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Overcomes hamstring injury
Sun, Jul 26, 2026, 4:46 PM
Janek (hamstring) has slashed .368/.400/.737 with two home runs, three stolen bases, four RBI and four runs in five games for Double-A Corpus Christi since being reinstated from the 7-day injured list July 16.
Analysis: Janek was on the shelf for about a month and a half due to the hamstring injury before being cleared to rejoin Corpus Christi coming out of the All-Star break. The 23-year-old backstop has produced a .183/.224/.323 slash line over 24 games at Double-A this season. |
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Facing long-term absence
Sun, Jul 26, 2026, 4:38 PM
Double-A Corpus Christi transferred Brutcher from the 7-day injured list to the 60-day IL on Monday while he recovers from an unspecified injury.
Analysis: An undrafted free agent out of South Florida who signed with the Astros in March 2025, Brutcher had been enjoying a breakout season in the lower levels of the minors. The 24-year-old first baseman posted a .304/.421/.478 slash line with seven home runs and 10 stolen bases across 62 games between High-A Asheville and Corpus Christi before hitting the shelf July 13. His injury looks like it could bring an early end to his 2026 season. |
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Kai-Wei Teng Kai-Wei Teng Jettisoned to Triple-A
Sun, Jul 26, 2026, 2:40 PM
The Astros optioned Teng to Triple-A Sugar Land on Sunday, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports.
Analysis: Teng was activated from the injured list in mid-July after missing a few weeks due to a knee sprain, but Houston elected to demote him after just two appearances, during which he gave up two runs on three hits with a 4:2 K:BB and four hit batsmen across 4.1 innings. The right-hander pitched to a 2.19 ERA, 1.05 WHIP and 8.8 K/9 through his first 17 outings of the year, but he has a 6.89 ERA across his past eight appearances (31.1 innings). |
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Miguel Ullola Miguel Ullola Moves up to big club
Sun, Jul 26, 2026, 2:28 PM
The Astros recalled Ullola from Triple-A Sugar Land prior to Sunday's game against the White Sox.
Analysis: Houston demoted Kai-Wei Teng to clear a spot on the 26-man active roster and in the bullpen for Ullola, who will join the big club for the second time this season after striking out seven over four scoreless innings in two appearances during his first stint in the majors. Ullola had earned his way back to Houston after striking out nine over 5.1 perfect innings in his last six relief outings at Sugar Land. |
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Lucas Spence Lucas Spence Hitting bench Sunday
Sun, Jul 26, 2026, 1:08 PM
Spence is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the White Sox.
Analysis: Spence will take a seat for the first time since being called up from Triple-A Sugar Land on July 17, paving the way for Taylor Trammell to pick up a start in center field. Over his first eight big-league games, Spence has gone 5-for-28 (.179 average) with a 2:11 BB:K, one RBI and two runs. |
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Christian Walker Christian Walker On bench Sunday
Sun, Jul 26, 2026, 1:03 PM
Walker is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the White Sox, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports.
Analysis: Walker started the past four games after missing two contests due to a hip issue, going 3-for-15 with a walk, a double, three RBI and seven strikeouts since returning to action. LaMonte Wade is starting at first base Sunday, which opens up left field for Zach Dezenzo. |
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Hayden Wesneski Hayden Wesneski Nearing return from 60-day IL
Sun, Jul 26, 2026, 8:30 AM
Wesneski (elbow) struck out seven and allowed one unearned run on two hits and two walks across 4.1 innings in a rehab start Friday with Triple-A Sugar Land.
Analysis: Wesneski has been on the shelf all season while completing his recovery from May 2025 Tommy John surgery, but he's closing in on his 2026 big-league debut. He's made five starts during his rehab assignment, with the right-hander having compiled a 2.25 ERA, 1.00 WHIP and 21:4 K:BB in 20 innings across stops with Sugar Land, Double-A Corpus Christi and the rookie-level Florida Complex League. After building up to 80 pitches and generating 12 whiffs in Friday's outing, Wesneski should be fully stretched out for a starting role and could be a candidate to move into the big-league rotation, which has an opening after Spencer Arrighetti (foot) was moved to the injured list Saturday. The Astros will need to add a new starter to the mix Wednesday in Anaheim, though it's unclear if Wesneski would be activated from the 60-day injured list to pitch on four days' rest, after he received at least five days of rest between each of his rehab appearances. |
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Josh Hader Josh Hader Collects save No. 12
Sat, Jul 25, 2026, 9:38 PM
Hader earned a save against the White Sox on Saturday by striking out both batters he faced in the ninth inning.
Analysis: Houston entered the bottom of the ninth with a 4-0 lead and Bennett Sousa on the mound. However, Sousa gave up a run on a pair of one-out singles and an error, at which point Hader was summoned from the bullpen. The veteran closer made sure that Chicago didn't come any closer by striking out both batters he faced on a combined 10 pitches. Hader continues to roll as one of the league's top closers -- he's 12-for-12 in save chances on the campaign while posting a 1.35 ERA, 0.90 WHIP and 33:8 K:BB over 20 innings spanning 22 appearances. |
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Hunter Brown Hunter Brown Returns to form Saturday
Sat, Jul 25, 2026, 9:31 PM
Brown (2-1) earned the win over the White Sox on Saturday, pitching seven scoreless innings during which he allowed two hits and struck out seven batters without issuing any walks.
Analysis: Brown struggled mightily across his first three starts in July, posting a 7.98 ERA and 1.91 WHIP with a startling 11:15 K:BB over 14.2 innings. He turned things around dramatically against Chicago on Saturday, completing seven frames for the first time in 2026 while collecting a season-high seven punchouts with a whopping 20 whiffs. Brown allowed just two baserunners (on a pair of singles) and retired the final 12 batters he faced in the dominant outing. His performance -- especially the lack of walks -- was promising both for the Astros and his fantasy managers, and Brown will look to build on the effort in his next start, which is lined up to come at home versus Texas. |
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Bryan King Bryan King Back with big club
Sat, Jul 25, 2026, 2:45 PM
The Astros recalled King from Triple-A Sugar Land on Saturday, Julia Morales of Space City Home Network reports.
Analysis: King was sent down to Triple-A after giving up eight earned runs over his last four outings (spanning five innings). Prior to that four-game stretch, he boasted a 2.02 ERA, 1.18 WHIP, 12 holds, six saves (on nine chances) and a 31:14 K:BB across 40 innings. Despite his recent struggles, King is back with the big club after the Astros placed Spencer Arrighetti (foot) on the 15-day injured list in a corresponding move. |
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Spencer Arrighetti Spencer Arrighetti Lands on 15-day IL
Sat, Jul 25, 2026, 2:43 PM
The Astros placed Arrighetti on the 15-day injured list Saturday due to right foot nerve irritation, Julia Morales of Space City Home Network reports.
Analysis: The injury surfaced during Arrighetti's start against the White Sox on Friday, which forced him to leave after allowing three runs on two hits and two walks while hitting two batters in one inning. He'll be sidelined until at least mid-August, but his recovery timeline should become more clear once he's cleared to resume baseball activities. Bryan King was recalled from Triple-A Sugar Land in a corresponding move. |
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Kai-Wei Teng Kai-Wei Teng Earns win in relief Friday
Sat, Jul 25, 2026, 8:49 AM
Weng (5-6) earned the win in relief Friday against the White Sox after allowing two runs on two hits and a walk across two innings. He struck out one.
Analysis: Teng pitched the fourth and fifth innings, as the Astros had to come up with a plan on the spot after Spencer Arrighetti (foot) was taken out of the game following the first inning. Teng has made 10 starts and 15 relief appearances this season, and he could be a candidate to rejoin the rotation if Arrighetti is forced to miss time. |
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Spencer Arrighetti Spencer Arrighetti Dealing with foot injury
Fri, Jul 24, 2026, 8:31 PM
Arrighetti was pulled from his start Friday against the White Sox due to right foot nerve irritation.
Analysis: Arrighetti gave up two hits and two walks and hit two batters while surrendering three runs in the first inning. He then felt discomfort on the mound while warming up for the second and left the game with a trainer. Arrighetti is lined up to take the mound again Wednesday against the Angels, though it remains unclear whether he'll be ready to go by then. |
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Spencer Arrighetti Spencer Arrighetti Exits with trainer
Fri, Jul 24, 2026, 7:18 PM
Arrighetti was removed from Friday's game against the White Sox with an apparent injury, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.
Analysis: Arrighetti gave up three runs during the first inning and was taken out of the game by a trainer after throwing a few warm-up pitches ahead of the second frame. It's unknown what exactly he's dealing with, but the Astros should provide an update on his status in the near future. |
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Isaac Paredes Isaac Paredes Lifts homer in win
Wed, Jul 22, 2026, 9:58 PM
Paredes went 2-for-4 with a solo home run in Wednesday's 5-2 win over the Marlins.
Analysis: Paredes has homered in consecutive contests. He's also on an eight-game hitting streak, having gone 12-for-31 (.387) with seven RBI in that span. The third baseman is now batting .263 with a .792 OPS, 14 long balls, 54 RBI, 42 runs scored, 18 doubles, one triple and no stolen bases over 97 contests in a near-everyday role. |
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Jeremy Pena Jeremy Pena Homers for third straight game
Wed, Jul 22, 2026, 9:55 PM
Pena went 3-for-4 with a solo home run and a second run scored in Wednesday's 5-2 win over the Marlins.
Analysis: Pena has turned up the power, going deep in three straight games against Miami. He's added six RBI and five runs scored in that span. Prior to this surge, the shortstop had gone 14 contests without a long ball. He's batting .302 with an .834 OPS, nine homers, 28 RBI, 42 runs scored, nine doubles and eight stolen bases over 56 contests while primarily serving as Houston's leadoff hitter when healthy. |
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Yordan Alvarez Yordan Alvarez Crushes homer in win
Wed, Jul 22, 2026, 9:53 PM
Alvarez went 2-for-4 with a two-run home run in Wednesday's 5-2 win over the Marlins.
Analysis: Alvarez has hit safely in nine straight games, seven of which have been multi-hit efforts. He has gone 17-for-33 (.515) with five homers and 10 RBI in that span. The star slugger has been excellent throughout the campaign, batting .328 with a 1.089 OPS, 34 homers, 77 RBI, 69 runs scored, 20 doubles and one stolen base through 102 contests. If he stays healthy, he is tracking toward career-best marks in homers and RBI and should receive plenty of MVP buzz. |
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Bryan Abreu Bryan Abreu Snags sixth save
Wed, Jul 22, 2026, 9:50 PM
Abreu struck out one in a perfect inning to earn the save in Wednesday's 5-2 win over the Marlins.
Analysis: Josh Hader had pitched in the first two games of the series versus Miami and was presumably rested Wednesday. Abreu got the job done well, throwing nine of 14 pitches for strikes to claim his sixth save this season. The veteran reliever has allowed two runs over seven innings with a 9:2 K:BB in July. Abreu hasn't logged a hold since the end of May, but he has collected three saves across 16 outings in that span. For the season, Abreu is at a 5.29 ERA, 1.59 WHIP and 43:27 K:BB through 34 innings. At this time, it appears there's little chance of Abreu claiming a large share of high-leverage spots, though he's in the mix -- along with Bryan King and Enyel De Los Santos -- for save chances when Hader's not available. |
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Peter Lambert Peter Lambert Stays hot with quality start
Wed, Jul 22, 2026, 9:46 PM
Lambert allowed two runs on six hits and two walks while striking out three over six innings in a no-decision versus the Marlins on Wednesday.
Analysis: Lambert has posted three straight quality starts, allowing four runs over 18 innings with a 20:6 K:BB in that span. He's been a little unlucky to take a no-decision in his last two outings, but he's still pitching well and has emerged as a reliable part of the Astros' rotation. The right-hander is now at a 3.03 ERA, 1.12 WHIP and 94:38 K:BB through 98 innings over 17 starts this season. Lambert's next start is projected to be in a favorable road matchup versus the Angels. |
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Cam Smith Cam Smith On bench for third straight game
Wed, Jul 22, 2026, 5:05 PM
Smith is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Marlins.
Analysis: Smith will wind up taking a seat for all three games of the series with Miami, though he made an impact off the bench in the opener Monday by walking in his lone plate appearance and claiming his 10th stolen base of the season. Taylor Trammell covered right field for the first two games against the Marlins, but LaMonte Wade will occupy the position in the finale. Smith could be part of a committee in right field while he's been in a prolonged slump at the plate. Dating back to July 4, Smith is slashing just .105/.186/.184 over a stretch of 13 contests. |
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