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Jeremy Pena Jeremy Pena Getting night off Friday
Fri, May 29, 2026, 3:40 PM
Pena is not in the starting lineup for Friday's game against the Brewers, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports.
Analysis: It appears to be a routine day off for Pena, who had made 10 straight starts since returning from the injured list. He's gone 10-for-39 (.256) with two homers, six RBI, seven runs scored, one stolen base and a 1:7 BB:K during that span. Braden Shewmake is making the start at shortstop and batting sixth for Houston on Friday. |
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Hayden Wesneski Hayden Wesneski Tossing live batting practice
Fri, May 29, 2026, 3:29 PM
Wesneski (elbow) has progressed to throwing live batting practice this week, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports.
Analysis: Both Wesneski and Ronel Blanco (elbow) are throwing live BP at the Astros' spring training complex in West Palm Beach. Wesneski underwent Tommy John surgery in May of last year and could be an option for activation at some point later this summer. |
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Ronel Blanco Ronel Blanco Progresses to live batting practice
Fri, May 29, 2026, 3:27 PM
Blanco (elbow) has progressed to throwing live batting practice this week, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports.
Analysis: Both Blanco and Hayden Wesneski (elbow) are throwing live BP at the Astros' spring training facility in West Palm Beach. Blanco is working his way back from June 2025 Tommy John surgery and could return to the Astros later this season if his rehab goes smoothly. |
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Steven Okert Steven Okert Notches sixth hold
Fri, May 29, 2026, 1:07 PM
Okert secured his sixth hold Thursday after pitching a scoreless two-thirds of an inning in a 5-1 win over Texas. He hit a batter but did not allow any hits or walks.
Analysis: Okert entered in the seventh inning and recorded the final out of the frame before returning for the eighth, when he induced a popout and plunked a batter before being pulled. It was the 34-year-old's third straight scoreless appearance out of the bullpen. The left-hander holds a 3.75 ERA, 1.04 WHIP and 21:8 K:BB through 24 innings on the campaign. |
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Isaac Paredes Isaac Paredes Hits two-run shot Thursday
Fri, May 29, 2026, 8:57 AM
Paredes went 1-for-3 with a two-run home run, an additional run scored and a walk in Thursday's win over the Rangers.
Analysis: Paredes returned to the starting lineup after being used a pinch-hitter Wednesday and made his presence felt. This was his first homer since May 19, and Paredes now has six on the year. The third baseman is hitting .227 with a .702 OPS, three homers, four doubles, seven RBI and six runs scored across 25 games this month. |
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Spencer Arrighetti Spencer Arrighetti Notches seventh win
Fri, May 29, 2026, 8:47 AM
Arrighetti (7-1) earned the win Thursday against the Rangers after tossing six innings of one-run ball, allowing three hits and a walk while fanning three.
Analysis: Arrighetti continues to thrive and has emerged as a key member of the Astros' rotation at a time when the unit desperately needed a boost. This was his fourth quality start of the season, and Arrighetti has yet to allow more than two earned runs in any of his eight outings. He'll take his 1.34 ERA, 1.13 WHIP and 8.2 K/9 across 47 innings into his next start, scheduled for next week at home against the Pirates. |
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Jeremy Pena Jeremy Pena Homers again Thursday
Fri, May 29, 2026, 7:58 AM
Pena went 2-for-4 with a solo home run in Thursday's 5-1 win over the Rangers.
Analysis: Pena led off the contest with a 424-foot blast off Nathan Eovaldi, setting the tone for Houston in the victory. After going 17 games without a homer to start the year, a stretch interrupted by a five-week stay on the IL due to a hamstring strain, Pena now has two in his last three games. He's batting .256 with a .689 OPS, 12 runs scored, six RBI and two steals through 90 plate appearances this season. |
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Jake Meyers Jake Meyers Idle Thursday
Thu, May 28, 2026, 4:32 PM
Meyers isn't in the lineup for Thursday's game against the Rangers, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.
Analysis: Meyers has gone 0-for-9 with a walk and a run scored since the beginning of Houston's four-game set with Texas, and he'll take a day to regroup Thursday. Zach Dezenzo, Taylor Trammell and Cam Smith will start across the outfield while Meyers sits. |
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Christian Walker Christian Walker Taking seat Thursday
Thu, May 28, 2026, 4:29 PM
Walker isn't in the lineup for Thursday's game against the Rangers, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.
Analysis: Walker will take a seat on the bench to begin Thursday's series finale after going 1-for-12 with a three-run homer and an additional run scored over the first three games of the series. His absence will cause Isaac Paredes to shift to first base, giving Braden Shewmake a start at third and Brice Matthews a start at second. |
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Jose Altuve Jose Altuve Might avoid rehab assignment
Wed, May 27, 2026, 5:42 PM
Astros manager Joe Espada said Wednesday that the Astros could have Altuve (oblique) simulate at-bats rather than embark on a rehab assignment, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.
Analysis: Espada relayed that Altuve has been healing at an "incredible" pace, with the latter having already progressed to swinging at 75-to-80 percent effort. Given the veteran second baseman's recovery from a Grade 2 left oblique strain, he may take simulated at-bats in lieu of a rehab assignment and be back with the Astros quicker than anticipated. |
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Cristian Javier Cristian Javier Slated for live BP
Wed, May 27, 2026, 5:26 PM
Javier (shoulder) is scheduled to throw a live batting practice session Friday, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.
Analysis: Javier is ready to take the next step in his recovery from a Grade 2 right shoulder strain that landed him on the injured list in mid-April. He'll continue to throw bullpen sessions and live batting practices until he's progressed enough to embark on a rehab assignment. The expectation is that Javier will need multiple starts in the minors, so he may not be ready to be activated from the IL until early July. |
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Josh Hader Josh Hader Final steps of rehab assignment
Wed, May 27, 2026, 5:20 PM
Hader (biceps) will pitch for Triple-A Sugar Land on Wednesday and Thursday, which should represent his final steps before he's activated from the 60-day injured list, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.
Analysis: Hader embarked on his minor-league rehab assignment in early May, and across seven outings he has allowed one run on four hits and one walk while striking out 11 batters over seven innings. Per Brian McTaggart of MLB.com on Sunday, Hader is expected to be activated from the 60-day IL in the first week of June, so he's unlikely to be available for the Astros' weekend series against the Brewers. However, the left-hander could be activated for Houston's following series against Pittsburgh that starts Tuesday. |
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Isaac Paredes Isaac Paredes Not in Wednesday's lineup
Wed, May 27, 2026, 4:26 PM
Paredes is not in the Astros' starting lineup against the Rangers on Wednesday, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports.
Analysis: Paredes will get a breather after going 0-for-8 over the first two games of the series against Texas. Brice Matthews and Braden Shewmake will start at second and third base, respectively, in Wednesday's game. |
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Logan VanWey Logan VanWey Rejoins big-league bullpen
Wed, May 27, 2026, 4:03 PM
The Astros recalled VanWey from Triple-A Sugar Land on Wednesday.
Analysis: VanWey will give manager Joe Espada a fresh bullpen arm. He's made two scoreless appearances for the Astros this season and holds a 7.20 ERA, but he's fashioned an impressive 27:7 K:BB across 20 frames at Sugar Land in 2026. |
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Jason Alexander Jason Alexander Optioned to Triple-A
Wed, May 27, 2026, 4:01 PM
The Astros optioned Alexander to Triple-A Sugar Land on Wednesday.
Analysis: Alexander saved the Astros' bullpen Tuesday against the Rangers by managing to go six innings despite allowing eight runs in the opening frame. Nevertheless, he will head back to the minors as Houston adds Logan VanWey to the bullpen. |
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Cam Smith Cam Smith Homers Tuesday
Wed, May 27, 2026, 6:49 AM
Smith went 1-for-3 with a solo homer and an additional run scored in Tuesday's 10-7 loss to the Rangers.
Analysis: Smith cut the Astros' deficit to 9-6 in the eighth inning with a two-out, 457-foot blast off Jalen Beeks, his fifth homer this year. Smith has slowly started to turn things around at the plate -- he's logged at least one hit in six straight contests, going 7-for-21 with a .940 OPS in that span, after going just 2-for-26 in his previous 11 games. Overall, Smith is slashing .213/.307/.337 with 24 runs scored, 18 RBI and seven steals across 205 plate appearances this season. |
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Jeremy Pena Jeremy Pena Tallies first homer
Wed, May 27, 2026, 6:44 AM
Pena went 1-for-4 with a solo home run and an additional run scored in Tuesday's 10-7 loss to the Rangers.
Analysis: Pena made things interesting in the ninth inning with a 454-foot blast off Jacob Latz, his first homer this season, cutting Houston's deficit to 10-7. The home run was also Pena's first extra-base hit in eight games since he returned from a month-long IL stint. After batting .304 with 17 homers, 20 steals and an .840 OPS across 125 games in 2025, the 28-year-old Pena is slashing .247/.309/.342 with five RBI, 11 runs scored and two stolen bases across 81 plate appearances this year. |
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Jake Meyers Jake Meyers Getting rest Tuesday
Tue, May 26, 2026, 4:28 PM
Meyers isn't in the lineup for Tuesday's game against the Rangers, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.
Analysis: Meyers will get a break after going 0-for-5 with a run scored during Monday's contest. While he rests, Taylor Trammell, Brice Matthews and Cam Smith will form the Astros' outfield trio. |
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Zach Dezenzo Zach Dezenzo Sitting Tuesday
Tue, May 26, 2026, 4:25 PM
Dezenzo isn't in the lineup for Tuesday's game against the Rangers, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.
Analysis: Dezenzo will get a breather Tuesday after going 0-for-2 with a walk and a run scored during Houston's win in Monday's series opener. Taylor Trammell starts in left field, batting fifth. |
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Christian Vazquez Christian Vazquez Idle Tuesday
Tue, May 26, 2026, 4:22 PM
Vazquez isn't in the lineup for Tuesday's game against the Rangers, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.
Analysis: Vazquez will take a seat Tuesday after going 2-for-4 with an RBI and a run scored during Monday's series opener. Cesar Salazar will fill in behind the plate and bat ninth. |
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