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Hunter Brown Hunter Brown Beginning rehab assignment Sunday
Fri, May 22, 2026, 11:51 AM
Brown (shoulder) will begin a rehab assignment with Double-A Corpus Christi on Sunday, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.
Analysis: Brown threw live batting practice earlier this week and is ready to work in game action, as he works his way back from a shoulder strain. The right-hander isn't eligible to return from the 60-day injured list until the end of this month, so he's likely to make at least a pair of rehab starts to build his arm back up before rejoining the Houston rotation. Brown last pitched March 31 against the Red Sox. He posted a 0.84 ERA and 17:6 K:BB across 10.2 inning in his first two starts of the season before being shut down. |
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Brice Matthews Brice Matthews Heading to bench Friday
Fri, May 22, 2026, 11:49 AM
Matthews is out of the lineup for Friday's game against the Cubs.
Analysis: Matthews is slashing just .197/.242/.328 with a 27.3 percent strikeout rate in May, and though the Astros lost Jose Altuve (oblique) to the injured list Monday, the recent activations of Jake Meyers and Jeremy Pena have resulted in the struggling Matthews losing out on some playing time. The 24-year-old will hit the bench for the second time in three games while the Astros go with Braden Shewmake at second base. In addition to the keystone, Matthews remains a candidate to see playing time in the corner outfield, though Houston also has Cam Smith, Zach Cole and Zach Dezenzo vying for spots in left or right field for any given game. |
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Zach Dezenzo Zach Dezenzo Moving to bench Friday
Fri, May 22, 2026, 11:43 AM
Dezenzo is out of the lineup for Friday's game against the Cubs.
Analysis: The Astros will go with Zach Cole and Cam Smith as their corner outfielders for the series opener, ending Dezenzo's streak of six consecutive starts in left field during which the 26-year-old went 5-for-19 with a double, a walk and run. The recent return of Jake Meyers from the injured list has left five outfielders competing for three spots. Dezenzo, Cole, Smith and Brice Matthews are all in the mix, although Matthews is also battling Braden Shewmake for starts at second base. |
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Alimber Santa Alimber Santa Joins big-league roster
Fri, May 22, 2026, 11:20 AM
The Astros selected Santa's contract from Triple-A Sugar Land on Friday.
Analysis: To make room for the 23-year-old on the big-league roster, Jayden Murray was optioned to Triple-A. Santa will be looking to make his MLB debut during the Astros' weekend series at Wrigley Field. In 18 games with Sugar Land this season, he logged a 2.37 ERA, 0.90 WHIP and 24:7 K:BB across 19 innings. |
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Jayden Murray Jayden Murray Back to Triple-A
Thu, May 21, 2026, 12:59 PM
The Astros optioned Murray to Triple-A Sugar Land on Thursday, reports Brian McTaggart of MLB.com.
Analysis: The 29-year-old will be replaced by Alimber Santa on Houston's 26-man active roster. Murray struggled in his most recent appearance Monday against Minnesota, allowing three earned runs on four hits and two walks. He has given up at least two earned runs in four of his seven appearances with Houston this season. |
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Cody Bolton Cody Bolton Outrighted to Triple-A
Thu, May 21, 2026, 12:59 PM
The Astros outrighted Bolton to Triple-A Sugar Land on Thursday.
Analysis: Bolton is no longer on the 40-man roster, but he will remain in the organization after passing through waivers unclaimed. The 27-year-old has posted a 5.40 ERA and 22:14 K:BB over three starts and five relief appearances for Houston this season. |
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Slated for major-league call-up
Wed, May 20, 2026, 6:23 PM
The Astros are expected to call Santa up from Triple-A Sugar Land, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.
Analysis: It appears Santa will be called up to the majors ahead of the Astros' weekend series against the Cubs in Chicago. The move will bolster an Astros bullpen operating without Bennett Sousa (elbow) and Josh Hader (biceps). Santa has appeared in 18 games in Triple-A this season and has a 1.42 ERA, 0.89 WHIP, two saves and a 24:7 K:BB across 19 innings. His first appearance out of the Astros' bullpen will be Santa's major-league debut. |
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Mike Burrows Mike Burrows Hit hard in Wednesday's loss
Wed, May 20, 2026, 3:56 PM
Burrows (2-6) took the loss Wednesday as the Astros fell 4-1 to the Twins, giving up four runs on six hits and three walks over six innings. He struck out two.
Analysis: The right-hander didn't get much support from the Houston offense, but Burrows also got hit hard as half the hits off him went for extra bases, including homers by Victor Caratini and Ryan Kreidler. It's the second straight start in which he's served up multiple long balls, and the fifth time in 10 outings on the season. Burrows will carry a 5.75 ERA, 1.53 WHIP and 48:20 K:BB through 56.1 innings into his next start, which lines up to come up next week during a road series against the Rangers. |
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Hunter Brown Hunter Brown Throws live BP
Wed, May 20, 2026, 12:06 PM
Manager Joe Espada said that Brown (shoulder) topped out at 96 mph during a 22-pitch live batting practice session Tuesday and could begin a rehab assignment as early as this weekend, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.
Analysis: Brown completed his first live batting practice Tuesday as he continues to rehab from a shoulder strain. If the 27-year-old feels good after that session, he should begin a rehab assignment over the weekend as he continues to target mid-June for his return to big-league action. |
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Zach Cole Zach Cole Heading to bench Wednesday
Wed, May 20, 2026, 10:26 AM
Cole is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Twins.
Analysis: The left-handed-hitting Cole will retreat to the bench for the second time in the series, this time sitting against right-hander Joe Ryan after he had been left out of the lineup Monday against southpaw Kendry Rojas. Though Jake Meyers recently returned from the injured list and will likely serve as Houston's everyday center fielder, playing time is up for grabs at the other two corner-outfield spots. Cole -- who has posted a .638 OPS in 14 games since being called up from Triple-A Sugar Land on May 4 -- will be vying for starts at either corner spot with Zach Dezenzo, Cam Smith and Brice Matthews. |
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Braden Shewmake Braden Shewmake Hitting bench Wednesday
Wed, May 20, 2026, 10:23 AM
Shewmake is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Twins.
Analysis: The Astros will go with Jeremy Pena at shortstop and Brice Matthews at second base in the series finale, bringing an end to Shewmake's run of nine consecutive starts. Since being acquired from the Yankees in late April and being added to the big-league roster, Shewmake is hitting .291 with three home runs and seven RBI through his first 19 games with Houston. With Pena and Jake Meyers recently returning from the injured list to reclaim everyday roles at shortstop and in center field, respectively, Shewmake and Matthews will jockey for playing time at the keystone. |
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Taylor Trammell Taylor Trammell Begins rehab assignment
Wed, May 20, 2026, 8:13 AM
Trammell (groin) began a rehab assignment with Double-A Corpus Christi on Tuesday, going 1-for-4 with a double.
Analysis: It was Trammell's first game in a month, as he's been working his way back from a left groin strain. He shouldn't require too many more rehab at-bats before rejoining the Astros' active roster. Unfortunately for Trammell, with Jake Meyers back healthy, the former is likely looking at a reserve role. |
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Isaac Paredes Isaac Paredes Slaps fifth homer Tuesday
Tue, May 19, 2026, 10:35 PM
Paredes went 1-for-4 with a two-run home run in Tuesday's 2-1 win over the Twins.
Analysis: Paredes accounted for all of Houston's offense with one swing, taking Zebby Matthews deep for a two-run homer in the first inning. The long ball was his fifth of the season and his second in the last four games. On the year, Paredes is batting .250 with a .728 OPS, seven doubles, 20 RBI and 18 runs scored across 182 plate appearances. |
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Bryan Abreu Bryan Abreu Records one-out save vs. Twins
Tue, May 19, 2026, 10:16 PM
Abreu earned the save in Tuesday's 2-1 against the Twins, recording the final out of the game.
Analysis: After Bryan King allowed the potential tying run to reach base with two outs in the ninth inning, Abreu was summoned to close things out. The right-hander added some drama by hitting Luke Keaschall to move the lead runner into scoring position, but he recovered by inducing a game-ending popout from Byron Buxton. The save was his third in as many chances. Abreu has been scoreless over his last six appearances, but his early-season struggles continue to weigh down his overall numbers, as he currently owns a 7.63 ERA and 2.09 WHIP across 15.1 innings. |
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Jason Alexander Jason Alexander Tosses six scoreless Tuesday
Tue, May 19, 2026, 9:41 PM
Alexander (1-0) earned the win Tuesday against the Twins, allowing four hits and one walk while striking out four over six scoreless innings.
Analysis: After being called up from Triple-A Sugar Land on Monday, Alexander was pressed into a start following Lance McCullers being scratched, and the 33-year-old impressed by keeping Minnesota off the board across six innings. The right-hander threw 50 of his 80 pitches for strikes and worked efficiently despite recording just one 1-2-3 inning, never allowing multiple baserunners in a frame. Entering Tuesday, Alexander had allowed five earned runs across his two MLB appearances this season, though he did post a respectable 3.66 ERA in 14 appearances for Houston during the 2025 season. |
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Brice Matthews Brice Matthews Taking seat Tuesday
Tue, May 19, 2026, 5:48 PM
Matthews is out of the lineup for Tuesday's game against the Twins, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.
Analysis: The 29-year-old has been getting regular playing time in the outfield and occasional action at second base, but he may have a reduced role going forward due to Jake Meyers (oblique) coming off the injured list Tuesday. Matthews had a .751 OPS as of May 8, but he's batting .162 (6-for-37) with no extra-base hits across his past 10 contests. |
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Cam Smith Cam Smith Not in Tuesday's lineup
Tue, May 19, 2026, 5:43 PM
Smith is out of the lineup for Tuesday's game against the Twins, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.
Analysis: Smith is in the midst of a 3-for-34 slump and will hit the bench Tuesday for the second time in Houston's past four contests. Zach Dezenzo is manning right field and batting fifth against Minnesota righty Zebby Matthews. |
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Nate Pearson Nate Pearson Returning to bullpen
Tue, May 19, 2026, 5:40 PM
The Astros reinstated Pearson (elbow) from the 15-day injured list Tuesday.
Analysis: Pearson is returning from a rehab assignment after he dealt with soreness in his right elbow that stemmed from an offseason cleanup. He will likely be used primarily as a reliever for the Astros after doing so during his rehab assignment. In a corresponding move, the Astros placed Lance McCullers on the 15-day injured list due to right shoulder inflammation. |
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Shay Whitcomb Shay Whitcomb Sent back to Triple-A
Tue, May 19, 2026, 5:34 PM
The Astros optioned Whitcomb to Triple-A Sugar Land on Tuesday.
Analysis: Whitcomb got just four plate appearances after getting recalled from Triple-A Sugar Land on May 6. He was able to get a RBI single as his lone hit May 8. In a corresponding move Tuesday, Jake Meyers (oblique) was reinstated from the 10-day injured list |
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Jake Meyers Jake Meyers Reinstated, starting Tuesday
Tue, May 19, 2026, 5:29 PM
Meyers (oblique) was reinstated from the 10-day injured list and is starting in center field and batting seventh Tuesday against the Twins, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.
Analysis: Meyers has been sidelined for over a month due to an oblique strain but is back with the Astros after going 1-for-16 during a four-game rehab assignment. The 29-year-old posted a .243/.326/.378 slash line with one homer and one steal in 12 games prior to the injury and should operate as Houston's primary center fielder now that he's healthy. |
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