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Hunter Brown Hunter Brown Shifting rehab to Triple-A
Mon, May 25, 2026, 4:21 PM
Brown (shoulder) will make his next rehab start this weekend at Triple-A Sugar Land, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.
Analysis: Brown opened his rehab assignment Sunday with Double-A Corpus Christie, when he struck out five batters while allowing one hit across two scoreless innings. He'll make his next rehab start in Triple-A and is aiming to be activated from the 60-day injured list in mid-June, per McTaggart. Brown is in the final stages of his recovery from a Grade 2 right shoulder strain that landed him on the IL in early April. |
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Joey Loperfido Joey Loperfido Dealing with foot injury
Mon, May 25, 2026, 4:18 PM
Astros manager Joe Espada told reporters Monday that Loperfido (quadriceps) will pause his rehab assignment until Wednesday after fouling a ball off his foot during Sunday's game with Double-A Corpus Christie, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.
Analysis: Loperfido started his rehab assignment in Double-A on Sunday, when he went 0-for-2 with two strikeouts and a hit-by-pitch. He sustained a foot injury during that contest, but it doesn't appear to be a serious issue as he's expected to be back in action Wednesday. Loperfido continues to recover from a right quadriceps strain that landed him on the 10-day injured list in mid-April. |
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Yordan Alvarez Yordan Alvarez Back in Astros' lineup
Mon, May 25, 2026, 3:47 PM
Alvarez (back) will start at designated hitter and bat third in Monday's game versus the Rangers.
Analysis: Alvarez was pulled from Saturday's contest against the Cubs due to back spasms and then didn't play in Sunday's series finale, though the slugger contended it was unrelated to the back issue and it was merely a scheduled day off. Either way, he's back in there for Monday's tilt. |
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Jason Alexander Jason Alexander Nabbing another start
Sun, May 24, 2026, 8:13 PM
Alexander is slated to start Tuesday's game against the Rangers in Arlington.
Analysis: Called upon to make a short-notice start last Tuesday against the Twins after Lance McCullers (shoulder) was scratched and later moved to the injured list, Alexander took the opportunity and ran with it. He struck out four and yielded just five baserunners over six scoreless innings en route to claiming his first big-league win of the season. The right-hander will be rewarded with a second start, and Alexander could hold down a spot in Houston's six-man rotation until the pitching staff reclaims some health. |
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Hunter Brown Hunter Brown Eyeing mid-June return from IL
Sun, May 24, 2026, 7:44 PM
Brown (shoulder) struck out five and gave up one hit and no walks over two scoreless innings Sunday in a rehab start for Double-A Corpus Christi.
Analysis: Brown opened his rehab assignment on a high note, spotting 21 of his 35 pitches for strikes while generating seven whiffs. The Houston ace is eligible to return from the injured list June 1, but general manager Dana Brown said earlier Sunday that the Astros are targeting the middle of next month for his activation, per Brian McTaggart of MLB.com. The Astros are planning for Brown to build up to around 75 pitches prior to adding him back to the rotation, so he'll likely need at least two more starts in the minors to complete his ramp-up process. |
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Yainer Diaz Yainer Diaz Moving closer to rehab assignment
Sun, May 24, 2026, 7:32 PM
Astros general manager Dana Brown said Sunday that Diaz (oblique) is expected to begin a rehab assignment during the first week of June, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.
Analysis: Per MLB.com, Diaz is in the midst of a running and hitting progression as he works his way back from a left oblique strain, which sent him to the injured list May 5. He looks as though he could be ready to hit against live pitching at some point during the upcoming week, and if all goes well, the Astros could map out a rehab assignment for the 27-year-old backstop soon thereafter. Christian Vazquez has been serving as Houston's primary catcher since Diaz hit the shelf. |
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Jake Meyers Jake Meyers Goes deep against Cubs
Sun, May 24, 2026, 7:27 PM
Meyers went 1-for-4 with a solo home run during the Astros' 8-5 win over the Cubs on Sunday.
Analysis: Meyers opened Sunday's scoring with a solo home run of Shota Imanaga in the second inning. It was Meyers' first extra-base hit since returning from the 15-day injured list Tuesday and his second home run of the season. He is slashing .231/.293/.385 with one steal and five RBI across 58 plate appearances this season. |
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Josh Hader Josh Hader Tracking toward early June return
Sun, May 24, 2026, 6:53 PM
Astros general manager Dana Brown said Sunday that Hader (biceps) is in line to return from the 60-day injured list in the first week of June, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.
Analysis: Hader has thus far looked sharp through his first six rehab appearances between Double-A Corpus Christi and Triple-A Sugar Land, covering six innings and striking out nine batters while giving up one earned run on four hits and no walks. Brown said that the left-hander is scheduled to pitch for Corpus Christi again on Sunday, then will require two more tune-up outings in the minors before getting cleared to return from the IL. Assuming Hader checks out fine from a performance and velocity standpoint during his upcoming appearances, he'll likely slide back into the closer's role for Houston immediately upon being activated. |
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Jose Altuve Jose Altuve Plans to start swinging soon
Sun, May 24, 2026, 6:31 PM
Astros manager Joe Espada said Sunday that Altuve (oblique) is expected to resume swinging a bat "in the next day or two," Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports.
Analysis: Altuve traveled with the Astros to Chicago for their series versus the Cubs but is slated to fly to Florida later Sunday as he begins his rehab program for the moderate left oblique strain that recently sent him to the injured list. He's already started playing catch again, but swinging the bat will represent a more meaningful step forward in his recovery from the oblique injury. Altuve still has multiple checkpoints to hit before being deemed ready for game action, but he seems to be making quicker progress than the Astros may have initially anticipated. |
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Nate Pearson Nate Pearson Earns first save of 2026
Sun, May 24, 2026, 4:42 PM
Pearson collected the save in Sunday's 8-5 win over the Cubs, issuing one walk in a scoreless ninth inning.
Analysis: Bryan King pitched out of the bullpen both Friday and Saturday and Bryan Abreu was deployed in the eighth inning of Sunday's game, so the Astros turned to Pearson to close things out. Pearson issued a walk to Pete Crow-Armstrong but got out of the inning unscathed after retiring the next three batters, needing 20 pitches (11 strikes) to get out of the frame. It was the first save of the season for Pearson and his first since the 2024 season. Between King, Abreu and a soon-to-return Josh Hader (biceps), Pearson is unlikely to see many more save opportunities this season. |
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Christian Walker Christian Walker Takes Imanaga deep Sunday
Sun, May 24, 2026, 4:33 PM
Walker went 1-for-4 with a three-run homer during the Astros' 8-5 win over the Cubs on Sunday.
Analysis: Walker gave the Astros the lead for good in the fifth inning after taking Shota Imanaga's splitter deep to left-center field for a three-run homer. Walker has gone deep three times over his last two games and is up to 14 home runs on the season, which is second on the Astros behind Yordan Alvarez (15) and tied for eighth-most in the majors this season. Walker is slashing .265/.338/.531 with 37 RBI and 31 runs scored across 219 plate appearances in 2026. |
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Nick Allen Nick Allen Smacks first homer of 2026
Sun, May 24, 2026, 4:30 PM
Allen went 3-for-3 with a solo home run, an RBI single and an additional run scored during the Astros' 8-5 win over the Cubs on Sunday.
Analysis: Allen blasted his first deep ball of the season in the third inning, when he took Shota Imanaga deep to left field. Allen came home to score again in the fifth before giving the Astros an insurance run in the ninth after his single to right field brought Cam Smith home. Allen has mostly operated in a utility role this season, but he should see some more spot starts in the infield for as long as Jose Altuve (oblique) is on the 10-day injured list. |
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Peter Lambert Peter Lambert Limits damage to three runs in win
Sun, May 24, 2026, 4:26 PM
Lambert (3-4) earned the win against the Cubs on Sunday, allowing three runs on five hits and four walks while striking out five across five innings.
Analysis: It wasn't exactly smooth sailing for Lambert, who allowed at least two baserunners in three of the first four innings of his start. All three runs he gave up came in the second frame, though it could have been worse given that he loaded the bases before striking out Michael Conforto to end the inning. Lambert ended his outing on a positive note by striking out two of three batters in the fifth, and he received enough run support from his Astros teammates to come away with his third win of the season. Lambert will take a 3.79 ERA and 1.17 WHIP over 40.1 innings into his next start, which is slated for next weekend at home against the Brewers. |
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Braden Shewmake Braden Shewmake Taking seat against southpaw
Sun, May 24, 2026, 1:16 PM
Shewmake is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Cubs.
Analysis: With southpaw Shota Imanaga on the bump for the Cubs, the left-handed-hitting Shewmake will retreat to the bench after going 0-for-5 with a walk and a run scored while starting the first two games of the series at second base. Brice Matthews will fill in for Shewmake at the keystone Sunday. |
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Yordan Alvarez Yordan Alvarez Won't play Sunday
Sat, May 23, 2026, 4:35 PM
Alvarez (back) won't be in the lineup for Sunday's series finale against the Cubs, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.
Analysis: Alvarez was pulled from Saturday's contest in the sixth inning due to back spasms, but he said after the game that his absence Sunday had already been planned and has nothing to do with his injury. Scheduled or not, a day off for Alvarez will give his back more time to recover and help his chances of returning to the lineup for Monday's series opener against the Rangers. |
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Christian Walker Christian Walker Lifts two long balls Saturday
Sat, May 23, 2026, 4:09 PM
Walker went 3-for-3 with a pair of home runs, a walk and three total RBI in a 3-0 win against the Cubs on Saturday.
Analysis: Walker accounted for all of the scoring in the contest, belting a two-run homer in the first inning and a solo shot in the fourth. He had three of the Astros' four hits against Cubs starter Colin Rea and reached all four times he came to the plate. Walker is enjoying a strong second season in Houston, posting a .266/.340/.521 slash line with 13 homers, 10 doubles, 30 runs and 34 RBI through 53 games. |
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Bryan King Bryan King Notches another save
Sat, May 23, 2026, 3:53 PM
King picked up a save against the Cubs on Saturday, allowing one hit and striking out one batter over one scoreless inning.
Analysis: King had a nice three-run cushion when he entered in the ninth inning. The left-hander gave up a two-out single but got Michael Busch on a lineout to end the game. King has notched a save on back-to-back days and is now 6-for-8 on save chances this season. He seems to be the Astros' current top ninth-inning option, but that will likely change when Josh Hader (biceps) returns to big-league action, which could happen by the end of May. |
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Kai-Wei Teng Kai-Wei Teng Posts another scoreless start
Sat, May 23, 2026, 3:49 PM
Teng (3-3) notched the victory over the Cubs on Saturday, allowing two hits and walking three batters while striking out six over six scoreless innings.
Analysis: Teng tossed a season-high 89 pitches (56 strikes) while completing six frames for the first time as a major-leaguer. The right-hander also recorded his second straight win and has now thrown 11 scoreless innings while allowing just four hits and registering a 13:7 K:BB over his past two starts. Teng has moved into Houston's six-man rotation this month and has gradually increased his pitch count with the aim of remaining a starter long-term. He's tentatively stated to next take the mound at home versus Milwaukee. |
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Yordan Alvarez Yordan Alvarez Exits with injury
Sat, May 23, 2026, 2:51 PM
Alvarez was removed from Saturday's game against the Cubs with back spasms, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.
Analysis: Alvarez was visited by a trainer in the on-deck circle before his at-bat in the sixth inning, and he was pulled moments later after showing discomfort following a swing. It's unclear whether the 28-year-old's back will cause him to miss additional time, but the Astros could provide an update on his status in the near future. |
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Joey Loperfido Joey Loperfido Set to begin rehab assignment
Sat, May 23, 2026, 12:09 PM
Loperfido (quad) will begin a rehab assignment Sunday with Double-A Corpus Christi, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports.
Analysis: Loperfido started light baseball activity May 5 and has been sidelined since April 17 with a right quadriceps strain. Fellow big leaguers Hunter Brown (shoulder), Josh Hader (biceps) and Taylor Trammell (groin) will also be playing in Sunday's game for the Hooks. Loperfido could return sometime next week. |
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