon, Apr 13, 2026, 5:43 PM
Gordon will start for the Astros in Tuesday's series opener against the Rockies, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports.
Analysis: Gordon was recalled by the Astros from Triple-A Sugar Land on Monday to give the parent club more depth in the rotation due to Hunter Brown (shoulder), Tatsuya Imai (arm) and Cristian Javier (shoulder) all being placed on the injured list this past week. Gordon appeared in 20 games (14 starts) for the Astros in 2025, posting a 6-4 record with a 5.34 ERA, 1.42 WHIP and 72:19 K:BB across 86 innings. He's been sharp in three starts in Triple-A this season and boasts a 1.76 ERA and 0.98 WHIP over 15.1 frames with Sugar Land. |
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Joey Loperfido Joey Loperfido Idle for series finale
Mon, Apr 13, 2026, 1:15 PM
Loperfido is out of the lineup for Monday's game against the Mariners.
Analysis: Loperfido started in center field in Friday's series opener versus Seattle after Jake Meyers (oblique) was placed on the injured list prior to that game, but Taylor Trammell has manned that position in each of the subsequent three contests. Even if the Astros proceed with Trammell as their primary center fielder in Meyers' absence, Loperfido should still see regular reps against right-handed pitching as Houston's left fielder. Shortstop Jeremy Pena's (hamstring) move to the IL on Monday should free up playing time on the left side of the infield for both Carlos Correa and Isaac Paredes in the short term, enabling Yordan Alvarez to serve as a designated hitter on a full-time basis rather than poaching starts from Loperfido in left. |
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Shay Whitcomb Shay Whitcomb Summoned from minors
Mon, Apr 13, 2026, 12:47 PM
The Astros recalled Whitcomb from Triple-A Sugar Land on Monday.
Analysis: Whitcomb was up briefly with the big club earlier this season, going 0-for-2 with a walk. The 27-year-old has a .255/.286/.489 batting line with three home runs and four stolen bases in his first 12 contests with Sugar Land this season. Whitcomb is capable of handling most positions but is unlikely to find steady playing time with the Astros. |
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Jayden Murray Jayden Murray Headed back to Triple-A
Mon, Apr 13, 2026, 12:42 PM
The Astros optioned Murray to Triple-A Sugar Land on Monday.
Analysis: Houston will replace Murray on the active roster with Colton Gordon, who was called up from Triple-A in a corresponding move and would appear to be a strong candidate to make a start during the team's upcoming three-game series versus the Rockies after the Astros lost three rotation members to the injured list within the last week. Murray was unlikely to be available out of the Houston bullpen for at least another day or two after he was pressed into long relief in Sunday's 6-1 loss to the Mariners. He tossed two innings and 38 pitches in his 2026 big-league debut, giving up two earned runs on two hits and three walks while striking out three batters. |
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Tatsuya Imai Tatsuya Imai Sent to IL with arm fatigue
Mon, Apr 13, 2026, 12:41 PM
The Astros placed Imai on the 15-day injured list Monday with right arm fatigue.
Analysis: Imai recorded just one out in his last start and looks to be going through a "dead arm" phase. The right-hander will be eligible for activation before the end of April, but it's unclear at this juncture whether he will be ready to go by that time. Houston's rotation depth is really being tested, as Imai joins Hunter Brown (shoulder) and Cristian Javier (shoulder) on the 15-day IL. The club also has Ronel Blanco (elbow), Hayden Wesneski (elbow) and Brandon Walter (elbow) on the 60-day IL. |
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Colton Gordon Colton Gordon Summoned from Triple-A
Mon, Apr 13, 2026, 12:38 PM
The Astros recalled Gordon from Triple-A Sugar Land on Monday.
Analysis: Mike Burrows is slated to start the Astros' series finale versus the Mariners on Monday, but assuming he's not needed in relief for that game, Gordon will be a strong candidate to start Tuesday's series opener versus the Rockies in Houston. The Astros could have as many as four openings in the rotation this week, as Hunter Brown (shoulder), Cristian Javier (shoulder) and Tatsuya Imai (arm) have all landed on the injured list within the last six days, and Cody Bolton (back) is also at risk of being shelved. Gordon has excelled over his three starts with Sugar Land this season, compiling a 1.76 ERA, 0.98 WHIP and 13:4 K:BB In 15.1 innings. |
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J.P. France J.P. France Returns to big club
Mon, Apr 13, 2026, 12:34 PM
The Astros recalled France from Triple-A Sugar Land on Monday.
Analysis: Houston had optioned France to Triple-A on Saturday, but because the Astros placed Tatsuya Imai (arm) on the injured list in a corresponding move, France won't have to wait the required 15 days to rejoin the big club. With Imai becoming the third Astros starter in six days to land on the IL and with Cody Bolton (back) also at risk of landing on the shelf, France could be a candidate to move into the rotation if he's not needed in relief in the next few days. France is already on the same schedule as Imai, having covered 2.2 innings in long relief in Friday's loss to the Mariners after Imai recorded just one out before departing. |
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Jeremy Pena Jeremy Pena Lands on IL with strained hamstring
Mon, Apr 13, 2026, 12:24 PM
The Astros placed Pena on the 10-day injured list Monday with a Grade 1 right hamstring strain, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.
Analysis: The Astros had previously referred to Pena's injury as right posterior knee tightness, but evidently the issue is concentrated more in his hamstring. A Grade 1 strain is the least severe and could allow Pena to return around the time he's first eligible, though the Astros will be careful since hamstring strains are prone to reaggravation. The Astros figure to roll with Carlos Correa at shortstop and Isaac Paredes at third base most days while Pena is out, but it will be Nick Allen handling shortstop Monday in Seattle. |
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Jose Altuve Jose Altuve Three hits in loss to Seattle
Sun, Apr 12, 2026, 8:26 PM
Altuve went 3-for-4 with a double in Sunday's 6-1 loss to the Mariners.
Analysis: The Astros tallied five hits as a team Sunday, and Altuve accounted for three of those, as Logan Gilbert surrendered just one run on four hits across seven innings. Altuve continued his hot start to the 2026 season, slashing .333/.457/.526 with two home runs, six RBI, 12 runs scored, one stolen base and a 13:12 BB:K across 70 plate appearances. |
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Cody Bolton Cody Bolton Set for additional imaging
Sun, Apr 12, 2026, 6:11 PM
Bolton (back) will undergo additional imaging in the near future, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.
Analysis: Bolton was forced to exit his outing Sunday against Seattle in the second inning with mid-back tightness, which is now understood to be related to his previous back issue from earlier in the week. The 27-year-old explained following the team's 6-1 loss to Seattle that the tightness occurred in the same area that he took a line drive off his back Monday in Colorado. Bolton attempted to pitch through it in an effort to give Houston some much-needed length on the mound Sunday, but the Astros now appear to be dealing with yet another injury to their pitching staff. |
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Cody Bolton Cody Bolton Leaves early with back tightness
Sun, Apr 12, 2026, 4:54 PM
Bolton left Sunday's contest against the Mariners in bottom of the second inning with back tightness, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.
Analysis: Bolton was far from sharp to open Sunday's matchup, hitting a batter while walking another and giving up a single and run in the bottom of the first. He then walked all three batters he faced in the second frame before being removed with back discomfort. The right-hander worked his way back from having been hit in his back by a line drive in the first inning of his previous start Monday versus the Rockies, and it's unclear if Sunday's issue is connected to that. More information on his status will likely be provided following the conclusion of the team's series finale with Seattle. |
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Nick Allen Nick Allen Making rare start
Sun, Apr 12, 2026, 2:07 PM
Allen will start at shortstop and bat ninth in Sunday's game against the Mariners, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.
Analysis: With Jeremy Pena sitting out Sunday after exiting Saturday's 8-7 loss due to right knee tightness, Allen will enter the starting nine for just the second time all season. Allen is regarded as a slick fielder in the middle infield, but he's a career .214/.266/.272 hitter over 391 big-league regular-season games and won't carry much fantasy appeal if Pena winds up landing on the injured list. |
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Christian Walker Christian Walker Back in action Sunday
Sun, Apr 12, 2026, 2:07 PM
Walker (leg) will start at first base and batting cleanup Sunday against the Mariners, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.
Analysis: Walker was held out of the starting nine for Saturday's 8-7 loss after he was spotted taking part in pregame exercises to test out his leg, though the Astros never officially announced that he was dealing with an injury. The veteran first baseman's return to the lineup for Sunday's series finale indicates that the issue was a minor concern. After a disappointing first season in Houston in 2025, Walker has started 2026 strong with three home runs and a .986 OPS through 15 games. |
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Jeremy Pena Jeremy Pena Held out of Sunday's lineup
Sun, Apr 12, 2026, 2:00 PM
Pena (knee) is not in the lineup for Sunday's game against the Mariners, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.
Analysis: The 28-year-old shortstop departed Saturday's 8-7 loss due to right posterior knee tightness. According to Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle, manager Joe Espada said Sunday that he didn't have an update available for Pena, who should be considered day-to-day as he continues to be evaluated. Nick Allen will step in at shortstop Sunday for the Astros. |
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Carlos Correa Carlos Correa Resting up Sunday
Sun, Apr 12, 2026, 1:59 PM
Correa is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Mariners, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.
Analysis: Though Correa returned from a recent two-game absence due to an illness and proceeded to go 4-for-9 with a double and three runs while starting in the Astros' first two games in Seattle, manager Joe Espada indicated that the veteran infielder isn't yet 100 percent recovered from the ailment, per Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle. Correa will receive Sunday off as a result, though the expectation is that he'll be back in the lineup for Monday's series finale. |
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Cody Bolton Cody Bolton Cleared to start Sunday
Sun, Apr 12, 2026, 8:23 AM
Bolton (back) is slated to start Sunday's game against the Mariners in Seattle, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.
Analysis: Bolton will get another turn in the rotation after he made his first MLB start Monday in Colorado. The right-hander acquitted himself well at Coors Field, striking out five over 4.1 innings while allowing two earned runs on three hits and two walks. The Astros sent Bolton in for a precautionary MRI after he was struck in the back by a line drive in the first inning Monday, but the tests turned up nothing concerning. He tossed 63 pitches in his previous start and will likely increase his workload Sunday as he gets fully stretched out for what could be a long-term appointment in the rotation with Hunter Brown and Cristian Javier both recently landing on the injured list with Grade 2 shoulder strains. |
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Jeremy Pena Jeremy Pena Departs with knee injury Saturday
Sat, Apr 11, 2026, 10:35 PM
Pena was pulled from Saturday's contest against Seattle due to right posterior knee tightness, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.
Analysis: Pena got two plate appearances in the contest, going 1-for-3. Following his single in the fourth inning, he advanced to second on a flyout and to third on an Isaac Paredes single. Following the Paredes hit, Pena exited and was replaced by pinch runner Nick Allen, who subsequently took over at shortstop. Pena will presumably be examined to determine the extent of his injury. |
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Josh Hader Josh Hader Seemingly close to facing hitters
Sat, Apr 11, 2026, 9:13 PM
Hader (biceps) could face hitters next week, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.
Analysis: Hader began the season on the IL after being diagnosed with biceps inflammation in the early portion of spring training. Astros GM Dana Brown said in late March that the veteran closer would begin facing hitters by mid-April, and that scenario still seems to be very much in play. Hader has been tossing bullpen sessions, and throwing to live hitters would represent another significant step toward a return. Activation before the end of April remains a possibility for Hader. |
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