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Yordan Alvarez Yordan Alvarez Hot start to campaign
Sun, Mar 29, 2026, 8:46 PM
Alvarez went 1-for-2 with three walks, an RBI, a run scored and a stolen base in Sunday's 9-7 win over the Angels.
Analysis: Alvarez is off to a nice start this season, going 4-for-13 with a home run and five walks through his first four games. Health will be key for the slugger in 2026, as he alternates between DH and left field. Alvarez was limited to 48 games last year, where he batted .273 with just six homers, 27 RBI and a .797 OPS across 199 plate appearances. |
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Isaac Paredes Isaac Paredes Drives in two runs Sunday
Sun, Mar 29, 2026, 8:42 PM
Paredes went 2-for-5 with two doubles, two RBI and a run scored during the Astros' 9-7 win over the Angels on Sunday.
Analysis: Paredes gave the Astros an 8-6 lead with an two-run double in the eighth inning, which ended up being the winning runs for Houston. He went 0-for-7 with three strikeouts over the first two games of the series, but he turned things around over the final two contests, going 3-for-9 with on walk, four RBI and three runs scored. Paredes is looking to improve off his 2025 campaign, when he slashed .254/.352/.458 with 20 home runs and 53 RBI across 438 plate appearances. |
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Bryan King Bryan King Earns save Sunday
Sun, Mar 29, 2026, 8:38 PM
King earned the save in Sunday's 9-7 win over the Angels, allowing a hit and striking out two in two-thirds of an inning.
Analysis: After Bryan Abreu issued a pair of walks to start the ninth, the Astros turned to King to record the final two outs. The left-hander would give up an RBI single to Nolan Schanuel before rebounding to strike out Jorge Soler and Yoan Moncada, logging his first save this season. While Abreu will likely remain Houston's primary ninth-inning option while Josh Hader (biceps) is sidelined, King could see more save chances in the short term, depending on matchups. King posted a 2.05 ERA with a 0.85 WHIP and 76:16 K:BB across 52.2 innings in 2025. |
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Bryan Abreu Bryan Abreu Struggling early in 2026
Sun, Mar 29, 2026, 8:35 PM
Abreu allowed one run on two walks in one-third of an inning during the Astros' 9-7 win over the Angels on Sunday.
Analysis: Abreu was brought in for the top of the ninth inning to protect the Astros' three-run lead. However, he walked two of the three batters he faced and was replaced by Bryan King, and the former was tagged with a run on an RBI single from Nolan Schanuel. Abreu has yielded four earned runs on four walks and one hit across 1.1 innings to open the season, which isn't a great sign given that he was tabbed as the Astros' interim closer in the absence of Josh Hader (biceps). King could be thrust into closing situations if Abreu's early struggles continue. |
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Tatsuya Imai Tatsuya Imai Struggles in MLB debut
Sun, Mar 29, 2026, 8:26 PM
Imai did not factor into the decision in the Astros' 9-7 win over the Angels on Sunday. He allowed four runs on three hits and four walks while striking out four across 2.2 innings.
Analysis: Imai looked poised over the first two innings of his MLB debut, striking out four of the first eight batters he faced. However, things unravelled in the third, when he ran up his pitch count and yielded four runs in the frame before being pulled. Imai struggled with his control, with only 36 of his 74 pitches resulting in strikes (48.6 percent). It might take some time for him to adjust to his new surroundings after spending nine years with the Seibu Lions of Nippon Professional Baseball in Japan, but the expectations will still be high given the three-year, $54 million contract that he signed with Houston during the offseason. Imai will look for a better result in his next start, which is tentatively slated for next weekend on the road against the Athletics. |
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Yainer Diaz Yainer Diaz Getting breather Sunday
Sun, Mar 29, 2026, 12:34 PM
Diaz is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Angels, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports.
Analysis: Diaz will get a break Sunday after starting the first three games of the season. He's yet to get his bat going, having gone 2-for-12 with a walk, two RBI, a run and five strikeouts. Christian Vazquez is starting behind the plate in the series finale, batting ninth. |
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Jake Meyers Jake Meyers Taking seat Sunday
Sun, Mar 29, 2026, 12:31 PM
Meyers is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Angels, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports.
Analysis: Meyers has gone 2-for-8 with a walk, a double, a stolen base, two RBI and two runs through two contests but will sit for the second time in Houston's first four games of the season. Joey Loperfido will shift to center field Sunday while Yordan Alvarez picks up a start in the outfield. |
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Jake Meyers Jake Meyers Busy performance in win
Sat, Mar 28, 2026, 10:51 PM
Meyers went 2-for-5 with a double, two RBI, two runs scored and a stolen base in Saturday's 11-9 win over the Angels.
Analysis: Meyers did a little bit of everything Saturday, showing off both power and speed with his first extra-base hit and steal of the year. The 29-year-old has close to an everyday role in center field in store for 2026, but the right-handed-hitting Meyers hasn't turned in an OPS higher than .727 in any of his prior four seasons and may struggle for consistent fantasy value. |
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Cristian Javier Cristian Javier Ineffective in no-decision
Sat, Mar 28, 2026, 10:24 PM
Javier took a no-decision Saturday against the Angels, allowing six runs on four hits and four walks in 4.2 innings. He struck out one.
Analysis: The right-hander's command was spotty at best in his season debut, as he tossed 41 of his 74 pitches for strikes and also served up a pair of home runs. Javier had a delayed start to last year due to Tommy John surgery recovery, and it appears initially in 2026 that he still has some more rust to knock off after posting a 4.62 ERA through eight regular-season starts in 2025. Javier might be tough to trust in fantasy lineups in his next scheduled matchup at hitter-friendly Sutter Health Park versus the Athletics. |
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Jeremy Pena Jeremy Pena Not starting Saturday
Sat, Mar 28, 2026, 2:02 PM
Pena is not in the Astros' starting lineup against the Angels on Saturday, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports.
Analysis: Pena will take a seat after going 2-for-5 with a run scored and a stolen base in Friday's 6-2 loss to the Angels. Carlos Correa will shift over to shortstop while Isaac Paredes gets the start at third base Saturday. |
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Jeremy Pena Jeremy Pena Swipes bag in 2026 debut
Sat, Mar 28, 2026, 9:33 AM
Pena went 2-for-5 with a run scored and a stolen base in Friday's 6-2 loss to the Angels.
Analysis: After being held out Opening Day, Pena made his season debut hitting leadoff and set the table very effectively. The shortstop missed most of spring training and a chance to play for the Dominican Republic during the WBC, as a result of a fractured fingertip he sustained in early March, but Pena recovered in time to avoid a stint on the IL and appears to be fully healthy. |
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Mike Burrows Mike Burrows Roughed up in Houston debut
Sat, Mar 28, 2026, 9:28 AM
Burrows (0-1) took the loss Friday, coughing up five runs on nine hits and two walks over 5.2 innings as the Astros fell 6-2 to the Angels. He struck out six.
Analysis: Home runs by Josh Lowe in the second inning and Mike Trout in the fifth accounted for most of the damage off Burrows, who tossed 94 pitches (59 strikes) before getting lifted. It was an inauspicious Houston debut for the right-hander, who was acquired from Pittsburgh over the winter, but his workload was at least encouraging after Burrows worked 126 innings over 23 appearances (19 starts) between Triple-A and the majors in 2025. He'll look to bounce back in his next start, which lines up to come at home versus the Red Sox next week. |
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Peter Lambert Peter Lambert Reunites with Astros
Fri, Mar 27, 2026, 7:12 PM
Lambert signed a minor-league contract with the Astros on Friday, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.
Analysis: The Astros released Lambert on Tuesday after informing him he hadn't made the Opening Day roster, but the 28-year-old right-hander will return to the organization after testing the free-agent market. He will begin the year as bullpen depth at Triple-A Sugar Land. |
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Enyel De Los Santos Enyel De Los Santos Set for Triple-A appearance
Fri, Mar 27, 2026, 5:15 PM
De Los Santos (knee) will make a rehab appearance at Triple-A Sugar Land on Friday, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.
Analysis: De Los Santos opened up the season on the 15-day injured list because of a right knee strain he sustained at the start of spring training. The reliever made one appearance late in camp, and he'll continue his rehab at Triple-A. |
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Bennett Sousa Bennett Sousa Has Grade 1 oblique strain
Fri, Mar 27, 2026, 5:13 PM
Sousa's oblique injury has been diagnosed as a Grade 1 strain, and he isn't expected to miss more than the minimum 15 days, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.
Analysis: Sousa was officially placed on the 15-day injured list Wednesday, and further testing showed he's not dealing with a severe injury. While he may not be ready for activation immediately after the minimum 15 days, he should be back shortly thereafter. Once healthy, Sousa will likely serve as one of the Astros' top relievers. |
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Josh Hader Josh Hader Completes bullpen Friday
Fri, Mar 27, 2026, 5:09 PM
Hader (biceps) threw a bullpen session Friday, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.
Analysis: Hader's scheduled bullpen seemingly went as planned, which means the veteran lefty is still on schedule. Astros general manager Dana Brown said Thursday that Hader will begin facing hitters by mid-April, so he's still a ways away from returning. |
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Isaac Paredes Isaac Paredes In lineup again Friday
Fri, Mar 27, 2026, 3:22 PM
Paredes will bat third and DH in Friday's game against the Angels.
Analysis: Paredes started at third base on Opening Day due to the absence of Jeremy Pena (finger), and even with Pena back in action, Paredes remains in the lineup. Houston will move Yordan Alvarez to left field to avoid a same-handed matchup between Joey Loperfido and Halos starter Yusei Kikuchi. While Paredes may not have an everyday role, he could force his way into the lineup if his bat gets hot. |
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Joey Loperfido Joey Loperfido On bench against LHP
Fri, Mar 27, 2026, 3:18 PM
Loperfido isn't part of the lineup for Friday's game against the Angels.
Analysis: Loperfido will avoid a matchup with left-hander Yusei Kikuchi, which means Yordan Alvarez will draw a start in left field and Isaac Paredes will DH. Loperfido went 2-for-4 with a double on Opening Day. |
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Jake Meyers Jake Meyers Idle Friday
Fri, Mar 27, 2026, 2:59 PM
Meyers is out of the lineup for Friday's game against the Angels.
Analysis: Meyers will cede center-field duties to Brice Matthews on Friday. Meyers went 0-for-3 with a strikeout and a walk while batting ninth on Opening Day. |
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Jeremy Pena Jeremy Pena In lineup Friday
Fri, Mar 27, 2026, 2:56 PM
Pena (finger) is leading off and playing shortstop Friday against the Angels.
Analysis: Pena was held out on Opening Day, but he's back in action for game No. 2. His return to the lineup pushes Carlos Correa to third base, while Isaac Paredes moves to DH and Yordan Alvarez fills left field. Pena sustained a fractured finger March 4. |
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