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Zach Dezenzo Zach Dezenzo Won't be part of Opening Day club
Sun, Mar 22, 2026, 3:34 PM
Astros manager Joe Espada said Sunday that Dezenzo won't be part of the Opening Day roster and will remain at extended spring training to rehab his right elbow injury, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.
Analysis: Dezenzo recently injured his elbow while playing for Team Italy in the World Baseball Classic. Though the elbow hasn't presented any issues for him as a hitter, he'll need to prove that he can throw without limitations before he's cleared for game action. The Astros are likely to place Dezenzo on the 10-day injured list when they set their Opening Day roster Thursday. |
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Peter Lambert Peter Lambert Loses out in bid for roster
Sun, Mar 22, 2026, 3:31 PM
The Astros informed Lambert on Sunday that he won't be included on the Opening Day roster, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.
Analysis: Lambert had attended spring training as a non-roster invitee but made a spirited bid for a spot in Houston's bullpen by turning in a 2.92 ERA and 8:5 K:BB in 12.1 innings during the Grapefruit League. The right-hander's minor-league contract contains an opt-out clause that will allow him to pursue opportunities elsewhere, but Lambert is still deciding whether to become a free agent or stay in the organization and report to Triple-A Sugar Land, per Rome. |
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Taylor Trammell Taylor Trammell Denied Opening Day roster spot
Sun, Mar 22, 2026, 3:27 PM
The Astros reassigned Trammell to minor-league camp Sunday, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.
Analysis: Despite posting a .904 OPS over 45 appearances in the Grapefruit League, Trammell came up short in his bid for a spot on the Opening Day roster. The 28-year-old outfielder is expected to handle an everyday role at Triple-A Sugar Land to begin the season. |
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Cavan Biggio Cavan Biggio Roster bid falls short
Sun, Mar 22, 2026, 3:22 PM
The Astros reassigned Biggio to minor-league camp Sunday, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.
Analysis: Biggio missed a good chunk of camp while recovering from a right elbow scope and was unable to capitalize on his limited Cactus League opportunities, going just 2-for-14 with a 2:6 BB:K over six games. He'll open the season at Triple-A Sugar Land and will look to perform well enough to garner consideration for a call-up to the big club. |
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Mike Burrows Mike Burrows Confirmed for second game of season
Sun, Mar 22, 2026, 10:42 AM
Manager Joe Espada said this weekend that Burrows (lower leg) will start the Astros' second game of the season Friday against the Angels, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports.
Analysis: Burrows was lifted from his final Grapefruit League start Saturday against the Mets after 5.1 innings and 77 pitches and being drilled in the lower left leg by a comebacker, but his removal was seemingly precautionary. The right-hander is stretched out enough to handle a typical starter's workload and should face no restrictions next weekend in what will be his Astros debut. Burrows pitched to a 3.94 ERA and 1.24 WHIP over 96 innings with Pittsburgh last season, but after securing just two victories in his 19 starts, he should have a better chance at capturing wins in 2026 while he's backed by a stronger Houston offense. |
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Enyel De Los Santos Enyel De Los Santos Makes spring debut Friday
Sun, Mar 22, 2026, 10:37 AM
De Los Santos (knee) struck out a batter and allowed one walk and no hits over a scoreless inning of relief Friday in the Astros' 7-4 loss to the Marlins in Grapefruit League play.
Analysis: The reliever made his spring debut after completing his recovery from the right knee strain he suffered early in camp. Manager Joe Espada told Brian McTaggart of MLB.com that De Los Santos is scheduled to pitch again Monday in an exhibition against Triple-A Sugar Land. If all goes well in that outing, De Los Santos should be able to secure a spot in the Opening Day bullpen. |
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Jeremy Pena Jeremy Pena Still in play for Opening Day
Sun, Mar 22, 2026, 9:46 AM
Manager Joe Espada said that Pena (finger) is scheduled to hit again Sunday, and the Astros are still discussing whether he will travel with the team back to Houston in advance of Opening Day, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports.
Analysis: The 28-year-old shortstop was cleared to resume swinging a bat Friday as he continues working his way back from a fracture in the tip of his right ring finger. Pena still has a chance of being cleared for Thursday's season opener versus the Angels, but he'll likely need to face live pitching at some point early this week to avoid a stint on the injured list to begin the season. |
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Mike Burrows Mike Burrows Hit by comebacker
Sat, Mar 21, 2026, 2:02 PM
Burrows was removed from his Grapefruit League start against the Mets on Saturday after getting hit by a comebacker, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.
Analysis: Burrows was immediately taken out of the game after taking a 92-mph groundball off his lower left leg in the sixth inning. His removal may have been precautionary -- especially since he had already thrown 77 pitches -- though the Astros should provide more details on his status in the near future. |
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Jeremy Pena Jeremy Pena Swinging bat
Sat, Mar 21, 2026, 11:28 AM
Pena (finger) began swinging a bat Friday, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.
Analysis: The Astros still haven't ruled Pena out for Opening Day, and his ability to hold/swing a bat without aggravating his fractured finger will likely be a key factor in determining his availability. If the team decides it's best to hold him out, Carlos Correa would presumably slide over to shortstop while Isaac Paredes mans the hot corner. |
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J.P. France J.P. France Won't make Opening Day roster
Sat, Mar 21, 2026, 8:38 AM
France was informed that he will not make the Astros' Opening Day roster, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.
Analysis: France will remain in major-league camp for now, though he'll ultimately open the season with Triple-A Sugar Land. The 30-year-old France was a long shot to make the team out of spring training. The right-hander was limited to just 11.2 innings with Houston in 2025, posting a 3.86 ERA with 13 strikeouts before undergoing shoulder surgery. France could be an option should the Astros need reinforcements in their rotation in 2026. |
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Shay Whitcomb Shay Whitcomb Sent to minors
Fri, Mar 20, 2026, 8:51 PM
The Astros optioned Whitcomb to minor-league camp Friday, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.
Analysis: Whitcomb has slashed .280/.369/.520 over the past two seasons at Triple-A Sugar Land but owns just a .491 OPS in 78 career plate appearances in the majors. He'll officially return to the minors to begin 2026 after posting a .649 OPS in the Grapefruit League, but his extreme defensive versatility will keep the door open for a return to the bigs sometime this year. |
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Bennett Sousa Bennett Sousa Will open season on IL
Thu, Mar 19, 2026, 2:08 PM
Manager Joe Espada announced Thursday that Sousa will begin the regular season on the 15-day injured list due to a left oblique injury, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports.
Analysis: Sousa injured his oblique during his last Grapefruit League appearance on a fielding play. It's another blow to the Houston bullpen, as Sousa will join closer Josh Hader (biceps) on the injured list to open the season. The 30-year-old Sousa pitched in 44 games out of the Astros bullpen last regular season, logging a 2.84 ERA, 1.03 WHIP and 59:15 K:BB across 50.2 innings. |
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Zach Dezenzo Zach Dezenzo Injures elbow during WBC
Wed, Mar 18, 2026, 9:13 AM
Astros manager Joe Espada said Wednesday that Dezenzo won't do any throwing over the next few days after his right elbow flared up while playing for Team Italy in the World Baseball Classic, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.
Analysis: Espada noted that the injury isn't affecting Dezenzo at the plate, so the 25-year-old should still be available as a designated hitter over the Astros' final handful of Grapefruit League games. That said, Yordan Alvarez will be in line to serve as the Astros' primary designated hitter once the regular season gets underway, so Dezenzo will likely need to prove that he's able to throw at full distance and velocity before the end of camp to have a realistic shot at making the Opening Day roster as a backup corner infielder and corner outfielder. |
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Jeremy Pena Jeremy Pena Resumes throwing, will swing soon
Wed, Mar 18, 2026, 9:05 AM
Astros manager Joe Espada said Wednesday that Pena (finger) has resumed throwing and will start swinging a bat with both hands this weekend, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.
Analysis: Pena has been out of action since fracturing the tip of his right ring finger while corralling a groundball for Team Dominican Republic in an exhibition game two weeks ago. The injury kept Pena from playing in the World Baseball Classic, but he was able to resume taking part in limited baseball activities last week and will take another step forward by throwing and swinging the bat. Espada said Wednesday that Pena "has not been ruled out" for Opening Day, but the shortstop's availability for the start of the season will depend on how his injured digit responds to the increased activity over the next few days. Carlos Correa would likely slide over from third base to cover shortstop if Pena needs to miss time to begin the season. |
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Joey Loperfido Joey Loperfido Pushing for starting spot
Mon, Mar 16, 2026, 10:33 AM
Loperfido is in the mix to start the season in Houston's Opening Day outfield, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.
Analysis: Loperfido has put together a strong spring since rejoining the Astros, batting .333 (10-for-30) with an .896 OPS, a home run and two stolen bases across 13 games. Loperfido has seen some time in center field with Jake Meyers reportedly on the trading block. If Meyers does ultimately start the year in Houston, the lefty-batting Loperfido would likely occupy the strong side of a corner outfield platoon. |
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Cristian Javier Cristian Javier Excels in second spring start
Mon, Mar 16, 2026, 10:07 AM
Javier struck out five and allowed two hits and one walk over four scoreless innings Sunday in the Astros' 1-0 win over the Marlins in Grapefruit League play.
Analysis: Taking the hill for his second start of spring training, Javier built up to 56 pitches, spotting 38 of them for strikes while generating 11 whiffs. The right-hander's fastball averaged 92.3 miles per hour on the afternoon, a half tick behind his average from the 2025 season and about a half tick up from the 91.7 mph he averaged during his first start back on March 9, per Brian McTaggart of MLB.com. Javier is expected to make one final Grapefruit League start during the upcoming week before making his first turn of the regular season in the Astros' four-game home series versus the Angels at the end of the month. |
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Jeremy Pena Jeremy Pena Doing limited baseball work
Sun, Mar 15, 2026, 1:43 PM
Pena (finger) said Saturday that he's been swinging a bat with one hand, throwing plyometric balls and fielding groundballs during his rehab program, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.
Analysis: The 28-year-old was diagnosed with a fracture in the tip of his right ring finger in early March, sidelining him for the World Baseball Classic and putting his availability for Opening Day into question. Pena's current participation in baseball activities is encouraging, and at this point, he's just awaiting clearance to throw and swing with both hands. Once fully cleared, the shortstop doesn't expect to need many at-bats before being ready for MLB action, so he still has a chance to be ready by Opening Day. |
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Enyel De Los Santos Enyel De Los Santos Spring debut coming Tuesday
Sun, Mar 15, 2026, 9:21 AM
Astros manager Joe Espada said that De Los Santos (knee) is slated to pitch in a game Tuesday, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.
Analysis: Espada didn't specify whether De Los Santos will be pitching in the Astros' Grapefruit League game against the Pirates that day or in a minor-league game, but either way, it will be the first action of the spring for the 30-year-old righty. De Los Santos has been slowed by a right knee strain suffered at the beginning of camp, but he's since resumed facing hitters and is slated to take part in pitcher's fielding practice Sunday. He shouldn't require much of a ramp-up period and appears on track for Opening Day. |
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Amos Willingham Amos Willingham Cut by Houston
Sun, Mar 15, 2026, 9:17 AM
The Astros reassigned Willingham to minor-league camp Sunday, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.
Analysis: The 27-year-old right-hander made 19 appearances in the big leagues for Washington in 2023-24, but he spent all of 2025 in the minors as a member of the Atlanta organization, logging a 5.17 ERA in 55.2 innings across stops with four different affiliates. After being cut from the Astros' big-league camp, Willingham will likely open the 2026 campaign at Triple-A Sugar Land. |
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Tom Cosgrove Tom Cosgrove Fails to win Opening Day spot
Sun, Mar 15, 2026, 9:15 AM
The Astros reassigned Cosgrove to minor-league camp Sunday, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.
Analysis: Cosgrove is expected to serve as organizational bullpen depth at Triple-A Sugar Land to begin the season after he was unable to secure a spot in the Astros' Opening Day bullpen. The 29-year-old lefty joined Houston on a minor-league deal over the winter after he spent time in the Padres and Cubs organizations in 2025 and made just two relief appearances at the big-league level. |
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