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Yordan Alvarez Yordan Alvarez Slated for designated hitter duty Mon, Dec 8, 2025, 5:20 PM Astros manager Joe Espada said Monday that he would like Alvarez (ankle) to "spend most of his season" at designated hitter, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports. Analysis: Alvarez started 32 games at DH and 15 in left field during his injury-shortened 2025 campaign, and Houston wants to limit his time in the field in hopes that it will help keep him healthy. While it makes sense for the Astros to do everything they can to keep Alvarez's bat in the lineup, it makes for a difficult lineup construction for Espada, especially when it comes to where Isaac Paredes (hamstring) slots in. Alvarez's 2025 season ended prematurely due to a severe left ankle sprain, but general manager Dana Brown said Monday that the slugger will be ready to go for the start of spring training.
Jose Altuve Jose Altuve Resumes workouts Mon, Dec 8, 2025, 3:52 PM Astros general manager Dana Brown said Monday that Altuve (foot) has resumed workouts, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports. Analysis: Altuve underwent a minor procedure last month to remove fluid between the fourth and fifth toes on his right foot, an injury he played through down the stretch of the regular season. The 35-year-old is not expected to have any limitations at the start of spring training.
Isaac Paredes Isaac Paredes To be 'full-go' for spring training Mon, Dec 8, 2025, 3:50 PM Astros general manager Dana Brown said Monday that Paredes (hamstring) will be "full-go" at the start of spring training, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports. Analysis: Brown said during last month's general managers' meetings that Paredes wasn't fully recovered from his right hamstring tear and that the infielder likely wouldn't be 100 percent by spring training. Now, however, Brown seems confident that Paredes will not have any limitations when camp opens. Paredes should have an everyday role for Houston in 2026 -- assuming he's not traded -- though it's not yet clear what position he will play.
Yordan Alvarez Yordan Alvarez Will be full-go for start of spring Mon, Dec 8, 2025, 3:39 PM Astros general manager Dana Brown said Monday that Alvarez (ankle) will be "full go" for the start of spring training, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports. Analysis: Alvarez went down with a severe left ankle sprain late in the regular season. Brown said nearly a month ago that Alvarez had resumed jogging at roughly 70 percent intensity, and while it's unclear how much, if at all, the slugger has progressed with his running since then, Alvarez is not expected to be limited at the start of spring training. Additionally, manager Joe Espada added that his preference is for Alvarez to spend most of his time at designated hitter in 2026, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports. The 28-year-old will remain an injury risk heading into the 2026 campaign, however, after being limited to only 48 contests in 2025, mostly due to a fracture in his right hand.
Logan VanWey Logan VanWey Sent outright to Sugar Land Fri, Dec 5, 2025, 4:48 PM VanWey cleared waivers Friday and was outrighted to Triple-A Sugar Land, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports. Analysis: VanWey reached the majors for the first time in 2025 and logged a 5.06 ERA alongside a 1.69 WHIP over 10.2 innings. He now seems poised to begin the new season back in Triple-A, and the Astros could look to fill his spot on the 40-man roster during the Rule 5 Draft.
Taylor Trammell Taylor Trammell Outrighted to Triple-A Fri, Dec 5, 2025, 4:42 PM Trammell cleared waivers Friday and was sent outright to Triple-A Sugar Land, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports. Analysis: Trammell signed a split contract with Houston in November that would've paid him $900,000 if he were in the big leagues, but it now appears that he will begin the 2026 campaign in the minors. The 28-year-old outfielder owns a .632 OPS over 494 plate appearances in his big-league career and likely wouldn't serve as more than a bench piece if he made it back to the majors in '26.
Amos Willingham Amos Willingham Lands with Houston on MiLB deal Wed, Dec 3, 2025, 1:46 PM The Astros signed Willingham to a minor-league contract Nov. 28. Analysis: Willingham, 27, spent the 2025 season in the minors in the Atlanta organization, collecting a 5.17 ERA and 64:18 K:BB over 55.2 frames. The righty has a 7.11 ERA over 19 appearances at the big-league level and will give the Astros some experienced relief depth at Triple-A Sugar Land.
Carlos Perez Carlos Perez Lands MiLB pact with Houston Wed, Dec 3, 2025, 1:42 PM The Astros signed Perez to a minor-league contract Nov. 28. Analysis: Perez spent all of the 2025 campaign at Triple-A Iowa in the Cubs organization, putting up a .944 OPS with 27 long balls. The 35-year-old last saw action at the big-league level in 2023 and will provide the Astros with experienced catching depth at Triple-A Sugar Land.
Ryan Weiss Ryan Weiss Inks deal with Astros Tue, Dec 2, 2025, 4:03 PM The Astros signed Weiss to a one-year contract Tuesday, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports. Analysis: Weiss is getting a major-league contract after spending part of 2023 in independent ball and the last two seasons with the Hanwha Eagles of the Korea Baseball Organization. The right-hander had an excellent 2025 campaign with the Eagles, posting a 2.87 ERA and 207:56 K:BB over 178.2 innings covering 30 starts. Weiss -- who turns 29 next week -- will be used as a starting pitcher by the Astros. He has not appeared in a major-league game.
Taylor Trammell Taylor Trammell Gets new deal from Astros Fri, Nov 21, 2025, 5:35 PM Trammell signed a one-year, split contract with the Astros on Friday, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports. Analysis: Trammell's contract will pay him $900,000 if he's in the majors, per Chandler Rome of The Athletic. The 28-year-old finished 2025 with a .197/.296/.333 slash line through 135 plate appearances and will likely have to fight to make the big-league roster during spring training.
Enyel De Los Santos Enyel De Los Santos Sticking with Houston Fri, Nov 21, 2025, 5:31 PM De Los Santos signed a one-year contract with the Astros on Friday, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports. Analysis: De Los Santos put up a 4.03 ERA and 1.25 WHIP over 22.1 innings after signing with the Astros in August, and his new deal will ensure he remains in the organization for the start of the 2026 campaign -- likely serving as a middle reliever.
Nick Allen Nick Allen Dealt to Houston Wed, Nov 19, 2025, 8:23 PM Atlanta traded Allen to the Astros on Wednesday in exchange for Mauricio Dubon. Analysis: Allen's strong defensive capabilities at shortstop allowed him to appear in 135 games in 2025, though he finished the year with just a .535 OPS over 416 plate appearances. Now that he's moving to Houston, where Jeremy Pena is expected to start regularly at shortstop, Allen's playing time and already poor offensive production will likely diminish.
Anthony Maldonado Anthony Maldonado Latches on with Houston Wed, Nov 19, 2025, 10:34 AM The Astros signed Maldonado to a minor-league contract Nov. 14. Analysis: Maldonado holds a 7.20 ERA and 18:12 K:BB over 25 innings across parts of two big-league seasons. The 27-year-old will give the Astros some experienced bullpen depth at Triple-A Sugar Land.
Ramon Urias Ramon Urias Booted off 40-man roster Tue, Nov 18, 2025, 3:57 PM The Astros designated Urias for assignment Tuesday. Analysis: The transaction frees up a spot on the 40-man roster for the addition of Miguel Ullola. Urias is projected to make more than $4 million in his final year of arbitration eligibility, which the Astros felt was too much. The 31-year-old is a career .257/.321/.403 hitter and capable defender at second and third base, so he shouldn't have difficult landing a major-league contract this winter, assuming he clears waivers and becomes a free agent.
Jose Altuve Jose Altuve Undergoes minor procedure Mon, Nov 17, 2025, 7:30 PM Altuve underwent a procedure to remove fluid between the fourth and fifth toes on his right foot Monday, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports. Analysis: Altuve played through the issue for the final few weeks of the regular season after suffering the injury Sept. 13 against Atlanta. McTaggart described the procedure as a minor skin aspiration, and the expectation is that the 35-year-old will be ready for the start of spring training.
Isaac Paredes Isaac Paredes Still not over hamstring tear Mon, Nov 17, 2025, 8:50 AM Astros general manager Dana Brown said during last week's general managers' meetings that Paredes was about 65 percent recovered from his right hamstring injury, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports. Analysis: Brown added that he's hopeful Paredes will be 80-to-90 percent recovered by spring training and potentially be ready to go by Opening Day. Paredes missed two months due to a right hamstring tear suffered in mid-July before making a late-season return, though he was limited to designated hitter duty and severely compromised as a baserunner. The 26-year-old will continue to rehab the injury and it sounds like he'll be slow-played at the start of spring training.
Spencer Arrighetti Spencer Arrighetti Expected to be ready for spring Mon, Nov 17, 2025, 8:15 AM Arrighetti (elbow) is expected to be 100 percent for the beginning of spring training, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports. Analysis: Arrighetti missed the final month of the season with a right elbow injury, but he's considered healthy now and is "having a very productive offseason," per Astros general manager Dana Brown. The 25-year-old was limited to only seven starts at the major-league level in 2025, as he was sidelined four months with a right thumb fracture in addition to the elbow issue. Brown indicated that Arrighetti has a rotation spot for 2026 locked up.
Cam Smith Cam Smith Not guaranteed roster spot Thu, Nov 13, 2025, 10:48 AM Astros general manager Dana Brown said Wednesday that Smith could begin next season at Triple-A Sugar Land "if he hasn't turned the corner," Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports. Analysis: Brown remains high on Smith's potential, saying he "could be a star one day," but added that "we're going to need him to be more consistent." Smith forced his way onto the Astros' Opening Day roster with a huge showing in spring training, but he went on to slash just .236/.312/.358 with nine home runs and a 27.8 percent strikeout rate across 134 contests. The rookie started only six of the Astros' final 20 games, including just two of their final 16 tilts versus right-handed pitching. Smith did play a surprisingly solid right field, a position he had never manned before. Slated to turn 23 in February, Smith should enter spring training with a chance to win a starting job, but some seasoning in the minors might not be the worst thing for him and the Astros. The 2024 first-round pick has logged just 32 games and 134 plate appearances at the minor-league level.
Yordan Alvarez Yordan Alvarez Resumes jogging Wed, Nov 12, 2025, 5:04 PM General manager Dana Brown said Wednesday that Alvarez (ankle) has begun jogging at roughly 70 percent intensity, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports. Analysis: Alvarez suffered a severe left ankle sprain during the final weeks of the regular season. Brown's comments indicate that the 28-year-old is coming along nicely in his recovery, and the GM added that he expects Alvarez to be ready to go by the start of spring training. The righty-hitting slugger also missed significant time in 2025 due to a fracture in his right hand and finished the season with just a .797 OPS across 199 plate appearances.
Josh Hader Josh Hader Throwing off mound Wed, Nov 12, 2025, 4:56 PM General manager Dana Brown said Wednesday that Hader (shoulder) has thrown off a mound three times, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports. Analysis: Hader's season ended in mid-August after he suffered a left shoulder strain, but he appears to be making significant progress in his recovery. The Astros have yet to establish a return timeline for the lefty closer, however, so his availability for the start of spring training remains unknown.