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Yordan Alvarez Yordan Alvarez Homers in second straight game
Sat, Jul 11, 2026, 11:26 PM
Alvarez went 2-for-3 with a home run, a double, two walks, two total runs and two total RBI in Saturday's 9-3 win against Texas.
Analysis: Alvarez reached base four times in the victory, and both of his hits went for extra bases. His biggest knock was a two-run homer to center field that opened the scoring in the first inning. Alvarez also went deep Friday, so he appears to be back on track following an uncharacteristic four-game stretch during which he went 1-for-18 at the plate. The slugger leads the American League and ranks second in baseball with 31 long balls this season, and he ranks first among qualified players with a 1.055 OPS though 95 contests. |
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LaMonte Wade Jr. LaMonte Wade Jr. Swats grand slam Saturday
Sat, Jul 11, 2026, 11:22 PM
Wade went 1-for-4 with a grand slam in a 9-3 victory versus the Rangers on Saturday.
Analysis: Wade struck out twice and was subbed out on defense in the seventh inning, but he made a big impact with one swing when he clubbed a grand slam to right field in the third inning. That was the veteran outfielder's second homer in nine games in the majors this season. Since returning from an IL stint caused by a hamstring injury July 4, Wade has started all five of Houston's games against a right-handed pitcher, so he appears to have a hold on a strong-side platoon role in left field. |
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Peter Lambert Peter Lambert Continues breakout campaign
Sat, Jul 11, 2026, 10:57 PM
Lambert (8-5) allowed one run on three hits and one walk while striking out seven batters over six innings to earn the win over Texas on Saturday.
Analysis: The only run Lambert allowed came on an Ezequiel Duran home run in the fourth inning. Beyond that, the Rangers collected just two other hits (both singles) against him and struck out seven times. Lambert finished with his sixth quality start of the season and collected his eighth victory -- as many as he recorded over his first four MLB campaigns combined. The right-hander seems to have benefitted from his year in Japan last season, as he's become a vital part of Houston's injury-plagued rotation. Through 15 starts, he holds a strong 3.14 ERA, 1.12 WHIP and 81:33 K:BB over 86 innings. |
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Cristian Javier Cristian Javier Getting chance to start Sunday
Sat, Jul 11, 2026, 9:34 PM
Javier will start for the Astros on Sunday versus Texas, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.
Analysis: Javier will take the mound for Houston's final game before the All-Star break after coming out of the bullpen in his previous two outings following a nearly three-month stint on the IL. While the right-hander threw only 39 and 30 pitches, respectively, in those two relief appearances, he worked up to 85 pitches and six innings during a five-game rehab assignment, so his start Sunday could last several frames. Manager Joe Espada said after Javier returned from the IL that his move to the bullpen wasn't necessarily permanent, so it's possible that the 29-year-old hurler will remain in the rotation following the break if he fares well Sunday. |
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Drafted by Houston
Sat, Jul 11, 2026, 6:03 PM
The Astros selected Peterson with the No. 133 overall pick in the 2026 First-Year Player Draft.
Analysis: Peterson beat Grady Emerson in a prep home run derby last year and had a down senior season. His defense at third base is a little shaky, but he has plus raw power that the Astros will try to help him get to more consistently in games. His plus arm could potentially fit in right field if he moves off third. |
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Ronel Blanco Ronel Blanco Making next start at Triple-A
Sat, Jul 11, 2026, 5:53 PM
Blanco (elbow) will make another rehab start at Triple-A Sugar Land on Sunday, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports.
Analysis: Blanco had been a candidate to return from the 60-day IL and start Sunday's first-half finale against the Rangers, but the Astros will look to get him one more tune-up outing in the minors before bringing him back after the All-Star break. Blanco's most recent start at Triple-A was cut short after two innings due to inclement weather, though he had built up to 60 pitches (4.1 innings) during his previous appearance. |
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Picked in fourth round
Sat, Jul 11, 2026, 5:48 PM
The Astros selected Durnin with the No. 121 overall pick in the 2026 First-Year Player Draft.
Analysis: Durnin transferred to Missouri after two years with Wichita State and has a shot to stick at shortstop. He slashed .329/.438/.570 with nine home runs, 11 steals and a 19.8 percent strikeout rate this spring. |
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Drafted by Houston
Sat, Jul 11, 2026, 5:23 PM
The Astros selected Johnson with the No. 93 overall pick in the 2026 First-Year Player Draft.
Analysis: Johnson generated a lot of buzz after being named Georgia's high school player of the year as a junior in 2025 but doesn't have top-end tools. The 18-year-old isn't expected to provide much on the basepaths but has strong contact skills and could have the defensive ability to stick at shortstop. |
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Cam Smith Cam Smith Hitting bench Saturday
Sat, Jul 11, 2026, 4:02 PM
Smith isn't in the lineup for Saturday's game against Texas, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports.
Analysis: Smith will get a day to reset after going 0-for-11 with a pair of walks across his last three games. Yordan Alvarez, Taylor Trammell and LaMonte Wade will start across Houston's outfield while Smith is on the bench. |
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Selected 57th overall by Astros
Sat, Jul 11, 2026, 4:01 PM
The Astros selected Mendes with the No. 57 overall pick in the 2026 First-Year Player Draft.
Analysis: Mendes is a southpaw out of Florida State with a five-pitch mix, highlighted by a mid-90s fastball and a changeup that is considered his best secondary offering. He has improved his strike-throwing ability in recent years and could make it as a starting pitcher in the big leagues. |
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Drafted by Houston
Sat, Jul 11, 2026, 2:57 PM
The Astros selected Radel with the No. 28 overall pick in the 2026 First-Year Player Draft.
Analysis: The 22-year-old Radel spent three years at Notre Dame and finished his collegiate career strong with a 3.29 ERA, 1.03 WHIP and 116:22 K:BB across 87.2 innings last season. The 6-foot-5, 250-pound righty sits in the mid-90s with his fastball and has developed his slider, curveball and changeup well, though he remains without a true standout pitch. |
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Popped by Houston
Sat, Jul 11, 2026, 2:06 PM
The Astros selected Hughes with the No. 17 overall pick in the 2026 First-Year Player Draft.
Analysis: Hughes is getting drafted for his lefty bat, as he hit over .500 on fastballs over 93 mph this spring at Texas Tech. In 55 games, he slashed .375/.510/.735 with 18 home runs, a 19.5 percent walk rate and a 12.8 percent strikeout rate as a junior. Hughes could be a designated hitter or left fielder when it's all said and done, but he has a chance to hit enough to profile at the bottom of the defensive spectrum. |
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Hunter Brown Hunter Brown Lasts six frames in no-decision
Sat, Jul 11, 2026, 9:33 AM
Brown didn't factor into the decision in Friday's 7-3 loss to the Rangers, allowing three earned runs on four hits and five walks while striking out four batters in six innings.
Analysis: The 27-year-old righty struggled to find his command on the mound throughout his start Friday, which began with a five-pitch walk of Joc Pederson to lead off a two-run first inning for the Rangers. Brown went on to issue four more free passes across the next three frames before serving up a solo homer to Pederson to lead off the fifth. Brown will carry a 3.57 ERA and 1.39 WHIP into the intermission, though he now owns a 4.74 ERA and 1.54 WHIP across 24.2 innings in five starts since returning from the injured list in mid-June. |
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Lance McCullers Jr. Lance McCullers Jr. Scheduled for another rehab start
Fri, Jul 10, 2026, 5:37 PM
McCullers (shoulder) will make his next rehab start July 17 with Double-A Corpus Christi, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.
Analysis: McCullers has so far logged three rehab starts, with his last taking place this past Tuesday with Triple-A Sugar Land, when he allowed four runs (two earned) on three hits and three walks while striking out four across four innings. He was a candidate to return to the Astros' rotation during the team's weekend series against the Rangers. However, McCullers requires at least one more outing in the minors but should rejoin the big club in late July following the All-Star break. |
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Braden Shewmake Braden Shewmake Designated for assignment
Fri, Jul 10, 2026, 3:43 PM
The Astros designated Shewmake for assignment Friday, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports.
Analysis: With Jeremy Pena (calf) back from the injured list, Shewmake loses his spot on the 40-man roster. The 28-year-old has slashed .256/.272/.423 with three homers, nine RBI, 10 runs scored and a 2:13 BB:K across 83 plate appearances with Houston this season. |
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Jeremy Pena Jeremy Pena Activated from injured list
Fri, Jul 10, 2026, 3:41 PM
The Astros activated Pena (calf) from the 10-day injured list Friday, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports.
Analysis: Houston DFA'd Braden Shewmake in a corresponding move. Pena hasn't played since June 28 due to a mild left calf strain, but he's ready to return to the lineup after missing just 11 days of action. The shortstop is slashing .295/.356/.443 with six homers, 21 RBI, 34 runs scored, eight stolen bases and a 15:35 BB:K across 202 plate appearances this season. |
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Cristian Javier Cristian Javier Delivers scoreless inning Wednesday
Thu, Jul 9, 2026, 11:28 AM
Javier allowed a hit and two walks in a scoreless inning in Wednesday's 8-2 loss to the Nationals.
Analysis: Javier was called upon for mop-up duty in the eighth inning Wednesday, as he continues to work his way back from a shoulder strain. The right-hander allowed a single and a walk to the first two batters he faced, though he'd ultimately make it through the inning unscathed. It's the first scoreless appearance of the season for Javier, who surrendered 13 runs across 9.1 innings prior to his IL stint, before giving up a run on two hits over two innings in relief against Tampa Bay in his return Sunday. |
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Spencer Arrighetti Spencer Arrighetti Falls apart in loss
Wed, Jul 8, 2026, 9:58 PM
Arrighetti (7-5) took the loss against the Nationals on Wednesday, allowing eight runs on seven hits and six walks with two strikeouts over four innings.
Analysis: Arrighetti opened with two scoreless innings but surrendered eight runs over the next three frames without recording an out in the fifth. He threw just 48 of 94 pitches for strikes and will close out the first half having allowed eight earned runs in two of his past three outings while surrendering at least four runs in five of his past seven. He owns a 4.50 ERA, 1.33 WHIP and 81:44 K:BB across 82 innings this season and will look to regroup during the upcoming All-Star break. |
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Taylor Trammell Taylor Trammell Idle for third straight game
Wed, Jul 8, 2026, 4:20 PM
Trammell is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Nationals.
Analysis: The left-handed-hitting Trammell will hit the bench for a third straight game, with his last two absences coming against left-handed starting pitchers. Brice Matthews will get the nod in center field Wednesday, but Trammell could still occupy the strong side of a platoon at the position. |
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Braden Shewmake Braden Shewmake Taking seat against southpaw
Wed, Jul 8, 2026, 4:18 PM
Shewmake is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Nationals.
Analysis: Shewmake will join fellow left-handed hitters LaMonte Wade and Taylor Trammell on the bench while the Astros stock up on some extra right-handed bats to counter Nationals southpaw Foster Griffin. Nick Allen will replace Shewmake at shortstop Wednesday, though both players are likely to see their opportunities in the middle infield dwindle this weekend, when Jeremy Pena (calf) is expected to return from the injured list. |
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