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Colton Gordon Colton Gordon Shifts to bullpen
Sun, Apr 19, 2026, 10:51 PM
Gordon struck out five and allowed three earned runs on four hits and one walk across 2.2 innings out of the bullpen in Saturday's 7-5 loss to the Cardinals.
Analysis: Earlier in the week, Houston recalled Gordon from Triple-A Sugar Land and plugged him into a rotation that had recently lost all of Hunter Brown (shoulder), Cristian Javier (shoulder), Tatsuya Imai (arm) and Cody Bolton (back) to the injured list. Gordon was lit up for four earned runs on eight hits across 3.2 innings while taking a no-decision Tuesday in Houston's 7-6 win over Colorado, and the poor showing as a starter followed by the extended relief appearance looks like it will at least temporarily keep the left-hander from receiving additional turns through the rotation. Ryan Weiss and Peter Lambert would now appear to be the likely candidates to fill out the final two spots in the Houston rotation, which could be scaled back from six men to five during the upcoming week with an off day looming Thursday. |
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Nate Pearson Nate Pearson Moving closer to rehab assignment
Sun, Apr 19, 2026, 10:15 PM
Pearson (elbow) faced live hitters for the second time in an extended spring training game Friday, MLB.com reports.
Analysis: Pearson has been on the shelf all season while he works his way back from an offseason cleanup procedure on his right elbow, but the fact that he's now faced on multiple occasions suggests that a rehab assignment could be on the horizon. Given that he didn't pitch in any games during the Grapefruit League, Pearson will likely require an extended minor-league assignment before being activated from the 15-day injured list and joining the Houston bullpen. |
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Yordan Alvarez Yordan Alvarez Goes deep again in loss
Sun, Apr 19, 2026, 6:49 PM
Alvarez went 1-for-5 with a solo home run in Sunday's 7-5 extra-inning loss to the Cardinals.
Analysis: Alvarez homered for the third time in as many games in the bottom of the eighth inning. He's in the midst of a six-game hit streak that includes seven-extra base hits, seven RBI and seven runs scored. The 28-year-old slugger leads the majors with 10 long balls to go along with a 1.261 OPS, 21 RBI, 19 runs scored and a steal across 104 plate appearances in the early going. |
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Mike Burrows Mike Burrows Falters late in no-decision
Sun, Apr 19, 2026, 6:25 PM
Burrows did not factor into the decision in Sunday's 7-5 extra-inning loss to the Cardinals, allowing four runs on three hits and two walks with seven strikeouts over 4.2 innings.
Analysis: Burrows retired the first 14 batters he faced before unraveling with two outs in the fifth and ultimately being charged with four runs in the frame. What started as an encouraging step forward ended as his shortest outing of the season, and he's now allowed four earned runs or more in three of five starts. The 26-year-old will carry a 6.75 ERA, 1.69 WHIP and 25:9 K:BB across 26.2 innings into a tough home matchup against the Yankees next weekend. |
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Spencer Arrighetti Spencer Arrighetti Set to start Monday
Sun, Apr 19, 2026, 5:45 PM
Arrighetti will draw the start on the mound for Monday's series opener against the Guardians, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.
Analysis: Arrighetti will look to pick up where he left off Wednesday against the Rockies, punching out 10 batters over six innings of one-run ball. The right-hander will get an extended stay with the major-league roster due to Hunter Brown (shoulder), Tatsuya Imai (arm), Cristian Javier (shoulder) and Cody Bolton (back) all currently being on the 15-day injured list. |
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Cristian Javier Cristian Javier Out through late May
Sun, Apr 19, 2026, 4:18 PM
Astros general manager Dana Brown said Sunday that Javier (shoulder) isn't expected to return from the 15-day injured list until late May or early June, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports. "Hopefully it could be a little sooner."
Analysis: Hunter Brown is facing a similar timeline for a return after he was diagnosed with a Grade 2 right shoulder strain April 5 before Javier went down with the exact same injury in his start three days later. Javier remains in the midst of a no-throw program and is expected to be re-evaluated later on during the upcoming week before the Astros decide on his next steps. Even if Javier gets the green light to start playing catch following his re-evaluation, he looks like he'll require at least a month to get fully stretched back out. A more definitive target date for Javier's return won't become clear until he's ready to head out on what will likely be a multi-start minor-league rehab assignment. |
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Hunter Brown Hunter Brown Out through late May
Sun, Apr 19, 2026, 4:12 PM
Astros general manager Dana Brown said Sunday that Brown (shoulder) isn't expected to return from the 15-day injured list until late May or early June, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports. "Hopefully it could be a little sooner."
Analysis: Cristian Javier is facing a similar timeline for a return after both he and Brown sustained Grade 2 right shoulder strains within less than a week of one another. Shortly after Brown was diagnosed with the injury April 5, the Astros indicated that the right-hander would be shut down from throwing for two weeks before being re-evaluated, so he could be cleared to start playing light catch at some point in the coming days. Even so, Brown will be in line for a lengthy buildup, and a more definitive target date for his return won't become clear until he's ready to head out on what will likely be a multi-start minor-league rehab assignment. |
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Jayden Murray Jayden Murray Back in big leagues
Sun, Apr 19, 2026, 11:56 AM
The Astros recalled Murray from Triple-A Sugar Land on Sunday.
Analysis: The right-hander was optioned to Sugar Land last week but will rejoin the Astros with Joey Loperfido (quadriceps) landing on the injured list. Murray allowed two runs over two innings with a 3:3 K:BB in his lone appearance for Houston this season |
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Joey Loperfido Joey Loperfido IL move official
Sun, Apr 19, 2026, 11:40 AM
The Astros placed Loperfido on the 10-day injured list Sunday due to a right quadriceps strain.
Analysis: The 26-year-old sustained the quad injury during Friday's 9-4 loss to the Cardinals. Loperfido will be eligible to be reinstated April 28, and Astros general manager Dana Brown said during a radio appearance Sunday that he's optimistic that the 26-year-old outfielder will be ready to return at that time, per Brian McTaggart of MLB.com. In the meantime, the Astros will likely lean on Brice Matthews, Dustin Harris and Shay Whitcomb to pick up reps in left field in Loperfido's absence. |
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Braden Shewmake Braden Shewmake Dealt to Houston
Sun, Apr 19, 2026, 9:12 AM
The Astros acquired Shewmake from the Yankees on Sunday in exchange for right-hander Wilmy Sanchez.
Analysis: The 28-year-old infielder has previously seen big-league action with Atlanta in 2023 and the White Sox in 2024 and spent all of last season on the Yankees' 40-man roster before being outrighted in February. Shewmake had remained in New York's organization to start the season at Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, slashing .250/.314/.313 with no home runs and one stolen base over 36 plate appearances. He'll likely head to Triple-A Sugar Land with his new organization. |
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Lance McCullers Jr. Lance McCullers Jr. Allows four runs in loss
Sat, Apr 18, 2026, 10:20 PM
McCullers (1-1) took the loss against the Cardinals on Saturday, allowing four runs on four hits and three walks with four strikeouts over five innings.
Analysis: McCullers allowed two runs in the first and third innings, throwing 58 of 91 pitches for strikes while generating 10 whiffs. After going seven strong frames in his season debut March 30, the 32-year-old has now yielded 13 earned runs across his past three starts. He'll carry a 6.20 ERA, 1.33 WHIP and 21:9 K:BB across 20.1 innings into a tough home matchup against the Yankees next weekend. |
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Nick Allen Nick Allen Scratched due to back issue
Sat, Apr 18, 2026, 9:44 PM
Allen was scratched from Saturday's lineup due to back spasms, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports.
Analysis: Allen was originally in Saturday's lineup but ultimately was unable to take the field. Original reports suggested he was available for Saturday's game, though it appears that likely wasn't the case. The severity of the issue is not clear. |
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Joey Loperfido Joey Loperfido Likely headed for IL
Sat, Apr 18, 2026, 9:27 PM
Manager Joe Espada said Loperfido (quadriceps) will likely be placed on the injured list, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports.
Analysis: Loperfido suffered a quad injury in Friday's game against the Cardinals and was held out of the lineup Saturday. An official transaction could be coming on Sunday, though a more detailed diagnosis and timeline for return remain unclear. |
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Nick Allen Nick Allen Available off bench
Sat, Apr 18, 2026, 6:30 PM
Allen did not suffer an injury and is available off the bench for Saturday's game against the Cardinals, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports.
Analysis: Allen was originally in the lineup for Saturday's game, starting at shortstop while hitting ninth. However, he did not take the field with the starters, with Shay Whitcomb taking Allen's spot. The move appears to be discretionary, as the team has advised that Allen did not suffer an injury. |
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Shay Whitcomb Shay Whitcomb Enters Saturday's lineup
Sat, Apr 18, 2026, 6:21 PM
Whitcomb is starting at third base in Saturday's game against the Cardinals, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports.
Analysis: Whitcomb wasn't in the original lineup and the Astros never announced a change. However, he took the field with the rest of Houston's starters and is manning third base while hitting ninth. Nick Allen (undisclosed) was removed from the lineup. |
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Nick Allen Nick Allen Late scratch
Sat, Apr 18, 2026, 6:17 PM
Allen did not start Saturday's game against the Cardinals, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports.
Analysis: Allen was originally slated to start the game at shortstop while hitting ninth. The Astros never announced a change to the lineup, but Carlos Correa took the field at shortstop with Shay Whitcomb manning the hot corner. It's unclear if Allen suffered an injury or if the team just made a change to its lineup. |
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Joey Loperfido Joey Loperfido Not in Saturday's lineup
Sat, Apr 18, 2026, 2:54 PM
Loperfido (quadriceps) is not in the Astros' starting lineup against the Cardinals on Saturday.
Analysis: Loperfido injured his right quad during Friday's series opener. He'll rest up Saturday with the hopes that he is cleared to return to the lineup for Sunday's series finale. Houston will start Yordan Alvarez, Taylor Trammell and Cam Smith in the outfield from left to right. |
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Yainer Diaz Yainer Diaz Idle Saturday
Sat, Apr 18, 2026, 2:51 PM
Diaz is not in the Astros' starting lineup against the Cardinals on Saturday.
Analysis: Diaz will take a seat after starting in each of the Astros' last two games, going 0-for-8 with two strikeouts in that span. Christian Vazquez will start behind home plate and bat eighth while catching pitches from Lance McCullers. |
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Isaac Paredes Isaac Paredes Serving as DH vs. St. Louis
Sat, Apr 18, 2026, 2:50 PM
Paredes (leg) will serve as the designated hitter and bat fifth against the Cardinals on Saturday.
Analysis: Paredes entered Friday's game in the fourth inning as a pinch hitter but was later removed due to a leg injury, though the issue doesn't appear to be a serious one as he's back in the lineup for Saturday's contest. He has struggled at the plate as of late, going 0-for-11 with four walks and three strikeouts over his last four games. |
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Dustin Harris Dustin Harris Claimed by Houston
Sat, Apr 18, 2026, 12:50 PM
The Astros claimed Harris off waivers from the White Sox on Saturday.
Analysis: Harris was designated by the White Sox for assignment Wednesday, and he'll now be a part of the Astros' organization after being claimed Saturday, though he'll likely be assigned to Triple-A Sugar Land. Harris appeared in six regular-season games for the White Sox, going 3-for-12 with two steals, one RBI and two runs scored. |
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