| News |
|---|
|
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. |
|
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. |
|
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. |
|
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. |
|
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. |
|
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. |
|
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. |
|
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. |
|
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. |
|
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. |
|
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. |
|
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. |
|
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. |
|
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. |
|
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. |
|
Cesar Salazar Cesar Salazar Receives outright assignment
Fri, Mar 27, 2026, 1:37 PM
Salazar cleared waivers and was outrighted to Triple-A Sugar Land on Friday, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.
Analysis: Salazar was designated for assignment Wednesday, but the 30-year-old catcher will remain within the Astros' organization. He could be called upon if Yainer Diaz or Christian Vazquez sustain an injury. |
|
Hunter Brown Hunter Brown Strikes out nine in no-decision
Thu, Mar 26, 2026, 6:59 PM
Brown did not factor into the decision Thursday against the Angels, allowing four hits and four walks across 4.2 scoreless innings. He struck out nine.
Analysis: Brown was impressive Thursday though he'd ultimately come away with a no-decision after needing 102 pitches to get through 4.2 frames. The 27-year-old Brown is looking to build on a breakout 2025 campaign, where he posted a 2.43 ERA with a 1.03 WHIP and 206 strikeouts across 31 starts (185.1 innings). Brown's currently slated to face the Red Sox at home in his next outing. |
|
Josh Hader Josh Hader Facing hitters by mid-April
Thu, Mar 26, 2026, 12:02 PM
Astros general manager Dana Brown said Thursday that Hader (biceps) will begin facing hitters by "mid-April," Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.
Analysis: Working his way back from left biceps tendinitis, Hader has been throwing off the mound since early March and is slated for another bullpen session Friday. He's still a couple weeks away from facing hitters, though, and will surely need a rehab assignment before being activated, making it unlikely he'll be back before late April. Houston will use Bryan Abreu at closer while Hader is sidelined. |
|
Brice Matthews Brice Matthews Claims Opening Day roster spot
Thu, Mar 26, 2026, 11:27 AM
The Astros announced Wednesday that Matthews won a spot on the Opening Day roster.
Analysis: Matthews is set to begin the season as a utility player for the Astros after producing an .817 OPS while seeing time at second base, left field and center field during spring training. The 24-year-old is also capable of playing shortstop, though the Astros will go with Carlos Correa at that position in Thursday's season opener versus the Angels as a replacement for the banged-up Jeremy Pena (finger). Matthews, who slashed just .167/.222/.452 in 47 plate appearances during his first taste of the majors last season, is likely to see most of his starts against left-handed pitching in the early going. |
|
Joey Loperfido Joey Loperfido Starts in left field, bats fifth
Thu, Mar 26, 2026, 11:19 AM
Loperfido will start in left field and bat fifth in Thursday's opener against the Angels.
Analysis: Loperfido beat out Zach Cole for the Astros' left-field job, and he's occupying a favorable spot in the batting order versus right-hander Jose Soriano. The 26-year-old Loperfido has an intriguing power/speed skill set but will have to make enough contact to keep a regular job. He has a 33.3 percent strikeout rate in his first 122 major-league games. |
Connect With Us:
