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Isaac Paredes Isaac Paredes Two hits atop order Sunday Sun, Jul 13, 2025, 5:53 PM Paredes went 2-for-4 with a pair of doubles in Sunday's 5-1 loss to the Rangers. Analysis: Since Jeremy Pena (rib) landed on the injured list in late June, Paredes has stepped in as Houston's leadoff man. He's served as the Astros' table setter for each of the last 14 games, batting .293 with three home runs, nine runs and four RBI during that stretch. Paredes was recently named to his second straight All-Star team, but the Astros announced Sunday that the 26-year-old won't participate in the Midsummer Classic while he tends to a family matter, per Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle. Manager Joe Espada said he expects Paredes to rejoin the team in advance of its first game of the second half Friday in Seattle.
Jacob Melton Jacob Melton Taking part in baseball activities Sun, Jul 13, 2025, 5:31 PM Melton (ankle) recently transitioned his rehab program to the Astros' spring training facility in Florida and is in the midst of hitting, running and throwing progressions, MLB.com reports. Analysis: Melton hit .241 with no home runs and three stolen bases in 11 games with Houston before landing on the injured list June 14 due to a right ankle sprain. The outfielder could be ready to begin a rehab assignment shortly after the All-Star break, but the Astros haven't yet offered up a definitive target date for his return from the IL.
J.P. France J.P. France Faces hitters Sun, Jul 13, 2025, 5:28 PM France (shoulder) tossed a live batting practice session Wednesday, MLB.com reports. Analysis: France has been facing live hitters for nearly a month, but the Astros haven't yet provided an update on when he might be ready to embark on what will likely be an extended minor-league rehab assignment. The right-hander has been out all season while recovering from last July's surgery to repair a torn shoulder capsule.
Spencer Arrighetti Spencer Arrighetti Closing in on rehab assignment Sun, Jul 13, 2025, 4:52 PM Astros general manager Dana Brown said Sunday that Arrighetti (thumb) could be ready to begin a rehab assignment in about a week or a week and a half, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports. Analysis: Brown noted that Arrighetti has resumed throwing live batting practice sessions at the Astros' spring training facility in Florida, and the 25-year-old righty sounds like he'll get the green light to start up a rehab assignment shortly after the All-Star break. Arrighetti made just two starts to begin the season before being placed on the injured list April 8 due to a fractured right thumb, so he'll likely require multiple outings in the minors to build up his pitch count before he's cleared to rejoin the big-league rotation. Arrighetti could be back with the Astros at some point in early or mid-August.
Jake Meyers Jake Meyers Facing three-plus-week absence Sun, Jul 13, 2025, 3:56 PM Astros general manager Dana Brown said Sunday that he expects Meyers (calf) to be out for "at the very minimum, three-plus weeks," Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports. Analysis: After he initially tweaked his right calf last Sunday in a win over the Dodgers, Meyers was held out of the lineup for two days before he checked back into the starting nine in Wednesday's 4-2 loss to the Guardians. Though he was credited with a start, Meyers didn't end up playing after aggravating the injury while running out to center field prior to the first pitch. He's since been diagnosed with a calf strain, and the injury is apparently viewed as more than a minor tweak, given that Brown has already seemingly counted Meyers out from returning before the beginning of August at the earliest. Taylor Trammell has started in center field in each of the three games since Meyers landed on the shelf and should have a clear path to an everyday role until the banged-up Astros regain some health in the outfield. In addition to Meyers, Houston has already lost Yordan Alvarez (hand), Pedro Leon (knee), Chas McCormick (oblique), Zach Dezenzo (hand) and Jacob Melton (ankle) to the injured list.
Jeremy Pena Jeremy Pena Should return early in second half Sun, Jul 13, 2025, 3:30 PM Astros general manager Dana Brown said Sunday that he doesn't expect Pena (ribs) to be activated from the injured list for the first game of the second half Friday in Seattle, but the shortstop's return shouldn't be far off, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports. Analysis: Pena landed on the injured list in late June with a small rib fracture, but he recently resumed baseball activities by hitting in the batting cage and taking part in light on-field work. The big test for the shortstop will be throwing across the infield, but he's progressing well in his recovery thus far and could seemingly be back with the Astros before the end of July.
Yordan Alvarez Yordan Alvarez Being re-evaluated Thursday Sun, Jul 13, 2025, 3:17 PM Astros general manager Dana Brown said Sunday that Alvarez (hand) will be re-evaluated Thursday and could be cleared to start swinging a bat, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports. Analysis: Brown also added that Alvarez is no longer dealing with any pain in his hand and that the organization could "try to expedite his return." The veteran slugger has been on the injured list with the fractured hand since early May, and he received two injections to reduce inflammation in the area in early July. Alvarez won't be ready to rejoin the Astros for the start of the second half Friday in Seattle, but his activation may not be too far off if he can avoid any setbacks.
Taylor Trammell Taylor Trammell Moving into regular role Sun, Jul 13, 2025, 1:39 PM Trammell will start in center field and bat sixth in Sunday's game against the Rangers. Analysis: With injuries piling up in the Houston outfield, Trammell looks to have taken hold of a regular spot in the lineup. He'll pick up his sixth consecutive start Sunday after going 5-for-18 with a home run, two doubles, four RBI and three runs over his last five games. Trammell is capable of playing all three outfield spots but will likely see most of his time in center field while Jake Meyers (calf) is on the shelf.
Yainer Diaz Yainer Diaz Receiving Sunday off Sun, Jul 13, 2025, 11:40 AM Diaz is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Rangers, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports. Analysis: Diaz will sit after a run of eight straight starts, during which he went 8-for-30 (.267) with two doubles, three homers and a stolen base. Victor Caratini will do the catching Sunday while Isaac Paredes serves as the designated hitter.
Mauricio Dubon Mauricio Dubon Clubs solo shot Sat, Jul 12, 2025, 11:28 PM Dubon went 1-for-2 with a solo home run and a walk in Saturday's 5-4 extra-innings win over the Rangers. Analysis: Dubon saw a nine-game hitting streak end Friday, but he responded in a big way with a seventh-inning homer Saturday. That blast ended his power drought at 15 games, during which he hit .260 with five doubles and one RBI. Dubon is getting a chance to play regularly at shortstop while Jeremy Pena (ribs) remains out, though Zack Short is also in the mix at that position. Second base is unlikely to be available to Dubon while top prospect Brice Matthews is up with the big club. In a utility role this year, Dubon is slashing .259/.297/.421 with six homers, 20 RBI, 26 runs scored, 14 doubles and two stolen bases over 211 plate appearances.
Josh Hader Josh Hader Takes first blown save Sat, Jul 12, 2025, 11:23 PM Hader allowed a run on two hits and struck out two in one inning to take a blown save in Saturday's 5-4 extra-innings win over the Rangers. Analysis: Hader served up a game-tying home run to Kyle Higashioka in the ninth inning, which stuck the Houston closer with his first blown save of the year. He's also showing some struggles -- after allowing four runs (three earned) across 13.2 innings in June, he's been charged with six runs (five earned) in just five innings in July. The long ball remains a problem, as Hader has given up eight homers in 42.2 innings this season, though he's largely remained successful by converting 25 of 26 save chances. He's added a 2.53 ERA, 0.82 WHIP and 65:9 K:BB, ratios that are better than last year across the board.
Yainer Diaz Yainer Diaz Smacks homer in win Sat, Jul 12, 2025, 11:19 PM Diaz went 1-for-4 with a solo home run in Saturday's 5-4 extra-innings win over the Rangers. Analysis: Diaz has hit .275 (11-for-40) with three homers, four RBI and a stolen base across 11 games in July. The catcher was limited to just two long balls over his first 25 games of the season, but he's since rebounded in the power department. Overall, he has a .688 OPS, 13 homers, 38 RBI, 34 runs scored, 11 doubles, one triple and one steal across 84 contests in 2025.
Jose Altuve Jose Altuve Homers in Saturday's win Sat, Jul 12, 2025, 11:15 PM Altuve went 2-for-4 with a solo home run in Saturday's 5-4 extra-innings win over the Rangers. Analysis: The first-inning solo shot was Altuve's fifth homer in his last 12 games. In that span, he's added 18 RBI while batting .370 (17-for-46). The 35-year-old has started the last two games in left field while Brice Matthews gets a chance to play second base following his call-up Friday. Altuve has split his time between left field, second base and designated hitter this year. He's now batting .275 with a .799 OPS, 17 homers, 52 RBI, 50 runs scored and six stolen bases over 92 contests.
Framber Valdez Framber Valdez Dazzles in no-decision Sat, Jul 12, 2025, 11:12 PM Valdez allowed an unearned run on four hits and struck out 10 without walking a batter over six innings in a no-decision versus the Rangers on Saturday. Analysis: Valdez's own wild pitch allowed Sam Haggerty to score in the first inning, but that was the southpaw's lone mistake. It wouldn't be the only blunder for his team, as Josh Hader blew his first save of the year, denying Valdez the win. Valdez has racked up all three of his double-digit strikeout performances over his last seven starts, a span in which he's given up a total of 11 runs (10 earned) over 43 innings. For the season, he's at a 2.75 ERA, 1.12 WHIP and 125:41 K:BB through 121 innings across 19 starts.
Jeremy Pena Jeremy Pena Takes swings Saturday Sat, Jul 12, 2025, 7:20 PM Pena (ribs) hit in an indoor cage and did "light on-field work" prior to Saturday's game against the Rangers, the Houston Chronicle reports. Analysis: Pena recently resumed baseball activities after landing on the IL due to a fractured left rib June 30. Though he hasn't yet tested out the injury by throwing across the diamond, the shortstop's ability to swing a bat field ground balls are encouraging signs of progress. Pena will attend but will not play in the All-Star Game, and he could be activated off the IL shortly following the break.
Cristian Javier Cristian Javier Begins rehab assignment Sat, Jul 12, 2025, 3:29 PM Javier (elbow) began a rehab assignment Saturday in the Florida Complex League, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports. Analysis: Javier's return to a competitive setting wasn't great, as he gave up three runs (two earned) on one hit and three walks over 1.1 innings, but it still marks a big step forward. The 28-year-old righty is in the final stages of his recovery from a Tommy John procedure he underwent in June 2024, but he will still need to make several more starts in the Astros' farm system before activation becomes an option.
Brendan Rodgers Brendan Rodgers Resumes baseball activity Sat, Jul 12, 2025, 8:08 AM Rodgers (oblique) has resumed hitting, running and throwing while rehabbing in Florida, MLB.com reports. Analysis: Rodgers has been sidelined since June 18 and is eligible to be activated as soon as he is healthy. It's unclear if he'll need a rehab assignment, but he is expected to return at some point in July.
Victor Caratini Victor Caratini Stays hot offensively Fri, Jul 11, 2025, 11:23 PM Caratini went 1-for-3 with a two-run home run during Friday's 7-3 loss to the Rangers. Analysis: Caratini left the yard for the 10th time this season Friday, clearing the right-field wall to account for two of Houston's three runs in the game. The 31-year-old has a hit in four straight games and has been red-hot to start July, slashing .345/.323/.724 with two doubles, three homers and 11 RBI. The latter two numbers already have matched or eclipsed his highs from any other month this season, and there's still 15 games on the schedule before the calendar turns again.
Lance McCullers Jr. Lance McCullers Jr. Lasts just three innings in defeat Fri, Jul 11, 2025, 11:12 PM McCullers (2-4) took the loss after throwing three innings, allowing five runs on six hits and two walks while striking out five, during Friday's 7-3 loss to the Rangers. Analysis: McCullers' struggles on the season continued as he failed to make it through five innings for the sixth time in 10 starts this season. He needed 83 pitches to get through three innings, an alarming level of inefficiency, The 31-year-old has a 6.48 ERA on the season, well off of the eighth-year pro's career 3.60 ERA. With 49 strikeouts in 41.2 innings this year, he's still striking out batters at a decent rate, but he must bring down his allowed walks (26) and home runs (9) if he's to find his form again after the All-Star break.
Jeremy Pena Jeremy Pena Begins baseball activities Fri, Jul 11, 2025, 4:29 PM Pena (ribs) is ramping up work in the weight room and is participating in portions of baseball activities, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports. Analysis: It's unclear what baseball activities Pena has been cleared to partake in, but he's yet to resume full baseball activities. Still, it's an encouraging sign for Pena, as he pushes to make a return shortly after the All-Star break. In the meantime, Mauricio Dubon and Zack Short should handle most of the work at shortstop.