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Bennett Sousa Bennett Sousa Nabs third save Wednesday
Wed, Jul 2, 2025, 10:45 PM
Sousa secured the save in Wednesday's 5-3 win over the Rockies, allowing one run on three hits and no walks in the ninth inning. He struck out one.
Analysis: Closer Josh Hader was presumably unavailable after notching the save in Tuesday's victory over Colorado, opening up a rare save opportunity for Sousa. Through 32.1 frames, Sousa has emerged as a weapon out of Houston's bullpen with a 1.95 ERA, 0.87 WHIP and 40:7 K:BB. The southpaw has also converted each of his three save chances to go with two holds this year, but he should continue to serve primarily as a middle reliever and setup man going forward. |
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Victor Caratini Victor Caratini Sitting Wednesday
Wed, Jul 2, 2025, 5:31 PM
Caratini is not in the Astros' starting lineup against the Rockies on Wednesday, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports.
Analysis: Caratini will begin Wednesday's game on the bench after going 2-for-4 with a grand slam against Colorado on Tuesday. Shay Whitcomb will serve as the designated hitter and bat eighth. |
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Yordan Alvarez Yordan Alvarez Moved to 60-day IL
Wed, Jul 2, 2025, 4:24 PM
The Astros transferred Alvarez (hand) to the 60-day injured list Wednesday, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports.
Analysis: The move is a procedural one that makes room on the Astros' 40-man roster for Zack Short, whose contract was selected by Houston from Triple-A Sugar Land. Alvarez continues to work through a hand injury that landed him on the injured list in early May, and even with his move to the 60-day IL, he will be eligible to return to the big club once he's been cleared to do so. |
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Zack Short Zack Short Selected to active roster
Wed, Jul 2, 2025, 4:23 PM
The Astros selected Short's contract from Triple-A Sugar Land on Wednesday, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.
Analysis: Short has spent the entire season in Triple-A, slashing .211/.356/.402 across 320 plate appearances. He'll now join the big-league roster to replace the injured Luis Guillorme (hamstring), though Short isn't expected to make many starts in the infield. Yordan Alvarez was transferred to the 60-day IL to clear a 40-man spot. |
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Luis Guillorme Luis Guillorme Placed on injured list
Wed, Jul 2, 2025, 4:19 PM
The Astros placed Guillorme on the 10-day injured list Wednesday with a right hamstring strain, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.
Analysis: Guillorme has struggled since joining the big club in mid-June, going just 3-for-20 at the plate across 12 games. He'll now be forced to miss at least the next 10 days while his hamstring heals, and the Astros will bring up Zack Short to fill the open spot in Houston's infield unit. |
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Christian Walker Christian Walker Trio of hits in win
Wed, Jul 2, 2025, 7:59 AM
Walker went 3-for-4 with one RBI in Tuesday's victory over Colorado.
Analysis: Walker tallied his fourth three-hit game of the season Tuesday. A high-profile offseason addition, the first baseman has struggled to find his footing in his first year with Houston, slashing .220/.283/.362 with 23 extra-base hits and 38 RBI across 82 games. While he made solid contact Tuesday, Walker has yet to come close to matching the power he displayed during his eight seasons in Arizona, where he posted a .464 slugging percentage. |
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Victor Caratini Victor Caratini Belts grand slam
Wed, Jul 2, 2025, 7:49 AM
Caratini went 2-for-4 with a grand slam in Tuesday's win over the Rockies.
Analysis: Caratini helped power the Astros to a win Tuesday with a third-inning grand slam, his seventh home run of the season. The veteran catcher has been hovering around league average at the dish in 2025, slashing .246/.303/.402 with 14 extra-base hits, 23 RBI and a 97 OPS+ in 57 games. |
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Josh Hader Josh Hader Claims 24th save
Wed, Jul 2, 2025, 7:42 AM
Hader picked up the save Tuesday against the Rockies. He allowed one run on two hits while striking out two over one inning.
Analysis: The southpaw surrendered a solo shot to Hunter Goodman but still closed out his league-leading 24th save of the season Tuesday. Hader has been dominant in 2025, converting every save opportunity and notching six straight saves in his last six outings. On the year, the veteran closer owns a stellar 1.86 ERA and 0.72 WHIP through 38.2 innings across 37 appearances. |
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Colton Gordon Colton Gordon Settles for no-decision
Wed, Jul 2, 2025, 7:25 AM
Gordon did not factor into the decision Tuesday, allowing four runs on nine hits and two walks over 4.2 innings against the Rockies. He struck out three.
Analysis: The right-hander gave up a first-inning homer to Hunter Goodman and went on to allow a season-high nine hits, but managed to limit the damage enough to help the Astros secure a win Tuesday. Gordon has been steady, if unspectacular, through nine starts this season, posting a 3-1 record with a 4.37 ERA and 1.41 WHIP over 45.1 innings. |
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Yordan Alvarez Yordan Alvarez Suffers setback
Tue, Jul 1, 2025, 5:59 PM
Alvarez was shut down from all activities after reporting renewed soreness in his hand while taking swings Monday, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.
Analysis: Alvarez's fractured right hand has kept him on the injured list since early May. He seemed to be closing in on a return -- potentially as soon as this weekend -- but his setback throws a wrench in the Astros' plans. The 28-year-old slugger is due to visit a specialist within the next couple of days, at which point the team will know more regarding his status and how far away he may be from activation. |
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Shay Whitcomb Shay Whitcomb Recalled from Triple-A
Tue, Jul 1, 2025, 3:56 PM
The Astros recalled Whitcomb from Triple-A Sugar Land on Tuesday, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.
Analysis: He's absorbing the roster spot vacated by the injured Jeremy Pena (rib). Whitcomb is hitless in nine at-bats with the Astros this season but has put up a .942 OPS with 19 home runs in 264 plate appearances with Sugar Land. The 26-year-old could be mixed in at a few positions in Houston. |
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Shay Whitcomb Shay Whitcomb Expected to join active roster
Mon, Jun 30, 2025, 5:51 PM
The Astros are expected to recall Whitcomb from Triple-A Sugar Land, Ari Alexander of KPRC 2 Houston reports.
Analysis: Whitcomb is slated to fill Jeremy Pena's (rib) spot on the 26-man roster after Pena was placed on the injured list. Whitcomb is hitless in nine at-bats with the Astros this season, but he owns a .942 OPS with 19 homers in 264 plate appearances with Sugar Land. He's played every position except catcher, pitcher and center field this season, but Whitcomb's easiest path to at-bats will likely come at shortstop or left field. |
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Jeremy Pena Jeremy Pena Lands on IL with fractured rib
Mon, Jun 30, 2025, 11:52 AM
The Astros placed Pena on the 10-day injured list Monday due to a small rib fracture on his left side.
Analysis: Pena suffered the injury when he was hit by a pitch in Friday's 7-4 win over the Cubs. Initial X-rays came back negative, but additional imaging and a CT scan revealed that a fracture. The Astros haven't provided a timeline for Pena's return, but he'll almost certainly be on the shelf for longer than the minimum 10 days. Mauricio Dubon is likely to serve as the Astros' primary shortstop while Pena is sidelined. |
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Jose Altuve Jose Altuve Clubs homer
Sun, Jun 29, 2025, 8:57 PM
Altuve went 1-for-4 with a two-run home run during Sunday's 2-0 win over the Cubs.
Analysis: Altuve provided the only runs of the game, taking Jameson Taillon yard for a two-run shot in the fifth inning. The long ball was Altuve's 13th of the campaign, which is tied for the 19th most in the American League. He's 22-for-91 (.240) with four home runs and an 11:16 BB:K over 25 games in June. |
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Josh Hader Josh Hader Notches 23rd save
Sun, Jun 29, 2025, 8:56 PM
Hader picked up the save Sunday against the Cubs, striking out one during a perfect ninth inning.
Analysis: Hader notched his fifth save of the last seven days, vaulting him into a tie with Robert Suarez for the most saves in MLB. In his last 14 appearances, Hader has a 1.98 ERA and a 22:1 K:BB across 13.2 innings. |
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Framber Valdez Framber Valdez Blanks Cubs for ninth win
Sun, Jun 29, 2025, 8:56 PM
Valdez (9-4) picked up the win Sunday against the Cubs, allowing five hits and two walks with six strikeouts over six scoreless innings.
Analysis: Valdez posted a second straight scoreless start, and he's now gone 13 consecutive innings without allowing a run. His ERA is down to 2.72 on the year, which would be his best since 2018. In his last seven starts, Valdez is 6-0 with a 1.57 ERA and a 49:20 K:BB across 46 innings. His next start is tentatively scheduled to come against the Dodgers next weekend. |
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Logan VanWey Logan VanWey Healthy again at Triple-A
Sun, Jun 29, 2025, 6:43 PM
VanWey (undisclosed) struck out a batter and allowed no hits and no walks over a scoreless inning of relief for Triple-A Sugar Land on Saturday after being reinstated from the 7-day injured list.
Analysis: VanWey was out of action for Sugar Land for about a month before he was cleared to rejoin the Triple-A bullpen. The 25-year-old reliever was previously up with the Astros earlier this season and gave up six earned runs on 15 hits and three walks over 8.2 innings. |
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Chas McCormick Chas McCormick Live at-bats coming
Sun, Jun 29, 2025, 2:31 PM
McCormick (oblique) will report to the Astros' spring facility in Florida to face live pitching this week, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.
Analysis: The 30-year-old landed on the shelf in late May due to an oblique strain but is now nearing the final stages of his rehab program. Manager Joe Espada indicated previously that McCormick would require a rehab assignment before returning from the 10-day injured list, which will likely be the next step if the outfielder faces live pitching with no issues. |
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Victor Caratini Victor Caratini Resting Sunday
Sun, Jun 29, 2025, 1:39 PM
Caratini is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Cubs.
Analysis: Caratini will rest after drawing starts at designated hitter Friday and catcher Saturday. Yainer Diaz will serve as the Astros' catcher Sunday, while third baseman Isaac Paredes gets a day out of the infield and steps in at DH. |
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Yordan Alvarez Yordan Alvarez Closing in on return
Sun, Jun 29, 2025, 1:23 PM
Astros general manager Dana Brown said Sunday that Alvarez (hand) has a chance to return from the 10-day injured list for next weekend's series against the Dodgers, though Brown added that is "not the most likely scenario," Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.
Analysis: Alvarez has been ramping up his swinging recently and will report to the Astros' spring facility in Florida this week to face live pitching, per Brian McTaggart of MLB.com. The veteran slugger appears to be closing in on his return from the IL, with next weekend's three-game series in Los Angeles being an unlikely best-case scenario for his activation. |
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