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Cam Smith Cam Smith Homers in loss
Sun, Jul 12, 2026, 6:29 PM
Smith went 1-for-4 with a solo home run in Sunday's 6-5 loss to the Rangers.
Analysis: Smith had gone 0-for-11 with a sacrifice fly over his previous four games. He was well on his way to another poor showing, but he turned it around with an eighth-inning homer. The outfielder is batting .218 with a .669 OPS, 12 homers, 34 RBI, 39 runs scored, 13 doubles, one triple and nine stolen bases over 96 contests this season. |
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Jose Altuve Jose Altuve Clubs homer in loss
Sun, Jul 12, 2026, 6:20 PM
Altuve went 1-for-4 with a solo home run in Sunday's 6-5 loss to the Rangers.
Analysis: Altuve went yard in the fourth inning to get the Astros on the board. The second baseman has homered three times over his last six games, though he's at just 11 long balls on the year. He's also batting .235 with a .711 OPS, 27 RBI, 45 runs scored, 13 doubles, one triple and two stolen bases across 74 contests. He's been declining for a few years, but his OPS would be his lowest since he had a .630 mark in the abbreviated 2020 campaign. |
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Josh Hader Josh Hader Takes walk-off loss
Sun, Jul 12, 2026, 6:17 PM
Hader (3-1) allowed a run on three hits while failing to record an out, taking the loss Sunday versus the Rangers.
Analysis: Hader was called upon in a non-save situation Sunday, but he failed to keep the game tied at 5-5. He allowed a walk-off single to Brandon Nimmo. It's just the second time in 17 appearances Hader has given up a run this season, and he remains a perfect 10-for-10 in save chances. Hader has added a 1.17 ERA, 0.91 WHIP and 25:8 K:BB over 15.1 innings as the Astros' unquestioned closer since making his season debut June 3. |
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Cristian Javier Cristian Javier Shaky in three-inning start
Sun, Jul 12, 2026, 6:14 PM
Javier allowed three runs on four hits and three walks while striking out four over three innings in a no-decision versus the Rangers on Sunday.
Analysis: Javier made his first start and third appearance since returning from a three-month absence due to a shoulder injury. The results weren't great, as he struggled heavily in the second inning, though the Astros were able to get him off the hook later in the contest. Javier has pitched to a 9.98 ERA and 12:15 K:BB across 15.1 innings over six appearances (four starts) this season. With reinforcements on the way from the injured list in the latter part of July, Javier will need to show a better overall performance if he's to stay in the conversation for a rotation spot. |
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Brice Matthews Brice Matthews Pulled with left knee injury
Sun, Jul 12, 2026, 3:10 PM
The Astros announced that Matthews was removed from Sunday's game against the Rangers after the first inning due to a left knee injury, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports.
Analysis: Matthews hurt his knee when he collided with the outfield wall with two outs in the bottom of the first while attempting to reel in a deep fly off the bat of Josh Jung. Taylor Trammell pinch hit for Matthews when his first turn in the batting order came up in the second inning. Trammell will likely serve as the Astros' primary option in center field if the knee issue forces Matthews to the injured list coming out of the All-Star break. |
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Brice Matthews Brice Matthews Exits with apparent injury
Sun, Jul 12, 2026, 2:11 PM
Matthews was lifted for a pinch hitter in the top of the second inning Sunday following a collision with the center-field wall while pursuing a flyball in the bottom of the first, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports.
Analysis: With two outs in the inning, Matthews was unable to corral a Josh Jung deep fly, which ultimately fell in for a triple after Matthews' back and head collided with the outfield wall. Matthews was able to make the relay throw into the infield and remained in the game while Houston recorded the final out of the frame, but he was pulled from the contest before his first turn in the batting order came up. Taylor Trammell pinch hit for Matthews and will presumably cover center field for the remainder of the contest. The Astros should provide further word on the nature of Matthews' injury later Sunday. |
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Brice Matthews Brice Matthews Seizing control of CF job
Sun, Jul 12, 2026, 1:47 PM
Matthews will start in center field and bat eighth in Sunday's game against the Rangers.
Analysis: Matthews will cover center field for the fifth time in six games, with two of his starts during that stretch coming against right-handed pitchers. He had previously been handling a short-side platoon role in the Houston outfield, but Matthews looks like he's supplanted the struggling Taylor Trammell as the preferred option in center. |
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Taylor Trammell Taylor Trammell Losing out to Brice Matthews in CF
Sun, Jul 12, 2026, 1:45 PM
Trammell is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Rangers.
Analysis: On the bench for the fifth time in six games, Trammell looks to have ceded his role as the Astros' primary center field to Brice Matthews. Dating back to June 13, Trammell has produced a weak .128/.190/.359 slash line while striking out at a 31 percent clip over a stretch of 18 games. |
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Yainer Diaz Yainer Diaz Getting Sunday off
Sun, Jul 12, 2026, 1:12 PM
Diaz is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Rangers, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.
Analysis: Diaz started the previous three games and will sit for the first-half finale after going 3-for-11 with two doubles, a homer, two RIB and two runs during that stretch. Christian Vazquez will take over and bat ninth against Texas lefty MacKenzie Gore. |
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Yordan Alvarez Yordan Alvarez Homers in second straight game
Sat, Jul 11, 2026, 11:26 PM
Alvarez went 2-for-3 with a home run, a double, two walks, two total runs and two total RBI in Saturday's 9-3 win against Texas.
Analysis: Alvarez reached base four times in the victory, and both of his hits went for extra bases. His biggest knock was a two-run homer to center field that opened the scoring in the first inning. Alvarez also went deep Friday, so he appears to be back on track following an uncharacteristic four-game stretch during which he went 1-for-18 at the plate. The slugger leads the American League and ranks second in baseball with 31 long balls this season, and he ranks first among qualified players with a 1.055 OPS though 95 contests. |
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LaMonte Wade Jr. LaMonte Wade Jr. Swats grand slam Saturday
Sat, Jul 11, 2026, 11:22 PM
Wade went 1-for-4 with a grand slam in a 9-3 victory versus the Rangers on Saturday.
Analysis: Wade struck out twice and was subbed out on defense in the seventh inning, but he made a big impact with one swing when he clubbed a grand slam to right field in the third inning. That was the veteran outfielder's second homer in nine games in the majors this season. Since returning from an IL stint caused by a hamstring injury July 4, Wade has started all five of Houston's games against a right-handed pitcher, so he appears to have a hold on a strong-side platoon role in left field. |
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Peter Lambert Peter Lambert Continues breakout campaign
Sat, Jul 11, 2026, 10:57 PM
Lambert (8-5) allowed one run on three hits and one walk while striking out seven batters over six innings to earn the win over Texas on Saturday.
Analysis: The only run Lambert allowed came on an Ezequiel Duran home run in the fourth inning. Beyond that, the Rangers collected just two other hits (both singles) against him and struck out seven times. Lambert finished with his sixth quality start of the season and collected his eighth victory -- as many as he recorded over his first four MLB campaigns combined. The right-hander seems to have benefitted from his year in Japan last season, as he's become a vital part of Houston's injury-plagued rotation. Through 15 starts, he holds a strong 3.14 ERA, 1.12 WHIP and 81:33 K:BB over 86 innings. |
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Cristian Javier Cristian Javier Getting chance to start Sunday
Sat, Jul 11, 2026, 9:34 PM
Javier will start for the Astros on Sunday versus Texas, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.
Analysis: Javier will take the mound for Houston's final game before the All-Star break after coming out of the bullpen in his previous two outings following a nearly three-month stint on the IL. While the right-hander threw only 39 and 30 pitches, respectively, in those two relief appearances, he worked up to 85 pitches and six innings during a five-game rehab assignment, so his start Sunday could last several frames. Manager Joe Espada said after Javier returned from the IL that his move to the bullpen wasn't necessarily permanent, so it's possible that the 29-year-old hurler will remain in the rotation following the break if he fares well Sunday. |
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Drafted by Houston
Sat, Jul 11, 2026, 6:03 PM
The Astros selected Peterson with the No. 133 overall pick in the 2026 First-Year Player Draft.
Analysis: Peterson beat Grady Emerson in a prep home run derby last year and had a down senior season. His defense at third base is a little shaky, but he has plus raw power that the Astros will try to help him get to more consistently in games. His plus arm could potentially fit in right field if he moves off third. |
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Ronel Blanco Ronel Blanco Making next start at Triple-A
Sat, Jul 11, 2026, 5:53 PM
Blanco (elbow) will make another rehab start at Triple-A Sugar Land on Sunday, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports.
Analysis: Blanco had been a candidate to return from the 60-day IL and start Sunday's first-half finale against the Rangers, but the Astros will look to get him one more tune-up outing in the minors before bringing him back after the All-Star break. Blanco's most recent start at Triple-A was cut short after two innings due to inclement weather, though he had built up to 60 pitches (4.1 innings) during his previous appearance. |
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Picked in fourth round
Sat, Jul 11, 2026, 5:48 PM
The Astros selected Durnin with the No. 121 overall pick in the 2026 First-Year Player Draft.
Analysis: Durnin transferred to Missouri after two years with Wichita State and has a shot to stick at shortstop. He slashed .329/.438/.570 with nine home runs, 11 steals and a 19.8 percent strikeout rate this spring. |
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Drafted by Houston
Sat, Jul 11, 2026, 5:23 PM
The Astros selected Johnson with the No. 93 overall pick in the 2026 First-Year Player Draft.
Analysis: Johnson generated a lot of buzz after being named Georgia's high school player of the year as a junior in 2025 but doesn't have top-end tools. The 18-year-old isn't expected to provide much on the basepaths but has strong contact skills and could have the defensive ability to stick at shortstop. |
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Cam Smith Cam Smith Hitting bench Saturday
Sat, Jul 11, 2026, 4:02 PM
Smith isn't in the lineup for Saturday's game against Texas, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports.
Analysis: Smith will get a day to reset after going 0-for-11 with a pair of walks across his last three games. Yordan Alvarez, Taylor Trammell and LaMonte Wade will start across Houston's outfield while Smith is on the bench. |
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Selected 57th overall by Astros
Sat, Jul 11, 2026, 4:01 PM
The Astros selected Mendes with the No. 57 overall pick in the 2026 First-Year Player Draft.
Analysis: Mendes is a southpaw out of Florida State with a five-pitch mix, highlighted by a mid-90s fastball and a changeup that is considered his best secondary offering. He has improved his strike-throwing ability in recent years and could make it as a starting pitcher in the big leagues. |
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Drafted by Houston
Sat, Jul 11, 2026, 2:57 PM
The Astros selected Radel with the No. 28 overall pick in the 2026 First-Year Player Draft.
Analysis: The 22-year-old Radel spent three years at Notre Dame and finished his collegiate career strong with a 3.29 ERA, 1.03 WHIP and 116:22 K:BB across 87.2 innings last season. The 6-foot-5, 250-pound righty sits in the mid-90s with his fastball and has developed his slider, curveball and changeup well, though he remains without a true standout pitch. |
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