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Jake Meyers Jake Meyers Battling back spasms Fri, Feb 27, 2026, 4:25 PM Meyers was scratched from the lineup for Friday's Grapefruit League game against Washington due to back spasms, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports. Analysis: Meyers has gone 1-for-5 with an RBI and a walk in two games this spring. His back likely won't affect his availability for Opening Day, but the Astros will play it safe and keep him on the bench Friday while Kellen Strahm patrols center field.
Ryan Weiss Ryan Weiss Competing for final rotation spot Fri, Feb 27, 2026, 12:59 PM Weiss delivered 2.1 scoreless innings in Thursday's Grapefruit League matchup with the Mets, allowing a hit and a pair of walks. Analysis: It was a solid spring debut overall for Weiss, as he was able to work out of trouble to keep the Mets off the board. The 29-year-old right-hander is competing with Spencer Arrighetti, Lance McCullers and AJ Blubaugh for one of the final two spots in the Astros' six-man rotation. Weiss, who featured a mid-90's fastball paired with three different offspeed pitches, signed a one-year deal with Houston after posting an impressive 2.87 ERA with 207 strikeouts across 178.2 innings in the KBO last year. Weiss figures to start the year as a swingman out of the bullpen, should he fail to crack the Opening Day rotation.
Josh Hader Josh Hader Plays catch off mound Thu, Feb 26, 2026, 9:35 AM Hader (biceps) played catch off the mound Wednesday, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports. Analysis: Hader was just tossing the ball and not throwing a bullpen session, so while it's a step in his rehab progression, it's a minor one. Astros manager Joe Espada said Thursday that Hader is not yet scheduled for a bullpen session. It appears unlikely at this point that Hader will have time to ramp up for Opening Day, and if that's the case, Bryan Abreu would be in line to fill in as Houston's closer.
Yordan Alvarez Yordan Alvarez Set for spring debut next week Thu, Feb 26, 2026, 9:31 AM Astros manager Joe Espada said Thursday that Alvarez will make his Grapefruit League debut next week, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports. Analysis: Alvarez is being eased into game action this spring following last year's injury issues, but he is considered fully healthy. The Astros plan for the slugger to spend most of his time in the designated-hitter slot this season in hopes that it will help keep him healthy, but Alvarez should still see the occasional start in left field.
Jason Alexander Jason Alexander Hit hard in spring debut Wed, Feb 25, 2026, 9:00 AM Alexander allowed four runs on five hits and a walk across two-thirds of an inning in Tuesday's Grapefruit League matchup with the Mets. He struck out one. Analysis: It was a disastrous start to the spring for Alexander, who gave up back-to-back one-out singles before Mike Tauchman smacked a three-run homer in the first inning. Alexander then gave up a solo shot to Ronny Mauricio with two outs, followed by a single and a walk, before he was ultimately pulled. Alexander served as a swingman for Houston after he was acquired off waivers from the A's in May. The right-hander posted a 4.77 ERA with a 1.37 WHIP and 65:26 K:BB across 77.1 innings between the Astros and Athletics. Alexander will likely start the year with Triple-A Sugar Land if he can't crack the Opening Day bullpen.
Yainer Diaz Yainer Diaz Return confirmed Tue, Feb 24, 2026, 10:34 AM Diaz (foot) will be the designated hitter Wednesday and will start at catcher in Friday's Grapefruit League game, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports. Analysis: Diaz was delayed due to a foot sprain suffered in the Dominican Winter League, but he isn't too far behind, as he's scheduled to catch in a game before the end of February. Cesar Salazar is Diaz's only backup, so there should be ample playing time available for the latter once he puts the foot sprain behind him.
Yordan Alvarez Yordan Alvarez Spring debut TBD Tue, Feb 24, 2026, 10:30 AM Alvarez will not make his spring debut until "a little bit later" due to normal buildup, per manager Joe Espada, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports. Analysis: Carlos Correa and Christian Walker are slated to make their debuts Thursday, with Jose Altuve debuting Friday and Alvarez debuting sometime after that. Alvarez is discounted in fantasy drafts this year due to his injury issues in 2025, so it will be worth tracking how long his spring debut is delayed.
AJ Blubaugh AJ Blubaugh Competing for final rotation spot Mon, Feb 23, 2026, 10:36 AM Blubaugh is a candidate to fill one of the Astros' final two rotation spots, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports. Analysis: Houston will open the year with a six-man rotation to smooth Tatsuya Imai's transition from the NPB. Per Rome, Spencer Arrighetti and Lance McCullers are the early favorites to claim the final two spots, though Blubaugh, along with Ryan Weiss and Peter Lambert, remains in the mix and could bolster his case with a strong spring. Blubaugh was impressive as a rookie in 2025, posting a 1.69 ERA with a 0.88 WHIP and 35 strikeouts across 32 innings. Even if he doesn't crack the rotation out of camp, Blubaugh figures to make the Opening Day roster as a bullpen option.
Kai-Wei Teng Kai-Wei Teng Competing for bullpen spot Mon, Feb 23, 2026, 10:27 AM Teng has impressed the Astros' staff early in spring, giving him a chance to make the Opening Day roster, per Chandler Rome of The Athletic. Analysis: Per Rome, Houston has been impressed by Teng's ability to record swinging strikes "with multiple breaking balls". The right-hander was traded to the Astros in late January after posting a 6.37 ERA across 29.2 innings with San Francisco last year. Teng's ability to provide multiple innings out of the bullpen is certainly viewed as an asset, as Houston plans to open the season with a six-man rotation. Their middle relief depth has already been tested, as Enyel De Los Santos (knee) has yet to resume throwing, opening the door for Teng to claim a roster spot.
Bryan Abreu Bryan Abreu Could open year as closer Mon, Feb 23, 2026, 10:17 AM Abreu could start the season as Houston's closer, with Josh Hader's (bicep) status unclear, per Chandler Rome of The Athletic. Analysis: Hader has been limited to playing catch off flat ground thus far in spring, leaving his availability for Opening Day in doubt. If Hader does ultimately start the year on the IL, Abreu would be the clear choice to assume closing duties. The right-hander has been excellent as a setup man for the Astros, posting a combined 2.30 ERA over his last four seasons. Abreu logged 25 holds and a career-high seven saves in 2025.
Mike Burrows Mike Burrows Sharp in spring debut Mon, Feb 23, 2026, 9:35 AM Burrows pitched two innings in Sunday's Grapefruit League matchup against the Cardinals, allowing no runs on one hit and a walk while striking out two. Analysis: It was an encouraging Astros debut for Burrows, who got the start against a St. Louis lineup that featured some projected Opening Day starters. Burrows, who joined Houston via trade in December, is coming off a solid rookie season with the Pirates, where he posted a 3.94 ERA with a 1.24 WHIP and 9.1 K/9 across 96 innings. The right-hander is expected to slot into the middle of a new-look Astros' rotation.
Nate Pearson Nate Pearson Still ramping up after surgery Mon, Feb 23, 2026, 8:49 AM Pearson (elbow) is still in a velocity ramp-up progression and might not be ready for Opening Day, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports. Analysis: The Astros aren't sure whether Pearson will be able to appear in Grapefruit League games, pointing to a likely stint on the injured list to begin the season. Pearson will be stretched out as a starting pitcher, but he does not have minor-league options remaining, so his role once he's healthy could be dependent on the Astros' needs at the time.
Josh Hader Josh Hader Might not be ready for Opening Day Mon, Feb 23, 2026, 8:41 AM Hader (biceps) could begin the season on the injured list, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports. Analysis: The Astros have not ruled Hader out for Opening Day as he works his way back from left biceps inflammation. However, the closer is not included in the team's roster projection by Rome, who writes that it's "difficult to envision" the Astros rushing Hader back for the opener. Hader is currently limited to playing light catch on flat ground and it's unclear when he'll be allowed to throw off a mound again. If Hader does need to miss time, Bryan Abreu would assume the closer role for the Astros.
CJ Alexander CJ Alexander Latches on with Astros Wed, Feb 18, 2026, 4:36 PM Alexander signed a minor-league contract with the Astros on Tuesday. Analysis: Alexander spent nearly all of 2025 at Triple-A, slashing .254/.355/.450 across 462 total plate appearances with three organizations. He'll now begin the 2026 campaign in the Astros' farm system and is again likely to spend most of the year at Triple-A Sugar Land.
Josh Hader Josh Hader Plays catch Wednesday Wed, Feb 18, 2026, 11:41 AM Hader (biceps) played catch out to 90 feet Wednesday, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports. Analysis: Hader is still in the early stages of his throwing program after he was briefly shut down earlier this month when he experienced inflammation in his left biceps. Prior to that, Hader missed the final month and a half of the 2025 season while recovering from a left shoulder strain, but he appeared to have a normal offseason before the biceps issue cropped up following his fourth bullpen session of the winter, per Chandler Rome of The Athletic. Hader still has a chance of completing his throwing program in advance of Opening Day, but if he suffers a setback or otherwise requires a brief stint on the injured list to begin the season, Bryan Abreu would likely rank as the top option for saves out of the Houston bullpen.
Colton Gordon Colton Gordon Uphill battle to make team Tue, Feb 17, 2026, 11:52 AM Gordon is likely to open the season with Triple-A Sugar Land, Matt Kawahara of The Houston Chronicle reports. Analysis: Gordon will start the Astros' Grapefruit League opener Saturday against Washington, though the left-hander is one of seven pitchers competing for Houston's final rotation spot. Gordon appeared in 20 MLB games, including 14 starts, as a swingman last season, posting a 5.34 ERA with a 1.42 WHIP and 7.5 K/9 across 86 innings.
Cavan Biggio Cavan Biggio Recovering from elbow scope Mon, Feb 16, 2026, 12:04 PM Biggio said Monday that he's about 2-to-3 weeks away from being ready to play in Grapefruit League games while he works his way back from offseason arthroscopic surgery on his right elbow, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports. Analysis: Biggio will be attending big-league camp after signing a minor-league deal with the Astros on Sunday, but he'll be behind Houston's other position players early in spring training while he completes his post-surgery ramp-up program. Assuming he's able to play in games by early March, Biggio should keep himself in the mix for a utility spot on the Astros' Opening Day roster.
Isaac Paredes Isaac Paredes Seeing time at second base Mon, Feb 16, 2026, 10:57 AM Paredes was spotted playing second base during infield drills Monday and is expected to get reps at different positions throughout spring training, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports. Analysis: Paredes missed two months last season with a hamstring tear, leading to the Astros' re-acquisition of Carlos Correa. With Correa expected to man third base in 2026, Paredes enters spring training as the odd man out in a crowded Houston infield. While a trade remains possible and would probably be the best outcome for Paredes from a fantasy perspective, the Astros appear to be testing him out as a utility option. Second base could ultimately be Paredes' best path towards playing time, as manager Joe Espada has indicated he wants to give Jose Altuve some more rest this season. Paredes appeared in 102 games last year, posting an .810 OPS with 20 home runs and 53 RBI.
Jose Altuve Jose Altuve Focusing on second base this spring Mon, Feb 16, 2026, 8:55 AM Astros manager Joe Espada said Monday that Altuve will spend most of spring training working exclusively at second base, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports. Analysis: Altuve was the Astros' Opening Day left fielder last season and wound up splitting his time pretty evenly between left field, second base and designated hitter. This season, however, he appears slated to return to his natural second base position on an everyday basis. Zach Cole looks like the favorite to see most of the reps in left field for Houston.
Jose Altuve Jose Altuve Healthy to start spring Sun, Feb 15, 2026, 11:00 PM Altuve (foot) is healthy to start spring training and is expected to serve as the Astros' primary second baseman this season, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports. Analysis: Altuve dealt with a rocky transition to left field to start the 2025 campaign and finished the year with a nagging foot injury, resulting in a .265 batting average, the lowest of his career apart from the 2020 shortened season. Now healthy and back at second base, Altuve will look to rebound in 2026. Manager Joe Espada emphasized the 35-year-old Altuve's health earlier in the offseason, stating that he needs to "help Jose have the right amount of time to be off his feet." With Houston's current surplus of infielders, it seems likely that Altuve will at least play fewer than the 155 games he did in 2025.