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Jeremy Pena Jeremy Pena Back in starting lineup
Thu, Sep 24, 2026, 6:49 PM
Pena (wrist) is starting at shortstop and batting leadoff for Thursday night's matchup against the Athletics, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.
Analysis: Pena was unable to start Wednesday's contest against the Mariners as a result of wrist injury suffered after being hit by a pitch Tuesday night. The infielder was able to enter as a pinch runner and swipe a bag in Wednesday's extra-inning loss to Seattle, and he will now return to the lineup one day later. Pena is batting .367 with three home runs, four RBI, seven runs scored and two stolen bases over 30 at-bats since Sept. 15. |
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Jorge Barrosa Jorge Barrosa Back on active roster
Thu, Sep 24, 2026, 6:09 PM
The Astros selected Barrosa from Triple-A Sugar Land on Thursday.
Analysis: Barrosa is getting added to the Astros for outfield depth as Dalton Varsho (wrist) lands on the 10-day injured list. Additionally, the Astros designated Jason Alexander for assignment to create room for Barrosa on the active roster. |
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Jason Alexander Jason Alexander Designated for assignment
Thu, Sep 24, 2026, 6:03 PM
The Astros designated Alexander for assignment Thursday.
Analysis: Alexander will end up as the roster casualty necessary to make room for Jose Barrosa, who was selected to the active roster Thursday. Alexander has struggled mightily during his time in the majors, logging a 9.33 ERA and 1.58 WHIP in 18.1 innings, and he hasn't been very effective at Triple-A either (5.26 ERA, 1.49 WHIP, 87.1 IP). |
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Daulton Varsho Daulton Varsho Out for possible Wild Card series
Thu, Sep 24, 2026, 6:03 PM
The Astros placed Varsho on the 10-day injured list Thursday, retroactive to Wednesday, due to left wrist inflammation.
Analysis: Varsho will miss the AL Wild Card Series if the Astros win their division, but will be eligible to return for the ALDS. In a pair of corresponding moves, the Astros selected Jorge Barrosa from Triple-A Sugar Land and designated Jason Alexander for assignment. |
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Jeremy Pena Jeremy Pena Swipes bag as pinch runner
Thu, Sep 24, 2026, 6:21 AM
Pena (wrist) stole a base as a pinch runner in Wednesday's 6-5 extra-inning loss to the Mariners.
Analysis: Per Chandler Rome of The Athletic, Pena was only available to run the bases Wednesday after he was hit on the wrist by a pitch Tuesday. Pena would manage to steal a base, his 11th theft this season and his second in his last two games. It remains to be seen whether Pena will be available in an expanded capacity in Thursday's series opener against the A's. |
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Josh Hader Josh Hader Throws 44 pitches in loss
Thu, Sep 24, 2026, 6:15 AM
Hader (4-2) took the loss Wednesday against the Mariners, allowing two runs (one earned) on two hits and four walks across 1.1 innings.
Analysis: Hader managed to work around a single and a walk in the ninth inning to send the game to extras. However, it was a different story when he came back out for the 10th -- Hader would issue three walks in the frame, including one to Julio Rodriguez with the bases loaded that forced in the tying run, before Josh Naylor ended the contest with a walk-off single. Prior to Wednesday, Hader had given up just one run in his previous 26 innings, striking out 27 while walking just three in that span. The southpaw would need 44 pitches in the defeat, the most he's thrown in an outing since 2019, meaning he'll likely be unavailable for at least a couple days. |
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Yainer Diaz Yainer Diaz Homer, triple in loss
Thu, Sep 24, 2026, 2:04 AM
Diaz went 2-for-5 with a two-run home run and an RBI triple in Wednesday's 6-5 extra-inning loss to the Mariners.
Analysis: Diaz's homer came as part of the Astros' four-run third-inning. He also briefly put them ahead in the 10th, but the Mariners were able to battle back. Diaz has gotten hot late in the season, going 10-for-27 (.370) over his last seven games. On the year, he's batting .282 with a .772 OPS, 14 homers, 43 RBI, 36 runs scored, 14 doubles, one triple and no stolen bases over 94 contests. |
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Ethan Pecko Ethan Pecko Struggles as starter
Thu, Sep 24, 2026, 2:01 AM
Pecko allowed three runs on four hits and two walks while striking out two over 2.2 innings in a no-decision versus the Mariners on Wednesday.
Analysis: Pecko worked well as a bulk reliever in his two last appearances, but a return to a starting role didn't go so well. This was his shortest of seven outings (five starts) in the majors. He ends the regular season at a 4.31 ERA, 1.21 WHIP and 21:14 K:BB through 31.1 innings. It's unclear if Pecko has done enough to earn a spot on a postseason roster should the Astros make the playoffs, but he'd likely function as a reliever if that happens. |
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Daulton Varsho Daulton Varsho Sitting third straight
Wed, Sep 23, 2026, 7:50 PM
Varsho (wrist) isn't in the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Mariners, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.
Analysis: Varsho will miss a third consecutive start Wednesday as he continues to recover from a left wrist injury. The Astros recalled Lucas Spence from Triple-A to provide some insurance in the outfield while Varsho is hurt, and the former will start in center field, batting eighth. |
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Jeremy Pena Jeremy Pena Sitting Wednesday
Wed, Sep 23, 2026, 7:45 PM
Pena (wrist) isn't in the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Mariners, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.
Analysis: Pena was pulled from Tuesday's game after taking a pitch off his right wrist in the eighth inning, and he'll need at least one more day off to recover before returning to action. Nick Allen will fill in at shortstop and bat ninth. |
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Lucas Spence Lucas Spence Back in majors
Wed, Sep 23, 2026, 7:36 PM
The Astros recalled Spence from Triple-A Sugar Land on Wednesday, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.
Analysis: Spence will come up from Triple-A to give the Astros some extra outfield depth to close out the season and provide insurance while Daulton Varsho nurses a wrist injury. Spence owns just a .433 OPS through 41 plate appearances in the majors but has slashed .198/.340/.430 over 36 games since being sent down to Triple-A on Aug. 3. He'll replace Brice Matthews (knee) on the active roster. |
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Brice Matthews Brice Matthews Placed on IL
Wed, Sep 23, 2026, 7:33 PM
The Astros placed Matthews on the 10-day injured list Wednesday with left knee inflammation, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.
Analysis: Matthews injured his knee while making a diving catch during Tuesday's game against Seattle. The 24-year-old had missed most of the second half due to an injury to the same knee, so the Astros will play it safe and send him back to the injured list, ending his season early. Lucas Spence was recalled from Triple-A in a corresponding move. |
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Selected to majors
Wed, Sep 23, 2026, 6:32 PM
The Astros selected Hendrickson's contract from Triple-A Sugar Land on Wednesday, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.
Analysis: Hendrickson has spent the entire season at Triple-A, where he owns a 4.75 ERA and 1.31 WHIP alongside a 106:27 K:BB across 113.2 innings. He'll now be called upon to add depth to Houston's pitching staff following Cristian Javier's (groin) move to the injured list. Hendrickson is capable of starting or pitching multiple innings out of the bullpen, and he'll be making his MLB debut whenever he gets into a game. |
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Jake Meyers Jake Meyers Moves to 60-day IL
Wed, Sep 23, 2026, 6:25 PM
The Astros transferred Meyers (knee) to the 60-day injured list Wednesday, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.
Analysis: Meyers suffered a season-ending kneecap injury in mid-September, so the Astros will stash him away on the 60-day IL to free up a 40-man roster spot for Josh Hendrickson. Meyers appeared in 57 games for the Astros this year but slashed just .213/.268/.326 with three homers, 11 RBI and 15 runs scored over 153 plate appearances. |
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Cristian Javier Cristian Javier Done for 2026
Wed, Sep 23, 2026, 6:22 PM
The Astros placed Javier on the 15-day injured list Wednesday with a Grade 2 groin strain, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.
Analysis: Javier left his start Tuesday against Seattle after two innings due to right groin soreness, and he'll officially be shut down for the year upon receiving his diagnosis. He'll close the book on 2026 after enduring one of his least effective seasons in the majors, posting a 5.14 ERA and 1.46 WHIP over 63 innings. Josh Hendrickson was called up from Triple-A Sugar Land in a corresponding move. |
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Brice Matthews Brice Matthews Exits early Tuesday
Tue, Sep 22, 2026, 10:50 PM
Matthews was removed from Tuesday's game against the Mariners with an apparent leg injury, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.
Analysis: Matthews came up limping after making a diving catch in center field during the second inning of Tuesday's game, and he was eventually pulled in the sixth. The fact that he was able to remain in the game for a while after making the play is an encouraging sign, though the Astros will likely provide more information on his health in the near future. |
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Cristian Javier Cristian Javier Pulled with groin tightness
Tue, Sep 22, 2026, 10:12 PM
Javier was removed from Tuesday's game against the Mariners with right groin tightness, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.
Analysis: Javier gave up one hit and two walks while striking out two batters in two scoreless innings before his groin forced him to make a premature exit. The 29-year-old righty is tentatively lined up to start Houston's regular-season finale against the A's on Sunday, but the team will presumably monitor his status over the next several days before making a decision regarding his availability. |
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Daulton Varsho Daulton Varsho Nursing wrist injury
Tue, Sep 22, 2026, 7:25 PM
Varsho isn't in the lineup for Tuesday's game against Seattle due to a left wrist injury, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.
Analysis: Manager Joe Espada said that Varsho could still be available off the bench Tuesday, but the Astros may also play it safe and give the 30-year-old a full day to rest while Brice Matthews starts in center field. |
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Daulton Varsho Daulton Varsho Out of Tuesday's lineup
Tue, Sep 22, 2026, 5:51 PM
Varsho is not in Tuesday's lineup against the Mariners, per Chandler Rome of The Athletic.
Analysis: For the second straight game, Varsho will exit the starting nine. The Astros will send out Brice Matthews to center field and bat ninth against Logan Gilbert on Tuesday. |
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Mike Burrows Mike Burrows Returned from assignment
Tue, Sep 22, 2026, 4:38 PM
The Astros returned Burrows (elbow/shoulder) from his rehab assignment Monday.
Analysis: Burrows landed on the injured list in mid-July with right elbow inflammation, and he suffered a setback with his shoulder at the beginning of September that has extended his stint on the IL. He was cleared to restart his rehab assignment Saturday and pitched two shutout innings, but the fact that the Astros have again halted his assignment without activating him doesn't bode well for his chances of returning in the regular season. |
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