| News |
|---|
|
Cam Smith Cam Smith Homers off the bench
Sun, Apr 5, 2026, 9:38 AM
Smith went 1-for-1 with a solo home run in Saturday's 11-0 win over the A's.
Analysis: Despite starting the game on the bench for the first time this season, Smith put the finishing touches on Houston's blowout victory, launching his second homer of the year off Luis Medina in the eighth after entering the game as a defensive replacement the inning prior. The 23-year-old Smith has been swinging the bat well, logging at least one hit in his last five games. He's gone 6-for-15 with three extra-base hits in that span. |
|
Yordan Alvarez Yordan Alvarez On base five times Saturday
Sun, Apr 5, 2026, 9:32 AM
Alvarez went 1-for-1 with an RBI, a run scored and four walks in Saturday's 11-0 rout over the A's.
Analysis: Alvarez's four walks matched a career high, as the slugger continues to reach base at a prolific rate in the early going -- his OBP is up to .590 through his first nine games. Through 39 plate appearances, Alvarez is 11-for-26 with three home runs, eight RBI and an eye-popping 1.475 OPS. |
|
Kai-Wei Teng Kai-Wei Teng Scoreless outing vs. A's
Sun, Apr 5, 2026, 9:28 AM
Teng threw 2.1 scoreless innings in Saturday's 11-0 win over the A's, allowing two hits while striking out three.
Analysis: Teng has gotten off to a nice start this season, allowing just one run on four hits and one walk over 5.2 innings in his first three appearances. Teng, who posted a 6.37 ERA across 29.2 innings in a swing role with the Giants last season, earned a spot in Houston's Opening Day bullpen with Bennett Sousa (oblique), Enyel De Los Santos (knee), Nate Pearson (elbow) and Josh Hader (biceps) all opening the year on the IL. |
|
Christian Walker Christian Walker Swats first homer of season
Sat, Apr 4, 2026, 8:36 PM
Walker went 3-for-5 with a walk, a double, a home run, two RBI and three runs scored in Saturday's 11-0 win over the A's.
Analysis: The veteran first baseman was one of the key figures in an 18-hit barrage for Houston, with his biggest blow being a solo shot in the third inning off Luis Morales. The homer was Walker's first of the year, and through nine games he's batting a sizzling .344 (11-for-32) with six doubles, six runs, nine RBI and a 4:6 BB:K. |
|
Tatsuya Imai Tatsuya Imai Fans nine in first MLB win
Sat, Apr 4, 2026, 8:32 PM
Imai (1-0) picked up the win in Saturday's 11-0 rout of the A's, allowing three hits and three walks over 5.2 scoreless innings. He struck out nine.
Analysis: After a bumpy MLB debut, the 27-year-old right-hander looked much more comfortable in his second trip to the mound as he fired 58 of 94 pitches for strikes and came one out short of his first quality start for the Astros. Imai will take a 4.32 ERA, 1.56 WHIP and 13:7 K:BB through his first 8.1 innings into his next outing, which lines up to come on the road next weekend in Seattle. |
|
Cam Smith Cam Smith Day off Saturday
Sat, Apr 4, 2026, 12:43 PM
Smith isn't in the lineup for Saturday's game against the Athletics, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.
Analysis: Smith will head to the bench for the first time this season after collecting hits in five of his last six games. Joey Loperfido will replace him in right field and bat sixth. |
|
Shay Whitcomb Shay Whitcomb Promoted Friday
Fri, Apr 3, 2026, 3:49 PM
The Astros recalled Whitcomb from Triple-A Sugar Land on Friday.
Analysis: The 27-year-old will join the Astros ahead of Friday's series opener against the A's with Isaac Paredes being placed on the bereavement list. Given Houston's glut of infielders, Whitcomb is likely to fill a reserve role while up with the big club. |
|
Isaac Paredes Isaac Paredes Goes on bereavement list
Fri, Apr 3, 2026, 3:44 PM
The Astros placed Paredes on the bereavement list Friday, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports.
Analysis: By rule, Paredes will miss at least the entire three-game weekend series against the Athletics and as many as four additional contests after that. Paredes has started six of seven games this season, but with Jeremy Pena getting back up to speed following a finger injury, Paredes' playing time could dip a bit once he's back from the bereavement list. |
|
Christian Vazquez Christian Vazquez Homers Wednesday
Thu, Apr 2, 2026, 10:46 AM
Vazquez went 1-for-4 with a solo home run in Wednesday's 6-4 win over the Red Sox.
Analysis: Making his second start of the season, Vazquez extended Houston's lead to 6-4 with a homer off Danny Coulombe to lead off the seventh inning, his first long ball this year. Vasquez is now 2-for-7 to open the campaign after slashing .189/.271/.274 with three homers and 14 RBI across 214 plate appearances with the Twins in 2025. |
|
Carlos Correa Carlos Correa Launches three-run homer
Wed, Apr 1, 2026, 9:25 PM
Correa went 1-for-4 with a three-run homer in Wednesday's 6-4 win over the Red Sox.
Analysis: Correa put the Astros ahead for good Wednesday with a two-out, three-run homer off Garrett Crochet in the fifth inning, his first long ball this season. Correa's gotten off to a nice start this season, going 8-for-25 with seven RBI in his first seven games while splitting time between shortstop and third base. Correa slashed .276/.332/.402 with 13 homers and 52 RBI across 144 games between Houston and Minnesota last year. |
|
Mike Burrows Mike Burrows Earns first win
Wed, Apr 1, 2026, 4:52 PM
Burrows (1-1) earned the win Wednesday over the Red Sox, allowing two runs on five hits and three walks over five innings. He struck out six.
Analysis: Burrows had to contend with traffic Wednesday, though he managed to hold Boston to a pair of runs en route to his first win with the Astros. It was a nice rebound effort overall from Burrows, after he gave up five runs on nine hits in his first start against the Angels. The right-hander is currently slated to face the Rockies at Coors Field his next time out. |
|
Bryan Abreu Bryan Abreu Hangs on for first save
Wed, Apr 1, 2026, 4:47 PM
Abreu earned the save in Wednesday's 6-4 win over the Red Sox, allowing a run on one hit while striking out three in the ninth inning.
Analysis: Abreu got off to an inauspicious start in the ninth inning Wednesday, as he gave up a home run to Roman Anthony to lead off the frame. However, the right-hander rebounded to strike out Boston's subsequent three batters to close out a two-run victory and earn his first save of the year. While Abreu has given up at least one run in all three of his appearances this season, Wednesday's outing certainly looks like a step in the right direction. Notably, his fastball velocity reached 97.4 MPH in the outing after topping out at just 93.2 MPH in his last appearance Sunday versus the Angels. Abreu figures to retain the ninth-inning job in Houston until Josh Hader (biceps) is able to return. |
|
Bennett Sousa Bennett Sousa Facing hitters next week
Wed, Apr 1, 2026, 12:01 PM
Sousa (oblique) will throw a live batting practice session next week, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.
Analysis: It will be his first time facing hitters since he suffered a Grade 1 left oblique strain in his final spring training appearance. He's eligible to be activated from the 15-day injured list next week and the Astros have been optimistic that Sousa won't need more than a minimum stay on the IL, so it's possible he skips a rehab assignment. |
|
Nate Pearson Nate Pearson Faces hitters
Wed, Apr 1, 2026, 11:51 AM
Pearson (elbow) has progressed to throwing a live batting practice session, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.
Analysis: Pearson developed soreness in his surgically repaired right elbow a month ago and has been brought along slowly since then. That he's now facing hitters suggests a rehab assignment could be right around the corner. Pearson signed with the Astros over the offseason with the intent to be a starting pitcher, but his best path to a role right now is as a reliever. |
|
Jeremy Pena Jeremy Pena Could play back-to-back this week
Wed, Apr 1, 2026, 11:34 AM
Pena (finger) could be ready to play in back-to-back games this weekend, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.
Analysis: Pena managed to avoid an injured list stint but has started every other game so far this season as the Astros ease him back into action following a fractured right ring finger. The 28-year-old is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Red Sox and the Astros are idle Thursday, so he could be ready to play back-to-back contests as soon as Friday and Saturday against the Athletics. |
|
Yainer Diaz Yainer Diaz Not starting Wednesday
Wed, Apr 1, 2026, 10:10 AM
Diaz is out of the lineup for Wednesday's contest against the Red Sox.
Analysis: Diaz had started at catcher each of the previous two days, so he will get some rest with the Astros wrapping up their series against the Red Sox with a day game after a night game. Christian Vazquez will start at catcher Wednesday as Houston attempts to finish off a series sweep. |
|
Jeremy Pena Jeremy Pena Another day off Wednesday
Wed, Apr 1, 2026, 10:06 AM
Pena is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Red Sox.
Analysis: Pena continues to play every other day as the Astros ease him back into action following a recovery from a fractured finger. He should be ready to resume playing on an everyday basis soon, but it's unclear when exactly it will happen. Carlos Correa will start at shortstop and Isaac Paredes will cover third base Wednesday as the Astros go for the series sweep. |
|
Cody Bolton Cody Bolton Logs three-inning save
Wed, Apr 1, 2026, 8:24 AM
Bolton earned the save in Tuesday's 9-2 win over the Red Sox, allowing a run on three hits and a walk over three innings. He struck out five.
Analysis: Making his first appearance with the Astros, Bolton earned his first career save, pitching the final three innings in Tuesday's decisive victory. The 27-year-old right-hander made Houston's Opening Day bullpen with numerous pitchers starting the year on the injured list. Bolton has a career ERA of 5.60 with a 1.78 WHIP over 45 innings across four seasons. |
|
Cam Smith Cam Smith Hits first home run of season
Tue, Mar 31, 2026, 10:40 PM
Smith went 2-for-3 with a solo home run and a walk in Tuesday's 9-2 win over the Red Sox.
Analysis: Smith took Jovani Moran deep in the seventh inning for his first home run of the season. Smith entered play Tuesday with just two hits in 21 trips to the plate, but he's now reached base five times over the last two games and has drawn five walks in six games this season after walking just 8.7 percent of the time in 2025. Smith is competing for at-bats with Jake Meyers, Joey Loperfido and Brice Matthews in the Houston outfield, but the Astros want Smith to take hold of right field. |
|
Yordan Alvarez Yordan Alvarez Smacks third homer in win
Tue, Mar 31, 2026, 10:31 PM
Alvarez went 2-for-3 with a solo home run, two RBI, two runs scored and a walk in Tuesday's 9-2 win over the Red Sox.
Analysis: Alvarez has now homered in back-to-back games after taking Brayan Bello deep in the fifth inning. He previously drove home Jeremy Pena with an RBI double in the first inning against Bello. Coming off an injury-plagued 2025 season, Alvarez looks back to his normal self in the early going this season, slashing .381/.536/.905 with three home runs, six RBI, six runs scored and a 6:4 BB:K across 28 plate appearances. |
Connect With Us:
