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Rhylan Thomas Rhylan Thomas Dropped from 40-man
Thu, Jun 4, 2026, 3:45 PM
The Astros designated Thomas for assignment Thursday, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.
Analysis: Thomas arrived in the Astros organization via waiver claim in May, but he never made an appearance with the big club and will now lose his place on the 40-man roster to make room for the newly signed LaMonte Wade. Thomas has slashed just .253/.304/.307 across 184 plate appearances at Triple-A this season despite benefiting from hitter-friendly environments in the Pacific Coast League. |
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Cesar Salazar Cesar Salazar DFA'd by Astros
Thu, Jun 4, 2026, 3:41 PM
The Astros designated Salazar for assignment Thursday, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.
Analysis: Salazar has gone just 1-for-18 in the majors while receiving limited opportunities, so the Astros will cast him off the roster and replace him with Collin Price, who was selected from Triple-A Sugar Land in a corresponding move. Salazar, 30, doesn't have minor-league options remaining and carries just a .512 OPS in his big-league career, making him likely to pass through waivers unclaimed. |
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Zach Cole Zach Cole Back in minors
Thu, Jun 4, 2026, 3:34 PM
The Astros optioned Cole to Triple-A Sugar Land on Thursday, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.
Analysis: The 25-year-old outfielder will lose his place on the 26-man roster to make room for LaMonte Wade, who signed a major-league contract with Houston on Thursday. Cole has managed just one hit in 28 at-bats over his last 11 games with the Astros, so moving back to Triple-A could allow him to get back on track. |
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Joey Loperfido Joey Loperfido Activated, staying in minors
Thu, Jun 4, 2026, 3:29 PM
The Astros reinstated Loperfido (quad/foot) from the injured list Thursday and optioned him to Triple-A Sugar Land, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.
Analysis: Loperfido has been on the IL since mid-April with a right quad strain, though he also suffered a foot injury while playing in a rehab game at Double-A Corpus Christi. Now fully recovered from both injuries, the Astros will keep the 27-year-old at Triple-A for now, giving him more time to ramp up before the team welcomes him back to the active roster. He's gone 7-for-23 (.304) with two RBI and two runs in six games since moving his rehab to Sugar Land. |
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Selected from Sugar Land
Thu, Jun 4, 2026, 3:21 PM
The Astros selected Price's contract from Triple-A Sugar Land on Thursday, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.
Analysis: Price will receive his first promotion to the majors after slashing .235/.360/.476 with 10 homers, 26 RBI and 19 runs in 47 games at Sugar Land. Cesar Salazar was designated for assignment in a corresponding move, so the door is open for Price to work as Houston's backup catcher until Yainer Diaz (oblique) returns from the injured list. |
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LaMonte Wade Jr. LaMonte Wade Jr. Catches on with Astros
Thu, Jun 4, 2026, 1:04 PM
The Astros signed Wade to a one-year contract Thursday, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.
Analysis: Wade slashed .250/.420/.441 with seven home runs over 201 plate appearances at Triple-A Charlotte in the White Sox organization before exercising an opt-out clause in his minor-league deal. The 32-year-old's best path to at-bats in Houston is in left field, but he'll likely be primarily relegated to a reserve role. |
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Yainer Diaz Yainer Diaz Could start rehab assignment soon
Thu, Jun 4, 2026, 10:07 AM
Diaz (oblique) has been hitting, throwing and catching bullpen sessions during workouts this week and is close to heading out on a rehab assignment, MLB.com reports.
Analysis: The Astros haven't offered up an official timeline for Diaz's return from the left oblique strain that sent him to the injured list May 5, but if he's cleared to join a minor-league affiliate within the next few days, he could have a realistic shot at rejoining the big club by the middle of June. Since Diaz was deactivated, Christian Vazquez has taken over as the Astros' No. 1 catcher, with Cesar Salazar serving as Vazquez's backup. |
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Brandon Walter Brandon Walter Throwing in Florida
Thu, Jun 4, 2026, 10:03 AM
The Astros announced Friday that Walter (elbow) is in the midst of a throwing progression at the team's complex in West Palm Beach, Fla., Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.
Analysis: Walter is one of three Astros starters in Florida rehabbing from Tommy John surgery, though Hayden Wesneski (elbow) and Ronel Blanco (elbow) are further along in their programs after undergoing procedures in May and June of last year, respectively. Both Wesneski and Blanco will have chances at returning from the 60-day injured list late in the season, but since he had his surgery Sept. 23, 2025, Walter isn't a realistic candidate to pitch until 2027. Walter's main focus will be building up toward facing live hitters by the end of the season with the aim of entering spring training with few restrictions, if any. |
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Bennett Sousa Bennett Sousa Starts up throwing progression
Thu, Jun 4, 2026, 9:58 AM
The Astros announced Friday that Sousa (elbow) has begun a throwing progression, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.
Analysis: Sousa was placed on the 15-day injured list May 9 due to left elbow inflammation and was shut down from activity for nearly three weeks before receiving clearance to start playing catch. The left-handed reliever isn't expected to require a lengthy buildup period, but he'll presumably need to complete a rehab assignment prior to being activated from the IL. |
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Joey Loperfido Joey Loperfido Heating up during rehab
Thu, Jun 4, 2026, 9:50 AM
Loperfido (quadriceps) has gone 7-for-23 (.304 average) with a double, a stolen base and a 4:7 BB:K in six games since moving his rehab assignment from Double-A Corpus Christi to Triple-A Sugar Land.
Analysis: Loperfido made his first and only appearance for Corpus Christi on May 24, striking out in his first two at-bats before leaving the game when he was hit on the foot by a pitch during his final plate appearance. He was held out of action the next two days but was cleared to play upon reporting to Sugar Land, where he's continued to stockpile at-bats. He played full nine-inning games in the corner outfield Tuesday and Wednesday, so Loperfido could be ready to return from the 10-day injured list during the Astros' home series versus the Athletics this weekend. |
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Lance McCullers Jr. Lance McCullers Jr. Starts throwing again
Thu, Jun 4, 2026, 9:44 AM
The Astros announced Friday that McCullers (shoulder) began a throwing progression, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.
Analysis: After landing on the injured list May 19 due to right shoulder inflammation, McCullers was shut down from activity for about a week and a half before being cleared to begin ramping up again. While McCullers doesn't necessarily appear to be headed for a long-term absence, the Astros could elect to have him build up slowly as a means of buying time to decide on what his role will look like moving forward. With Hunter Brown (shoulder) tracking toward a mid-June return from the IL and with Peter Lambert and Kai-Wei Teng emerging as viable back-end starting options, the Astros may not be willing to reopen a rotation spot for McCullers once he's ready for activation. McCullers struggled mightily over his eight starts prior to landing on the shelf, posting a 6.86 ERA and 1.53 WHIP across 39.1 innings. |
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Cristian Javier Cristian Javier Underwhelms in first rehab start
Thu, Jun 4, 2026, 9:35 AM
Javier (shoulder) recorded two outs -- both via strikeout -- and was charged with two earned runs on two hits and two walks in a rehab start Wednesday with Double-A Corpus Christi.
Analysis: Javier made his first appearance at any level in nearly two months, as he's been on the Astros' injured list since April 10 due to a Grade 2 right shoulder strain. Given the long layoff, some rust was to be expected from the right-hander during the rehab outing, but he still fell short of the Astros' goal of reaching at least two innings and 30-to-35 pitches, per Chandler Rome of The Athletic. Javier needed 28 pitches just to generate two outs, though on a positive note, his fastball velocity sat around his pre-injury levels at 92-to-93 mph during the outing, per Javier Gonzalez of PelotaCubanaUSA.com. The 29-year-old will probably require at least three more rehab starts to build up his pitch count and re-emerge as a viable option for the Houston rotation. |
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Jose Altuve Jose Altuve Taking live BP on Wednesday
Wed, Jun 3, 2026, 3:34 PM
Altuve (oblique) is slated to take live batting practice Wednesday, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.
Analysis: It will be the first time Altuve has faced live pitching since he went down with a left oblique strain in mid-May. Astros manager Joe Espada indicated previously that Altuve might not need a rehab assignment, so his return to the lineup appears imminent now that he's facing live pitching. |
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Jose Altuve Jose Altuve Nearing live BP
Wed, Jun 3, 2026, 10:41 AM
Manager Joe Espada said Tuesday that Altuve (oblique) is expected to take live batting practice before the end of the week, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports.
Analysis: The veteran second baseman has been sidelined nearly three weeks due to an oblique strain but is progressing quickly through his rehab program. Espada previously indicated that Altuve may not require a minor-league rehab assignment before rejoining the Astros, so facing live pitching could be the final hurdle before he's cleared to come off the injured list. |
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Braden Shewmake Braden Shewmake Out with adductor strain
Tue, Jun 2, 2026, 2:56 PM
The Astros placed Shewmake on the 10-day injured list Tuesday with a right adductor strain.
Analysis: Shewmake suffered the injury during Saturday's game versus the Brewers and was unable to make enough improvement to avoid the IL. He'll be eligible to return in mid-June, but it's the type of injury that could lead to an absence longer than the minimum. |
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Zach Cole Zach Cole Back with big club
Tue, Jun 2, 2026, 2:53 PM
The Astros recalled Cole from Triple-A Sugar Land on Tuesday.
Analysis: Cole was sent down last week after putting up a .542 OPS and 1:21 BB:K in 18 contests, but he's getting another chance with the big club. The 25-year-old is not starting Tuesday's game against the Pirates, but he could see some reps in left field for Houston. |
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Carlos Correa Carlos Correa Moved to 60-day IL
Tue, Jun 2, 2026, 2:49 PM
The Astros transferred Correa (ankle) to the 60-day injured list Tuesday.
Analysis: The transaction frees a spot on the 40-man roster for Josh Hader (biceps), who was activated from the 60-day IL on Tuesday. Correa is out for the season following surgery last month to repair the tendon in his left ankle. |
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Josh Hader Josh Hader Reinstated from 60-day injured list
Tue, Jun 2, 2026, 2:47 PM
The Astros activated Hader (biceps) from the 60-day injured list Tuesday.
Analysis: Hader is ready to go after missing the first two months of the season with left biceps tendinitis. He was also shelved down the stretch of last season with a left shoulder strain, though the issues are considered unrelated. Hader posted a 4.15 ERA and 11:3 K:BB over 8.2 innings on a rehab assignment and displayed diminished velocity, averaging just 92.9 mph with his four-seamer in his last rehab appearance. The southpaw should move back into the Houston closer role even if he's unable to rediscover the pep on his heater, though Hader might be eased into high-leverage situations. |
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Bryan King Bryan King Should shift to setup role
Tue, Jun 2, 2026, 1:15 PM
King is likely to move into a setup role with the Astros in the wake of the expected activation of closer Josh Hader (biceps) from the injured list Tuesday, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.
Analysis: Bryan Abreu was expected to step into the closer role with Hader sidelined to begin the season, but his early struggles opened the door for King, who leads the team with six saves. With Hader coming back to reclaim the ninth inning, King should now slide into a setup role. He's been effective with a 2.84 ERA across 25.1 innings this year, though his 1.30 WHIP and 19:10 K:BB are a bit underwhelming. |
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Josh Hader Josh Hader Poised to return from IL on Tuesday
Tue, Jun 2, 2026, 1:07 PM
Astros manager Joe Espada said on SportsTalk720 in Houston that Hader (biceps) will be activated from the 60-day injured list prior to Tuesday's game against the Pirates, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.
Analysis: Hader has been sidelined all season due to left biceps tendinitis, but he's been cleared for activation after posting a 4.15 ERA and 11:3 K:BB over 8.2 innings on a rehab assignment. The lefty averaged only 92.9 mph with his four-seamer during his final rehab appearance, which is down significantly from the 95.5 mph he averaged last season for Houston. It's possible Hader is able to get his velocity back up to par once he pitches in major-league games, but it's something to keep a close eye on as he returns to the Astros' closer role. Houston might give Hader a few low-leverage outings before throwing him back into the ninth inning. |
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