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Hunter Brown Hunter Brown Fans eight in quality start
Wed, Aug 5, 2026, 8:59 PM
Brown didn't factor into the decision in Wednesday's 5-4 extra-inning loss to the Blue Jays, allowing three runs on three hits and two walks over six innings. He struck out eight.
Analysis: The right-hander had a shutout going through five frames but Brown faded in the sixth, with a two-run homer by Jesus Sanchez tying the game. Brown exited after 93 pitches (54 strikes) having to settle for his fifth quality start of the season. He'll take a 3.53 ERA, 1.24 WHIP and 63:32 K:BB through 58.2 innings into his next outing, which is set to come on the road early next week in San Francisco. |
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Brice Matthews Brice Matthews Aiming for mid-August return
Wed, Aug 5, 2026, 11:48 AM
General manager Dana Brown said Sunday that the Astros are targeting "mid-August, potentially the third week of August" for Matthews' (knee) return from the 10-day injured list, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.
Analysis: Per MLB.com, Matthews has been cleared to field grounders and hit on the field, but he has yet to resume running at full speed since landing on the injured list July 17 due to a left knee sprain. Before going down with the injury, Matthews had made six starts in center field over a seven-game stretch, but he'll be in search of playing time elsewhere once he returns after Houston acquired Daulton Varsho from Toronto on Monday. |
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Cam Smith Cam Smith Riding pine Wednesday
Wed, Aug 5, 2026, 10:57 AM
Smith is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against Toronto.
Analysis: Despite holding a six-game hitting streak dating back to July 29, Smith will sit out Wednesday's series finale. Taylor Trammell will move over to right field and bat fifth for Houston. |
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Isaac Paredes Isaac Paredes Sitting out Wednesday
Wed, Aug 5, 2026, 10:46 AM
Paredes is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against Toronto, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports.
Analysis: In his last three games, Paredes is a combined 0-for-13 with a walk and three strikeouts. Houston will give the 27-year-old the day off amid his slump, with Nick Allen manning third base and batting ninth. |
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Jose Altuve Jose Altuve Three hits in win
Wed, Aug 5, 2026, 9:08 AM
Altuve went 3-for-4 with two runs scored and two RBI in Tuesday's 7-2 win over the Blue Jays.
Analysis: It's the third straight multi-hit game for Altuve, who's gone 7-for-13 in that span, though all seven hits have been singles. Altuve has gone 13 contests without an extra-base hit -- he's batting .278 (15-for-54) in that span, albeit with a .581 OPS. Overall, Altuve is slashing .241/.304/.389 through 386 plate appearances this season with 12 homers, 33 RBI, 53 runs scored and two steals. |
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Taylor Trammell Taylor Trammell Launches three-run shot Tuesday
Wed, Aug 5, 2026, 9:01 AM
Trammell went 1-for-3 with a three-run home run, an additional run scored and a walk in Tuesday's win over the Blue Jays.
Analysis: Trammell took Chad Dallas deep in the fifth inning for his sixth long ball of the season, giving the Astros a lead they'd never relinquish. Trammell has launched three of his six homers over his last nine games and is batting .276 with a 1.068 OPS in that stretch. |
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Hayden Wesneski Hayden Wesneski Earns win, tosses quality start
Wed, Aug 5, 2026, 8:28 AM
Wesneski (2-0) earned the win Tuesday against the Blue Jays after tossing six innings of two-run ball, allowing four hits and two walks while striking out four. He also tossed a wild pitch.
Analysis: Wesneski delivered a strong outing to strengthen his case for a spot in the rotation over the final two months of the regular season. With Spencer Arrighetti (foot) shipped to Toronto and Tatsuya Imai moving to the bullpen, all signs point to Wesneski remaining as a starter. Wesneski has made just two starts this season since returning from Tommy John surgery and the numbers are decent, as he's allowed five runs on 11 hits and four walks while striking out eight, tossing two wild pitches and hitting a batter. He has won both starts and owns a 3.86 ERA ahead of his next outing, which is tentatively scheduled for next week on the road against the Giants. |
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Carlos Correa Carlos Correa Cleared to swing bat
Tue, Aug 4, 2026, 5:44 PM
Correa (ankle) was cleared to swing a bat Tuesday and is attempting to return to the team before the end of the season, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.
Analysis: Correa went down with a left ankle injury in early May and underwent what was believed to be season-ending ankle surgery. However, as McTaggart reports, Correa is attempting to defy the odds and return to action late in the 2026 season, as the Astros jockey for a playoff spot in the American League. Correa slashed .279/.369/.418 with three homers, 16 RBI, 22 runs scored, one stolen base and an 18:26 BB:K across 141 plate appearances before the ankle injury this season. |
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Hayden Wesneski Hayden Wesneski Remaining in rotation
Tue, Aug 4, 2026, 11:22 AM
Wesneski is slated to start Tuesday's game against the Blue Jays in Houston.
Analysis: After completing his recovery from May 2025 Tommy John surgery and finishing up a five-start rehab assignment, Wesneski returned from the 60-day injured list last Wednesday and stepped into the Houston rotation. He picked up a win in his 2026 debut, limiting the Angels to three earned runs on seven hits and two walks while striking out four batters over 5.2 innings. With Houston dealing away Spencer Arrighetti (foot) on Monday and recently shifting Tatsuya Imai to the bullpen, Wesneski should have a fair amount of security in the rotation over the rest of the season if he performs capably. |
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Tatsuya Imai Tatsuya Imai Sharp out of bullpen
Tue, Aug 4, 2026, 7:22 AM
Imai didn't factor into the decision Monday against the Blue Jays after striking out five across three perfect innings in relief.
Analysis: Imai was stellar in his first appearance out of the bullpen for the Astros, as he held Toronto without a baserunner for three innings while striking out the final five batters he faced. It's certainly an encouraging development for Imai, who struggled to a 7.71 ERA across 11.2 innings in his last four starts. In the wake of Monday's successful performance, Houston figures to keep Imai in a bulk-relief role for the time being. Overall, the right-hander carries a 6-4 record with a 5.55 ERA, 1.46 WHIP and 77:40 K:BB across 61.2 innings this season. |
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Lucas Spence Lucas Spence Demoted to Triple-A
Mon, Aug 3, 2026, 7:40 PM
The Astros optioned Spence to Triple-A Sugar Land on Monday.
Analysis: Spence had already begun to cede more starts in center field to Taylor Trammell over the past week, and the rookie's playing-time outlook would have worsened had he stuck around after the Astros acquired Daulton Varsho on Monday. The Astros have thus elected to send Spence back to Sugar Land, where he'll get the chance to play regularly. During his first taste of the big leagues, Spence slashed just .162/.244/.189 with a 36.6 percent strikeout rate over 41 plate appearances. |
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LaMonte Wade Jr. LaMonte Wade Jr. Looks like odd man out of lineup
Mon, Aug 3, 2026, 7:22 PM
Wade is out of the lineup for Monday's game against the Blue Jays.
Analysis: Wade will take a seat for a second straight matchup versus a right-handed starting pitcher (Shane Bieber) and appears headed for a role reduction after the Astros bolstered their outfield by acquiring Daulton Varsho from the Blue Jays on Monday. Varsho will enter the lineup right away Monday, covering center field while Taylor Trammell and Cam Smith flank him in the corner spots. Since being reinstated from the injured list July 4, Wade is batting just .167 with one home run, 10 RBI and eight runs in 20 games. |
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Daulton Varsho Daulton Varsho Batting cleanup in Astros debut
Mon, Aug 3, 2026, 7:19 PM
Varsho will start in center field and bat cleanup in his Astros debut Monday versus the Blue Jays.
Analysis: A little under two hours before Monday's trade deadline, the Astros acquired Varsho from the Blue Jays in exchange for right-hander Spencer Arrighetti (foot). Because the Astros are opening a three-game series in Toronto on Monday, Varsho didn't have to travel to meet up with his new team and will enter the starting nine right away. Manager Joe Espada told Chandler Rome of The Athletic prior to Monday's contest that he plans for Varsho to hit in the middle of the order while serving as the Astros' everyday center field. |
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Daulton Varsho Daulton Varsho Packing bags for Houston
Mon, Aug 3, 2026, 3:17 PM
The Astros acquired Varsho and cash considerations from the Blue Jays on Monday in exchange for Spencer Arrighetti (foot).
Analysis: The Astros have been desperate for outfield help and have landed on Varsho, who is slashing a disappointing .243/.307/.375 with seven home runs, nine stolen bases and a 29:71 BB:K over 99 games this season. The impending free agent had an .833 OPS with 20 home runs in just 71 games last season, and he's among the better defensive center fielders in the game. |
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Jeremy Pena Jeremy Pena Stays hot with 13th homer
Mon, Aug 3, 2026, 6:23 AM
Pena went 2-for-4 with a two-run homer in Sunday's 7-3 win over the Rangers.
Analysis: Pena extended Houston's lead to 3-0 with his 13th homer of the season, a two-run shot off Kumar Rocker. The 28-year-old Pena has been on a tear at the dish -- he extended his hitting streak to 14 games Sunday, going 26-for-60 (.433) with seven homers and a 1.335 OPS in that span. Overall, Pena's boosted his slash line to .322/.375/.529 across 280 plate appearances this year with 53 runs scored. 36 RBI and eight stolen bases. |
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AJ Blubaugh AJ Blubaugh Earns first career save
Sun, Aug 2, 2026, 9:45 PM
Blubaugh recorded his first major-league save Sunday against the Rangers, striking out one over 1.1 scoreless innings.
Analysis: With five relievers, including Josh Hader, having pitched the previous night, Blubaugh was called upon with two outs and two runners aboard in the eighth inning. He escaped the jam by striking out Jake Burger before retiring the Rangers in order on just nine pitches in the ninth to secure the first save of his MLB career. The right-hander has now recorded consecutive scoreless appearances for the first time since July 1, though he has continued to miss bats throughout that stretch, compiling a 21:3 K:BB across 16 innings. |
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Peter Lambert Peter Lambert Fans eight in no-decision
Sun, Aug 2, 2026, 9:25 PM
Lambert did not factor into the decision Sunday against the Rangers, allowing two runs on three hits and two walks while striking out eight over 5.2 innings.
Analysis: Lambert was perfect through his first four innings, piling up seven strikeouts before Texas finally broke through. In the fifth, the right-hander allowed four consecutive baserunners to begin the inning, resulting in the only two runs charged to him. Lambert has now held opponents to two runs or fewer in 11 of his last 12 starts while posting a 2.63 ERA during that stretch. He's scheduled to make his next start Saturday against the Padres. |
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Cristian Javier Cristian Javier Getting start Monday
Sun, Aug 2, 2026, 4:05 PM
Javier is scheduled to start Monday's game against the Blue Jays, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.
Analysis: It will be the fifth start of the season for Javier, who came out of the bullpen in his past two appearances and allowed just four hits with a 9:0 K:BB across six scoreless innings. The right-hander has a 3.00 ERA, 1.42 WHIP and 17:6 K:BB over 12 frames in five appearances since returning from a shoulder strain in early July. |
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LaMonte Wade Jr. LaMonte Wade Jr. Moving to bench Sunday
Sun, Aug 2, 2026, 1:08 PM
Wade is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Rangers.
Analysis: Wade had started in left field in the first two games of the series, going 2-for-5 with a double, a walk, two RBI and a run scored between those contests. He'll exit the lineup Sunday while Yordan Alvarez receives a turn in left field, but Wade still looks to have a hold on at least a semi-regular spot in the lineup versus right-handed pitching. |
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Taylor Trammell Taylor Trammell Emerging as primary center fielder
Sun, Aug 2, 2026, 1:06 PM
Trammell will start in center field and bat fifth in Sunday's game against the Rangers.
Analysis: Trammell will stick in the lineup for a seventh straight game after getting on base at a .423 clip over the prior six contests while adding two home runs, five runs and four RBI. He appears to have usurped Lucas Spence as the Astros' preferred option in center field. |
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