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Victor Caratini Victor Caratini Drawing third straight start Wed, Sep 17, 2025, 5:27 PM Caratini will start at designated hitter and bat fifth in Wednesday's game against the Rangers. Analysis: Caratini had initially been serving as a part-time player upon recovering from a concussion and getting activated from the 7-day injured list Sept. 3, but he'll be making his third consecutive start Wednesday. The significant left ankle sprain that Yordan Alvarez suffered in Monday's 6-3 win over Texas has created an opening in the everyday lineup, though Caratini could be at risk of seeing his playing time get cut if Isaac Paredes (hamstring) returns from the 60-day IL this weekend.
Chas McCormick Chas McCormick Managing side injury Wed, Sep 17, 2025, 5:02 PM Astros manager Joe Espada said Wednesday that McCormick hasn't played for Triple-A Sugar Land since last Thursday due to a side injury, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports. Analysis: The severity of the injury isn't clear, though to this point McCormick has yet to be placed on Sugar Land's injured list. The 30-year-old has struggled to a .210/.279/.290 slash line in 66 big-league games this year and was demoted to Triple-A in early September.
Isaac Paredes Isaac Paredes Could return this weekend Wed, Sep 17, 2025, 4:43 PM Manager Joe Espada said Wednesday that Paredes (hamstring) is recovering well and will be re-evaluated in the next day or two to determine whether he'll be able to come off the injured list this weekend versus the Mariners, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports. Analysis: The third baseman has been on the shelf nearly two months due to a hamstring strain but appears to be closing in on his return from the injured list. Paredes could be eased back into things as the designated hitter, with Espada indicating that the 26-year-old will be asked to run less than full speed on the basepaths.
AJ Blubaugh AJ Blubaugh Racks up sevens K's in short start Tue, Sep 16, 2025, 11:26 PM Blubaugh didn't factor into the decision against the Rangers on Tuesday, allowing two hits and one walk while striking out seven across three scoreless innings. Analysis: Blubaugh was electric out of the gate, striking out each of the first four batters he faced and racking up seven punchouts across just nine outs recorded before giving way to Colton Gordon, who handled the middle innings. The right-hander has been outstanding in September, working 11 consecutive scoreless innings with 16 strikeouts and four walks. The rookie now carries a 2.16 ERA, 0.92 WHIP and 32:7 K:BB across 25 innings this season and is slated to make his next start against the Athletics next week.
Yordan Alvarez Yordan Alvarez Managing 'pretty significant' sprain Tue, Sep 16, 2025, 4:26 PM Manager Joe Espada said Tuesday that Alvarez has a "pretty significant" left ankle sprain and will be "out for a while," though the Astros won't be placing him on the injured list, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports. Analysis: The description of the injury makes it sound as though Alvarez won't be retaking the field anytime soon, but Houston apparently doesn't feel the need to place the slugger on the IL with the expanded rosters for September. Should the Astros change their mind and backdate an IL move, Alvarez could be reinstated as early as Sept. 26. Regardless of the 28-year-old's roster status, Alvarez won't be back in the lineup for Houston in the immediate future.
Yordan Alvarez Yordan Alvarez Out of lineup Tuesday Tue, Sep 16, 2025, 3:42 PM Alvarez (ankle) is not in the lineup for Tuesday's game against the Rangers. Analysis: Alvarez sprained his left ankle in Monday's win over the Rangers and was spotted leaving the clubhouse on crutches and wearing a walking boot. While it's no surprise he's absent from Tuesday's lineup, there's still no word on the results of an MRI the slugger had on the ankle. The Astros have Jesus Sanchez in left field and Yainer Diaz at designated hitter Tuesday.
Lance McCullers Jr. Lance McCullers Jr. Unlikely to return in September Tue, Sep 16, 2025, 8:26 AM Astros general manager Dana Brown said Sunday that McCullers (hand) isn't expected to return from the 15-day injured list before the end of the regular season, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports. "There's a chance that this is the last that we've seen of him," Brown said. "Is it possible he could get back for the last couple games? There's probably an outside chance, but highly unlikely." Analysis: McCullers was placed on the IL on Friday due to right hand soreness, and while his injury doesn't appear to be considered serious, he looks like he'll need more than the minimum 15 days to move past the issue. Brown noted that McCullers' "name will come up" in discussions about the Astros' roster for a potential postseason run, but given how the 31-year-old righty performed as a reliever after losing his spot in the rotation in late August, it's difficult to envision Houston turning to him in the playoffs. McCullers was charged with five runs (three earned) on six hits and four walks over four innings across his three low-leverage relief appearances prior to landing on the IL.
Bryan Abreu Bryan Abreu Shaky in sixth save Mon, Sep 15, 2025, 10:20 PM Abreu allowed two hits and a walk in a scoreless inning to earn the save in Monday's 6-3 win over the Rangers. Analysis: Abreu erased his first mistake with a double play, then put two more runners on base before ending the game with another groundball out. He's allowed multiple baserunners in four of his last six appearances, allowing a total of eight runs over 5.2 innings in that span. Despite the recent struggles, he continues to serve as the fill-in closer while Josh Hader (shoulder) is out. Abreu has a 2.42 ERA, 1.15 WHIP and 101:29 K:BB with six saves and 25 holds over 67 innings this season.
Jason Alexander Jason Alexander Falls short of five-inning mark Mon, Sep 15, 2025, 10:17 PM Alexander allowed three runs (one earned) on five hits and a walk while striking out five over 4.2 innings in a no-decision versus the Rangers on Monday. Analysis: Alexander allowed all three runs in the fifth inning, allowing Texas to briefly gain a 3-2 lead before Zach Cole restored Houston's advantage a half-inning later. This was the first time since July 29 that Alexander failed to finish five innings, as he's largely been a reliable part of the Astros' rotation in the second half. He's now at a 4.04 ERA, 1.30 WHIP and 60:24 K:BB through 71.1 innings over 16 appearances (11 starts) between the Astros and the Athletics this year. He's tentatively projected for a home start versus the Mariners this weekend.
AJ Blubaugh AJ Blubaugh Slated for spot start Mon, Sep 15, 2025, 10:01 PM Blubaugh will start Tuesday's game against the Rangers, Julia Morales of AT&T SportsNet Southwest reports. Analysis: Blubaugh worked 3.1 frames during Tuesday's matchup against Toronto, so he should be able to provide some length in his upcoming start despite working only one inning Friday in Atlanta. He's made four appearances for Houston through the first few weeks of September, firing eight scoreless innings while striking out nine and walking three.
Yordan Alvarez Yordan Alvarez Set for MRI Mon, Sep 15, 2025, 9:55 PM Alvarez is scheduled to undergo an MRI on his left ankle Tuesday, Julia Morales of AT&T SportsNet Southwest reports. Analysis: The results of Alvarez's imaging will presumably determine whether he'll require a stint on the injured list. He exited Monday's matchup against the Rangers after slipping on home plate and was later diagnosed with a left ankle sprain. It's also worth noting that he was spotted leaving the clubhouse on crutches and wearing a walking boot, per Chandler Rome of The Athletic. Zach Cole would be next in line for chances in left field if Alvarez is ultimately forced to the IL.
Yordan Alvarez Yordan Alvarez Suffers ankle sprain Mon, Sep 15, 2025, 8:02 PM Alvarez left Monday's game against Texas with a left ankle sprain, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports. Analysis: Alvarez suffered the injury while crossing home plate and was unable to continue. The club has yet to comment on whether he'll require a trip to the injured list, though more information on his availability moving forward should come to light over the next day or so.
Yordan Alvarez Yordan Alvarez Goes down with leg injury Mon, Sep 15, 2025, 7:32 PM Alvarez left Monday's game against the Rangers after appearing to suffer a left leg injury while running the bases, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports. Analysis: Alvarez blew through a stop sign at third base and ended up scoring, but he looked to tweak his left leg while stepping on home plate and struggled to make it off the field under his own power. He was officially removed from the matchup in the top of the second inning. Alvarez will be considered day-to-day until the team has more information on the severity of his injury. The Astros deployed Zach Cole in right field and bumped Jesus Sanchez to left as a result.
Mauricio Dubon Mauricio Dubon Back on bench Monday Mon, Sep 15, 2025, 5:09 PM Dubon is out of the lineup for Monday's game against the Rangers. Analysis: Dubon had started in three of the last four games and five of the past seven contests, but he'll likely be in line for a reduction in playing time over the final two weeks of the regular season now that Houston has most of its key position players available. He filled in for a banged-up Jose Altuve (foot) at the keystone in Sunday's 8-3 loss to Atlanta, but Altuve will be back in the lineup Monday.
Jose Altuve Jose Altuve Rejoining lineup Monday Mon, Sep 15, 2025, 3:13 PM Altuve (foot) will start at second base and bat cleanup in Monday's game against the Rangers, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports. Analysis: Altuve was held out for Sunday's 8-3 loss to Atlanta after he was still experiencing soreness on the bottom of his right foot following his early exit a day earlier, but the one start off appears to have provided sufficient healing time for the 35-year-old. The Astros' decision to use him at second base rather than at designated hitter in his return to the lineup supports the notion that he's feeling healthy heading into a six-game homestand against the Rangers and Mariners this week.
Cam Smith Cam Smith Smacks ninth homer Mon, Sep 15, 2025, 8:52 AM Smith went 1-for-3 with a solo home run Sunday against Atlanta. Analysis: Smith has fallen into a short-side platoon, with Sunday marking his first start in Houston's last five games. He homered for the first time since Aug. 24 and for only the second time since June 28. While he's lost playing time and hasn't delivered much fantasy-relevant production of late, Smith has held his own with a 92 wRC+ across 473 plate appearances in his age-22 season.
Isaac Paredes Isaac Paredes Chance to return next weekend Sun, Sep 14, 2025, 8:22 PM Astros general manager Dana Brown said that Paredes (hamstring) could be activated from the 60-day injured list during next weekend's series versus the Mariners, though Brown conceded that Paredes' return by that time "could be a long shot," Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports. Analysis: Paredes has been on the shelf since July 20 due to a significant right hamstring strain, but because he's elected to forgo surgery, he still has a chance at making it back on the field before the end of the regular season. The 26-year-old has been steadily ramping up at the Astros' facility in Florida in recent weeks, taking part in hitting, running and defensive progressions and most notably facing hitters in live batting practice Saturday. Under normal circumstances, Paredes would likely require an extended rehab assignment prior to being activated, but with the Astros in tight battles in both the AL West and wild-card race, he could bypass a minor-league stint and instead get built up through live at-bats prior to his reinstatement. Brown noted that because Paredes is further behind with his running and defensive work than his hitting at this stage of his rehab program, Paredes would be used as a designated hitter upon his return from the IL.
Framber Valdez Framber Valdez Falls to Atlanta Sun, Sep 14, 2025, 3:48 PM Valdez (12-10) took the loss Sunday against Atlanta, allowing five runs on six hits and four walks over four innings. He struck out two. Analysis: Valdez's rough stretch continued Sunday -- the southpaw is now 1-6 with a 6.41 ERA in his last eight outings. Overall, Valdez's ERA sits at 3.59 through 29 starts (180.1 innings) this season with a 1.22 WHIP and 173:62 K:BB. Valdez will look to right the ship his next time out, currently scheduled for next week at home against Seattle.
Jesus Sanchez Jesus Sanchez Sitting after five straight starts Sun, Sep 14, 2025, 12:23 PM Sanchez is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against Atlanta. Analysis: With left-hander Joey Wentz on the hill for Atlanta, the left-handed-hitting Sanchez will take a seat after he went 0-for-15 with four walks, three stolen bases, one RBI and three runs while starting in each of the Astros' last five games. He'll give way to Cam Smith in right field.
Jose Altuve Jose Altuve Not starting Sunday Sun, Sep 14, 2025, 11:17 AM Altuve (foot) is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against Atlanta, and manager joe Espada said that the 35-year-old is still feeling "pretty sore" as he continues to be evaluated by team doctors, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports. Analysis: The 35-year-old exited Saturday's 6-2 win due to right foot discomfort and continues to manage the injury Sunday. Altuve will miss at least one start, and it remains to be seen if he'll be available off the bench for the series finale. Yordan Alvarez will serve as Houston's designated hitter Sunday, and Zach Cole will pick up a start in left field.