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Jordan Weems Jordan Weems Contract selected
Wed, Aug 13, 2025, 1:43 PM
The Astros selected Weems' contract from Triple-A Sugar Land on Wednesday.
Analysis: Weems gave up a couple runs over three relief innings earlier this season for the Astros before being booted off the 40-man roster. He's now back on the active roster and will give manager Joe Espada a fresh bullpen arm. |
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Colton Gordon Colton Gordon Dispatched back to Triple-A
Wed, Aug 13, 2025, 1:41 PM
The Astros optioned Gordon to Triple-A Sugar Land on Wednesday.
Analysis: Gordon's latest stint with the big club lasted only one day, as he'll be sent down after yielding five runs (four earned) in a two-inning relief outing Tuesday versus the Red Sox. Jordan Weems is taking Gordon's spot on the roster. |
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Bryan Abreu Bryan Abreu Astros won't name fill-in closer
Wed, Aug 13, 2025, 9:24 AM
While Abreu "would seem a logical choice" to take over as the Astros' closer following the injury to Josh Hader (shoulder), per Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle, manager Joe Espada said Tuesday that he's "not naming (anyone) for the ninth."
Analysis: Abreu has been phenomenal again this season, collecting a 1.67 ERA and 79:25 K:BB over 54 innings. The right-hander is the best bet to handle most of the save chances for the Astros while Hader is shelved, but Espada seems to be leaning toward more of a committee approach. With Hader unavailable, Bennett Sousa earned his fourth save of the season in Monday's win over the Red Sox. Abreu, Sousa, Steven Okert, Bryan King and Shawn Dubin could all be in the mix for saves for Houston while Hader is out. |
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Jeremy Pena Jeremy Pena Swipes bag Tuesday
Wed, Aug 13, 2025, 8:13 AM
Pena went 3-for-5 with a stolen base during Tuesday's 14-1 loss to Boston.
Analysis: Pena produced one-third of Houston's hits during the blowout -- all singles -- and notched his 17th stolen base of the campaign. The shortstop is now three steals shy of tying his career high in the category after logging a steal in back-to-back games. Pena is 12-for-41 (.293) with a homer, two doubles and a triple during August. |
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Lance McCullers Jr. Lance McCullers Jr. Set for rehab outing
Wed, Aug 13, 2025, 8:04 AM
McCullers (finger) will begin a rehab assignment Friday with Triple-A Sugar Land, MLB.com reports.
Analysis: McCullers threw a bullpen session in Houston on Tuesday after throwing a four-inning simulated game a week earlier. Given the significant ramp-up before his scheduled rehab start, McCullers could be activated from the injured list by late August. |
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Spencer Arrighetti Spencer Arrighetti Struggles with control during loss
Wed, Aug 13, 2025, 8:02 AM
Arrighetti (1-3) took the loss Tuesday against Boston, allowing two runs on one hit and five walks with three strikeouts over five innings.
Analysis: Arrighetti was hit around by Miami in his first start off the injured list last week and struggled to find the zone Tuesday. The 25-year-old had been sidelined since early April, so it's not too surprising for him to be rusty. That said, he allowed nine runs (seven earned) during his three-start minor-league rehab stint, which doesn't inspire much confidence. He'll look to get back on track in his next start, which is tentatively scheduled to come in Detroit. |
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Yordan Alvarez Yordan Alvarez Nearing live at-bats
Tue, Aug 12, 2025, 6:25 PM
Manager Joe Espada said Tuesday that Alvarez (hand) could advance to facing live pitching this weekend, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.
Analysis: The veteran slugger has been ramping up his hitting progression over the past couple weeks and is now on the cusp of facing live pitching for the first time since suffering a setback with his fractured right hand over a month ago. GM Dana Brown previously said the Astros were targeting mid-August for Alvarez's return, but he'll likely need at least another week or two beyond that since he's been on the shelf since early May. |
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Hector Neris Hector Neris DFA'd by Astros
Tue, Aug 12, 2025, 5:49 PM
The Astros designated Neris for assignment Tuesday.
Analysis: The veteran right-hander inked a deal with Houston in early July and made 12 appearances during his month-plus with the club, allowing seven earned runs in 11.2 innings. Neris has also pitched for the Angels and Atlanta this season, and he has a combined 6.75 ERA across 26.2 frames between the three clubs. |
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Colton Gordon Colton Gordon Back in big leagues
Tue, Aug 12, 2025, 5:36 PM
The Astros recalled Gordon from Triple-A Sugar Land on Tuesday.
Analysis: The left-hander was optioned to Sugar Land on Monday, but he'll quickly rejoin the major-league club since Josh Hader (shoulder) is headed to the injured list. Gordon has started in 13 of his 14 big-league appearances this season but is likely to operate as a reliever since the Astros now have Spencer Arrighetti and Cristian Javier back in the fold. |
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Shawn Dubin Shawn Dubin Activated from IL
Tue, Aug 12, 2025, 5:26 PM
The Astros reinstated Dubin (forearm) from the 15-day injured list Tuesday.
Analysis: The right-hander has been sidelined nearly two months due to a forearm strain but is ready to rejoin the active roster after a five-appearance rehab assignment. Dubin had a 1.33 ERA and six holds in 18 appearances this season prior to the injury, and he should at least be in the setup mix for Houston with closer Josh Hader (shoulder) landing on the injured list. |
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Josh Hader Josh Hader Lands on IL with shoulder strain
Tue, Aug 12, 2025, 3:22 PM
The Astros placed Hader on the 15-day injured list Tuesday, retroactive to Aug. 11, due to a left shoulder strain.
Analysis: The All-Star closer was unavailable for the save Monday against the Red Sox due to left shoulder discomfort, and he's now been diagnosed with a strain. Hader will be eligible to be reinstated Aug. 26, though he's without an official timeline for his return since a recovery timetable has yet to be announced. Enyel De Los Santos and Bennett Sousa combined to handle the ninth inning Monday, but setup man Bryan Abreu is the likely favorite to fill in as Houston's closer. |
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Josh Hader Josh Hader Nursing shoulder issue
Mon, Aug 11, 2025, 10:20 PM
Hader wasn't available to pitch in Monday's 7-6 victory over the Red Sox due to left shoulder discomfort, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.
Analysis: It's unclear at this time whether the injury will require a shutdown period for Hader. Manager Joe Espada stated after Monday's game that the closer is headed for further tests to identify the severity of the injury. |
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Jesus Sanchez Jesus Sanchez Idle against southpaw
Mon, Aug 11, 2025, 6:34 PM
Sanchez is out of the lineup for Monday's game against the Red Sox.
Analysis: The left-handed-hitting Sanchez started and went 0-for-3 with two strikeouts in Sunday's 7-1 win while southpaw Max Fried toed the rubber for the Yankees, but Sanchez will take a seat Monday against Red Sox lefty Garrett Crochet. With Sanchez on the bench for the series opener, Mauricio Dubon will pick up a start in left field. |
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Chas McCormick Chas McCormick Handling short-side platoon role
Mon, Aug 11, 2025, 6:32 PM
McCormick will start in center field and bat eighth in Monday's game against the Red Sox.
Analysis: McCormick will pick up his third consecutive start and his second straight start against a left-handed pitcher (Garrett Crochet) after going 2-for-6 with two doubles and one walk in the final two contests of the Astros' weekend series versus the Yankees. The Astros appear to be treating the right-handed-hitting McCormick as a short-side platoon player, as the left-handed-hitting Taylor Trammell has typically seen most of the starts in center field against righties of late. |
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Jacob Melton Jacob Melton Called up by Houston
Mon, Aug 11, 2025, 4:59 PM
The Astros recalled Melton from Triple-A Sugar Land on Monday.
Analysis: Houston optioned left-hander Colton Gordon to Triple-A to clear room on the 26-man active roster for Melton. The 24-year-old outfielder received his first big-league call-up June 1 and went 7-for-37 (.206 average) with no home runs and three steals over 13 games while also missing extended time due to a sprained ankle before he was demoted to Triple-A on Aug. 1. Though he's back with the big club, Melton likely won't be in line for regular playing time while Jesus Sanchez, Taylor Trammell and Cam Smith typically form Houston's starting outfield trio. |
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Cooper Hummel Cooper Hummel Dropped from 40-man roster
Mon, Aug 11, 2025, 3:35 PM
The Astros designated Hummel for assignment Monday, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.
Analysis: With Houston needing to clear a spot on the 40-man roster for Cristian Javier (elbow) to return from the 60-day injured list ahead of his scheduled start Monday versus Boston, Hummel ended up being the casualty. The 30-year-old had been seeing steady playing time in the corner outfield coming out of the All-Star break, but his opportunities dried up once the Astros added Jesus Sanchez, Carlos Correa and Ramon Urias ahead of the trade deadline. Over 104 plate appearances on the season with Houston, Hummel slashed .172/.301/.276 with three home runs, one stolen base, seven RBI and 10 runs. |
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Yordan Alvarez Yordan Alvarez Advances to facing live pitching
Mon, Aug 11, 2025, 3:26 PM
Alvarez (hand) took live batting practice on the field Saturday at the Astros' spring training complex in Florida, Julia Morales of AT&T SportsNet Southwest reports.
Analysis: After he had previously been limited to hitting in the batting cages while he works his way back from a right hand fracture, Alvarez took a small step forward in the recovery process by facing off against live pitching. The Astros will likely want to see Alvarez complete several live BP sessions before clearing him to participate in simulated games or minor-league games, where he'll need to stockpile at-bats to regain his timing at the plate following a lengthy layoff from action. Houston has yet to provide a firm timeline for a return for Alvarez, who has been on the injured list since May 5. |
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Colton Gordon Colton Gordon Sent back to Triple-A
Mon, Aug 11, 2025, 3:20 PM
The Astros optioned Gordon to Triple-A Sugar Land on Monday.
Analysis: The writing had been on the wall for Gordon's demotion, as the Astros skipped his turn in the rotation this past Sunday against the Yankees and instead had Jason Alexander start that game, even though the rookie left-hander hadn't pitched since Aug. 2. With Cristian Javier (elbow) returning from the 60-day injured list to start Monday's game against the Red Sox, the Astros now have a full five-man rotation, so Gordon will head back to Sugar Land to remain on a starter's schedule. Gordon had struggled mightily in his three starts since the All-Star break, going 1-2 with a 7.36 ERA and 1.57 WHIP across 14.2 innings. |
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Cristian Javier Cristian Javier Activated for 2025 debut
Mon, Aug 11, 2025, 3:16 PM
The Astros reinstated Javier (elbow) from the 60-day injured list ahead of his scheduled start Monday versus the Red Sox in Houston.
Analysis: Houston optioned lefty Colton Gordon to clear room in the rotation as well as to open up a spot on the active roster for Javier, who is slated to make his first appearance for the big club since May 21, 2024. The right-hander is back to full health after completing his recovery from Tommy John surgery, but he endured a rocky five-start minor-league rehab assignment in which he posted a 5.14 ERA, 1.79 WHIP and 15:15 K:BB in 14 innings. In his final rehab start for Triple-A Sugar Land last Tuesday, Javier covered 3.2 frames and tossed 77 pitches, so expect the Astros to monitor the 28-year-old's workload carefully as he re-enters the big-league rotation. |
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Jake Meyers Jake Meyers Resumes all baseball activity
Sun, Aug 10, 2025, 10:43 PM
Meyers (calf) has resumed sprinting, hitting and fielding, MLB.com reports.
Analysis: Meyers landed on the injured list July 11 but is ramping up his activity. The team plans for him to increase the volume and intensity of his work before advancing him to live at-bats. Meyers is still projected to return in August, but his activation looks likely to come later in the month. |
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