| News |
|---|
|
Yainer Diaz Yainer Diaz Will require IL stint
Mon, May 4, 2026, 10:20 PM
Diaz is expected to be placed on the 10-day injured list with a left oblique injury, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.
Analysis: Diaz was scratched from Monday's starting lineup with what was reported to be a left abdominal injury, and manager Joe Espada added after the game that the backstop will miss some time due to an oblique issue. Christian Vazquez can be expected to serve as the primary catcher while Diaz recovers. |
|
Shay Whitcomb Shay Whitcomb Sent to minors
Mon, May 4, 2026, 6:22 PM
Whitcomb was optioned to Triple-A Sugar Land on Monday, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.
Analysis: The Astros needed to promote a catcher ahead of Monday's game against the Dodgers after Yainer Diaz (abdomen) was a late scratch, and Whitcomb will end up being the roster casualty. Whitcomb has struggled to a .077 average with one home run, three RBI and one run scored through 10 games this season. |
|
Cesar Salazar Cesar Salazar Back in big leagues
Mon, May 4, 2026, 6:12 PM
Salazar was recalled from Triple-A Sugar Land before Monday's game against the Dodgers, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.
Analysis: Salazar was promoted a few hours before first pitch after it was announced that Yainer Diaz was scratched with an abdominal injury. Salazar will serve as the backup catcher to Christian Vazquez on Monday. |
|
Yainer Diaz Yainer Diaz Late scratch Monday
Mon, May 4, 2026, 6:05 PM
Diaz (abdomen) has been scratched from Monday's lineup against the Dodgers due to a left abdominal injury, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.
Analysis: Diaz was initially slated to bat ninth in Monday's series opener, but an abdominal injury will keep him from taking the field. He can be considered day-to-day until the team has more information to share on the severity of his injury. |
|
Dustin Harris Dustin Harris Taking seat Monday
Mon, May 4, 2026, 4:59 PM
Harris is out of the lineup for Monday's game against the Dodgers.
Analysis: After starting each of the Astros' previous seven games and going 7-for-22 (.318 average) with two stolen bases, four RBI and two runs, Harris will head to the bench as Houston begins a three-game series with the Dodgers. Harris could be at risk of fading into more of a part-time role in the Houston outfield after the Astros recalled Zach Cole (toe) from Triple-A Sugar Land on Monday. Cole will replace Harris in the lineup Monday, manning left field while batting eighth. |
|
Jeremy Pena Jeremy Pena Nearing rehab assignment
Mon, May 4, 2026, 4:47 PM
Pena (hamstring) could begin a rehab assignment this weekend, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.
Analysis: Pena has been shelved since mid-April with a Grade 1 right hamstring strain but appears nearly ready to test things out in a game setting. Since his absence has been relatively brief, Pena should not require too many rehab at-bats before returning to the Astros' active roster. |
|
Hunter Brown Hunter Brown Could throw off mound this weekend
Mon, May 4, 2026, 4:45 PM
Brown (shoulder) could throw a bullpen session as soon as this weekend, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.
Analysis: Brown resumed flat-ground throwing a little over a week ago and might be ready to take another big step in his rehab this weekend. The right-hander is working his way back from a Grade 2 right shoulder strain, and the Astros have tentatively projected him to return by early- to mid-June. |
|
Jake Meyers Jake Meyers Resumes swinging bat
Mon, May 4, 2026, 3:57 PM
Meyers (oblique) has started swinging a bat and reincorporating other baseball activities, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.
Analysis: Meyers had been shut down after being diagnosed with a Grade 2 right oblique strain over three weeks ago. He will eventually need a rehab assignment once he gets sufficiently ramped up and should be able to return before the end of May if all goes well. |
|
Zach Dezenzo Zach Dezenzo Activated and optioned
Mon, May 4, 2026, 3:17 PM
The Astros activated Dezenzo (elbow) from the 10-day injured list Monday and optioned him to Triple-A Sugar Land.
Analysis: Dezenzo got a late start to the season after suffering a right elbow sprain during the World Baseball Classic while playing for Team Italy. He's gone 8-for-27 with one home run and a 7:7: BB:K in eight rehab games, and the Astros have elected to keep him in the minors rather than put him back on the major-league roster. |
|
Daniel Johnson Daniel Johnson Booted off 40-man roster
Mon, May 4, 2026, 3:13 PM
The Astros designated Johnson for assignment Monday.
Analysis: Johnson went 2-for-14 at the plate during his brief time in the majors. His spot on the 26-man active roster will be taken over by Zach Cole, who was recalled from Triple-A Sugar Land. |
|
Zach Cole Zach Cole Back in big leagues
Mon, May 4, 2026, 3:09 PM
The Astros recalled Cole (toe) from Triple-A Sugar Land on Monday.
Analysis: Cole came up short in his bid for a spot on the Opening Day roster and then fractured a toe early on in the season with Sugar Land. Though he had been on Sugar Land's 7-day injured list, Cole is healthy again after going 5-for-20 with three extra-base hits and five walks during a six-game rehab assignment with Single-A Fayetteville. The Astros have been mixing and matching in center field and left field since Jake Meyers (oblique) and Joey Loperfido (quadriceps) landed on the shelf, and Cole should push for reps at one or both of those positions. He'll draw the start in left and will bat eighth in Monday's series opener versus the Dodgers. |
|
AJ Blubaugh AJ Blubaugh Solid in bulk role
Mon, May 4, 2026, 12:48 PM
Blubaugh didn't factor into the decision Sunday against the Red Sox, allowing one run on two hits and two walks over 3.2 innings. He struck out five.
Analysis: Jarren Duran's homer in the fifth inning was the lone run given up by Blubaugh, who served as Houston's bulk reliever Sunday after Cody Bolton went just 2.1 innings. While Blubaugh's ERA still sits at an uninspiring 5.32, the right-hander has been sharp of late, allowing just two runs while striking out 12 in his last 11.1 innings. |
|
Cody Bolton Cody Bolton Goes 2.1 innings Sunday
Mon, May 4, 2026, 12:42 PM
Bolton did not factor into the decision Sunday against the Red Sox, allowing four hits and a walk over 2.1 scoreless innings. He struck out three.
Analysis: While it was technically Bolton's third start of the year, he essentially served as the opener in what became a bullpen game for the Astros. It was a solid showing overall for the right-hander, as he navigated his way through traffic to hold the Red Sox scoreless. Bolton's ERA now sits at 4.63 through 11.2 innings this season with a 1.80 WHIP and 14:9 K:BB. |
|
Bryan Abreu Bryan Abreu Picks up first win
Sun, May 3, 2026, 4:44 PM
Abreu (1-2) earned the win Sunday over the Red Sox, allowing a hit and a walk while striking out one over two innings.
Analysis: After Abreu worked around a one-out single in the ninth inning, the Astros tallied a pair of runs in the top of the 10th. Abreu came back out in the bottom half, and he coaxed a game-ending double play off the bat of Ceddanne Rafaela to close out his first win this year. It's certainly a step in the right direction for Abreu. The right-hander was expected to serve as Houston's closer in the absence of Josh Hader (biceps), though he got off to a brutal start this season, allowing at least one run in eight of his first 11 appearances. Abreu's ERA now sits at 10.32 with a 2.47 WHIP and 17:16 K:BB across 11.1 innings. |
|
Steven Okert Steven Okert Set to operate as opener
Sun, May 3, 2026, 4:42 PM
Okert will operate as the Astros' opening pitcher in Monday's series opener against the Dodgers, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports.
Analysis: Okert will make his first start of the 2026 campaign, helping bridge the gap in Houston's rotation ahead of Peter Lambert's expected start Tuesday. The right-hander has appeared in 16 contests so far this season, posting a 4.50 ERA and 1.21 WHIP with nine strikeouts over 14 innings. It's unclear who will follow Okert out of the bullpen as the team's bulk pitcher against Los Angeles, but Colton Gordon is a candidate to be called up from Triple-A Sugar Land and handle that role. |
|
Yainer Diaz Yainer Diaz Receiving afternoon off
Sun, May 3, 2026, 10:24 AM
Diaz is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Red Sox.
Analysis: Diaz will receive a routine day off after starting behind the plate or at designated hitter the last five games. Christian Vazquez will handle catching duties in the series finale in Boston. |
|
Christian Walker Christian Walker Cleared to start Sunday
Sun, May 3, 2026, 10:19 AM
Walker (head) will start at first base and bat cleanup in Sunday's game against the Red Sox.
Analysis: Walker was lifted from Saturday's 6-3 win in the ninth inning after taking a fastball to the head during his final at-bat of the day, but the veteran first baseman passed all concussion testing following the game and has been given the green light to play in the series finale. The 35-year-old has been in the midst of a heater over the past two weeks, slashing .409/.447/.750 with four home runs, 10 RBI and eight runs over his last 11 games. |
|
Jayden Murray Jayden Murray Sent back to Triple-A
Sun, May 3, 2026, 10:05 AM
The Astros optioned Murray to Triple-A Sugar Land on Sunday.
Analysis: Murray will give up his spot on the roster to Ryan Weiss, who was reinstated from the paternity list. After being recalled from Triple-A on April 19, Murray made three appearances out of the bullpen but had gone unused over the Astros' last six games. |
|
Ryan Weiss Ryan Weiss Back from paternity list
Sun, May 3, 2026, 10:02 AM
The Astros reinstated Weiss (personal) from the paternity list Sunday.
Analysis: The right-hander was away from the team for the last three days while welcoming a new addition to his family. The Astros haven't clarified what Weiss's role will look like, but he could be available out of the bullpen to cover multiple innings behind Cody Bolton, who will open Sunday's contest. If Weiss isn't used Sunday, he'll be a candidate to start or work in bulk relief during Monday's series opener versus the Dodgers. |
|
Dustin Harris Dustin Harris Two hits, steal vs. Boston
Sun, May 3, 2026, 8:22 AM
Harris went 2-for-4 with a stolen base in Saturday's 6-3 win over the Red Sox.
Analysis: Harris, who joined Houston off waivers from the White Sox earlier in the year, is now 4-for-4 in stolen base attempts this season. The 26-year-old outfielder has been playing nearly every day for the Astros due to Joey Loperfido (quadriceps), Taylor Trammell (groin), Zach Dezenzo (elbow) and Jake Meyers (oblique) all being on the IL. Harris has made the most of the opportunity, going 7-for-18 (.389) with four RBI and an .868 OPS in his last five games. |
Connect With Us:
