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Spencer Arrighetti Spencer Arrighetti Takes first loss Saturday
Sat, May 9, 2026, 6:18 PM
Arrighetti (4-1) took the loss against the Reds on Saturday, allowing three runs (one earned) on five hits and three walks with five strikeouts over 5.2 innings.
Analysis: All of the damage against Arrighetti came in a three-run fifth inning, and he departed one out shy of a quality start at 93 pitches. The 26-year-old has yielded just one earned run in four of his five outings this season, though he's also issued at least three walks four times. He owns a 1.88 ERA, 1.33 WHIP and 30:17 K:BB across 28.2 innings and lines up for a home matchup against the Mariners next week. |
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Kai-Wei Teng Kai-Wei Teng Starting Sunday's game
Sat, May 9, 2026, 5:55 PM
Teng will start Sunday's game against the Reds, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports.
Analysis: Teng has been great since moving into the bullpen, posting a 2.35 ERA and 0.96 WHIP with a 22:7 K:BB through 23 innings. The Astros are running thin on starters, however, so they'll pencil the 27-year-old in for his second start of the season. He hasn't recorded more than nine outs in an appearance yet this year, so he'll likely remain in Sunday's contest for a handful of innings before turning things over to the bullpen. |
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Jeremy Pena Jeremy Pena Runs bases Saturday
Sat, May 9, 2026, 2:19 PM
Pena (hamstring) ran the bases Saturday, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports.
Analysis: Manager Joe Espada said Friday that running the bases would be the final step in Pena's rehab program before he gets cleared to begin playing in rehab games. The Astros are going to wait to see how he feels Sunday before making any decisions, but Houston's skipper is optimistic that the 28-year-old infielder will be playing in minor-league games within the next couple of days. Nick Allen and Braden Shewmake will continue to start at shortstop for the Astros until Pena is activated. |
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Hunter Brown Hunter Brown Shifts to 60-day IL
Sat, May 9, 2026, 1:22 PM
The Astros transferred Brown (shoulder) to the 60-day injured list Saturday.
Analysis: Brown was given roughly a two-month return timeline when he was diagnosed with a Grade 2 right shoulder strain in early April, so moving to the 60-day IL doesn't affect his timeline much. The right-hander began throwing bullpen sessions Friday and will likely do so several more times before getting the green light to throw live batting practice and eventually head out on a rehab assignment. Rhylan Thomas was claimed off waivers from Seattle in a corresponding move. |
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Rhylan Thomas Rhylan Thomas Claimed by Astros
Sat, May 9, 2026, 1:18 PM
The Astros claimed Thomas off waivers from the Mariners on Saturday and optioned him to Triple-A Sugar Land.
Analysis: Thomas was DFA'd by Seattle on Sunday after slashing .260/.313/.328 with two homers, nine RBI and 15 runs scored through 31 games in Triple-A. He'll remain in the minors to begin his time with the Astros, though his addition to the 40-man roster will make it easier for him to return to the majors at some point. Hunter Brown (shoulder) was transferred to the 60-day IL in a corresponding move. |
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Nick Allen Nick Allen Sitting Saturday
Sat, May 9, 2026, 12:27 PM
Allen isn't in the lineup for Saturday's game againts the Reds, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports.
Analysis: Allen will take a seat on the bench Saturday after going 2-for-9 with a run scored during his first three games back from the injured list. Braden Shewmake will start at shortstop and bat eighth while Allen rests. |
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Jayden Murray Jayden Murray Returns to majors
Sat, May 9, 2026, 12:05 PM
The Astros recalled Murray from Triple-A Sugar Land on Saturday, Julia Morales of Space City Home Network reports.
Analysis: Murray was optioned to Triple-A on Sunday, but he'll now return to the big-league bullpen to replace Bennett Sousa (elbow), who landed on the IL on Saturday. Murray will likely be limited to middle-relief duties after giving up four earned runs over six innings during his first four appearances with the Astros this year. |
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Bennett Sousa Bennett Sousa Back on injured list
Sat, May 9, 2026, 12:02 PM
The Astros placed Sousa on the 15-day injured list Saturday with left elbow inflammation, retroactive to Wednesday, Julia Morales of Space City Home Network reports.
Analysis: After missing the first month of the season with an oblique injury, Sousa is now set to sit out another couple of weeks due to an elbow issue, though it remains unknown whether he'll require more than a minimum stay. Jayden Murray was recalled from Triple-A Sugar Land to fill the void in Houston's bullpen. |
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Yordan Alvarez Yordan Alvarez Clubs 13th homer
Sat, May 9, 2026, 8:22 AM
Alvarez went 2-for-4 with a two-run home run in Friday's 10-0 rout of the Reds.
Analysis: The 28-year-old slugger helped chase Nick Lodolo from the game with a sixth-inning blast to right field. It was Alvarez's first long ball in May and his 13th of the season, third in the American League behind the Yankees' Aaron Judge and the White Sox's Munetaka Murakami (15 each). All three are tied for the AL lead in RBI at 29 with the Rays' Jonathan Aranda. |
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Zach Dezenzo Zach Dezenzo Belts first homer of 2026
Sat, May 9, 2026, 8:17 AM
Dezenzo went 1-for-3 with a two-run home run in Friday's 10-0 win over the Reds.
Analysis: Getting the start in left field and batting seventh, Dezenzo took a returning Nick Lodolo deep in the second inning to get the rout started. It was Dezenzo's first hit in the majors this year, and since getting called up Tuesday the 25-year-old has started back-to-back games in left, once against a southpaw and once against a right-handed pitcher. He could have a path to consistent playing time if he's able to out-produce Zach Cole. |
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Mike Burrows Mike Burrows Dazzles in second win
Sat, May 9, 2026, 8:12 AM
Burrows (2-4) picked up the win in Friday's 10-0 rout of the Reds, allowing three hits and a walk over seven scoreless innings. He struck out six.
Analysis: In the right-hander's best performance of the season, Burrows survived a bases-loaded, one-out situation in the fourth inning unscathed, eventually leaving the mound after 98 pitches (62 strikes). Burrows has delivered back-to-back quality starts, his first two of the year, as he begins to shake off a rough start to his first campaign with Houston. He'll take a 5.04 ERA, 1.48 WHIP and 42:14 K:BB through 44.2 innings into his next outing, which lines up to come at home next week against the Mariners. |
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Hunter Brown Hunter Brown Throws bullpen session
Fri, May 8, 2026, 4:56 PM
Brown (shoulder) threw a successful bullpen session Friday, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports.
Analysis: The right-hander continues to progress in his throwing program after landing on the injured list in early April due to a Grade 2 shoulder strain. Brown will likely need at least a few more bullpen sessions before being cleared to face live batters and eventually embarking on a rehab assignment. |
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Jeremy Pena Jeremy Pena On cusp of rehab stint
Fri, May 8, 2026, 4:23 PM
Manager Joe Espada said Friday that Pena (hamstring) will "hopefully" run the bases this weekend, which would be the final step in his rehab program before starting a rehab assignment, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports.
Analysis: The shortstop has been on the shelf nearly four weeks due to a strained hamstring, but he's close to being cleared for game action. Pena shouldn't require a lengthy rehab assignment before rejoining Houston's active roster, so a return in mid-May remains on the table. |
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Logan VanWey Logan VanWey Back in big leagues
Fri, May 8, 2026, 1:40 PM
The Astros selected VanWey's contract from Triple-A Sugar Land on Friday.
Analysis: VanWey holds a 5.74 ERA and 1.58 WHIP with 19 strikeouts over 15.2 innings with Sugar Land this season. The right-hander will provide the Astros with a fresh bullpen arm. |
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Logan VanWey Logan VanWey Expected to be called up Friday
Thu, May 7, 2026, 9:15 PM
VanWey is expected to be called up from Triple-A Sugar Land on Friday, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.
Analysis: VanWey will join the Astros in Cincinnati ahead of the team's three-game series against the Reds. The right-hander has compiled a 5.74 ERA and 1.58 WHIP with 19 strikeouts over 15.2 innings in 15 appearances with Sugar Land so far this season. VanWey will replace Jason Alexander on the major-league roster after Alexander was sent down to Triple-A on Wednesday. |
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Daniel Johnson Daniel Johnson Inks minor-league deal with Houston
Thu, May 7, 2026, 9:07 PM
Johnson and the Astros agreed on a minor-league contract Thursday.
Analysis: Johnson will head to Triple-A Sugar Land after initially electing to become a free agent following his designation for assignment by the Astros on Monday. The 29-year-old has combined to go 2-for-20 with a double, an RBI and two runs scored over six contests with Triple-A Jacksonville and Triple-A Sugar Land so far this year. |
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Brice Matthews Brice Matthews Swats fourth homer
Wed, May 6, 2026, 6:41 PM
Matthews went 1-for-4 with a solo home run in Wednesday's 12-2 loss to the Dodgers.
Analysis: The 24-year-old led off the bottom of the first inning by ripping a Tyler Glasnow (back) sinker into the Crawford Boxes in left field, but it was the only lead the Astros would hold on the afternoon. Matthews is up to four homers on the season, and three of them have come in the last nine games -- a stretch in which he's batting .323 (10-for-31) with five runs and eight RBI as he begins to establish himself as an everyday player for Houston. |
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Jason Alexander Jason Alexander Back in minors
Wed, May 6, 2026, 4:58 PM
The Astros optioned Alexander to Triple-A Sugar Land on Wednesday.
Analysis: Alexander was recalled from Triple-A on Tuesday, but he'll head back down after giving up five earned runs over 4.1 innings during Wednesday's loss to the Dodgers. The 33-year-old righty owns a 4.97 ERA and 1.52 WHIP through 29 innings (six starts) in the minors this season and could be called upon to make more appearances in the majors this year, especially considering the number of injuries that have already hit Houston's pitching staff. |
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Lance McCullers Jr. Lance McCullers Jr. Short start due to possible blister
Wed, May 6, 2026, 2:27 PM
McCullers was removed from his start Wednesday against the Dodgers in the top of the third inning after he appeared to be contending with a blister on his pitching hand, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports. He was charged with six earned runs on four hits and three walks over 2.2 innings prior to his departure.
Analysis: McCullers was visited on the mound by manager Joe Espada and a team trainer at one point during his start, and though he was able to stay in the game, he continued to struggle with his control before the Astros pulled him from the contest. In addition to issuing three free passes, McCullers threw three wild pitches and found the strike zone on just 39 of his 70 pitches overall. Even if McCullers checks out fine on the health front and is ready to make his next start, the Astros may have to begin to consider moving him out of the rotation. After the disastrous outing Wednesday, McCullers's ERA now sits at 7.41 over 34 innings on the season. |
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Shay Whitcomb Shay Whitcomb Called up to majors
Wed, May 6, 2026, 12:17 PM
Whitcomb was recalled from Triple-A Sugar Land on Wednesday.
Analysis: In response to Carlos Correa (ankle) being placed on the 10-day IL, Whitcomb will join Houston for the series finale against the Dodgers on Wednesday. The 27-year-old is back with the Astros after being demoted Monday and is likely to fill a reserve role. |
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