Houston Astros News

The Houston Astros exercised infielder Isaac Paredes' $13.35 million club option for the 2027 season on Monday, according to Chandler Rome of The Athletic. Paredes had a strong second season with the Astros in 2026, slashing .262/.360/.447 with an .806 OPS, 25 home runs, 94 RBI, and 69 runs scored in 155 regular-season games across 659 plate appearances in his seventh year in the league. The 27-year-old Mexican native finished second on the team behind American League MVP finalist Yordan Alvarez in bWAR last year. Houston attempted to trade Paredes last offseason to clear their infield logjam, but that situation was cleared up when Carlos Correa suffered a season-ending ankle injury in May. Paredes could once again be on the trade block this winter if it looks like Correa is set to return healthy in 2027. Not only did Paredes have a strong 10.8% walk rate, but he also had a career-low 13.4% strikeout rate while showing his defensive versatility by playing first and second base in addition to the hot corner. His tendency to pull the ball in the air makes him an ideal fit at Daikin Park, so fantasy managers will be hoping he stays put in Houston.

Right-hander Tatsuya Imai will not opt out of his deal with the Houston Astros this offseason, according to Jon Heyman of the New York Post. Imai has $36 million and two years left on his deal with the team and has another opt-out clause in his contract after the 2027 season. The 28-year-old Japanese hurler showed some flashes in his first year in the big leagues in the United States, but ultimately, he was a disappointment for Houston and fantasy managers, going 6-4 with a 4.93 ERA (4.25 FIP) and 1.42 WHIP with 97 strikeouts and 51 walks in 76 2/3 innings across his 23 appearances (15 starts) for the Astros in 2026. Imai's fantasy stock fell drastically towards the end of the season, when he was deployed out of the bullpen in the final two months. Depending on how the team's starting-rotation options are looking in spring training next year, it is possible that the Astros could keep Imai in a relief role, which would make him avoidable in nearly all fantasy formats in 2027. As a reliever in a small sample size of just eight appearances, Imai was much more effective for Houston, allowing only four earned runs on eight hits while walking 11 and striking out 25. Better control would help Imai bounce back in his sophomore season in the big leagues.

Houston Astros outfielder Joey Loperfido (hip) underwent arthroscopic surgery on his right hip to address an impingement and a labral injury, according to Chandler Rome of The Athletic. Loperfido's "availability for spring training will be delayed," according to the team. The 27-year-old former seventh-round pick in 2021 from Duke University only appeared in 40 games for the Astros in his first full season with the team in 2026 and hit just .214 (22-for-103) with a homer, 12 RBI, 13 runs scored, one stolen base, 14 walks, and 32 strikeouts in 121 plate appearances. Since Loperfido will not be ready for the start of spring training in 2027, there is a chance that he will also not be ready for Opening Day, but that remains to be seen. When healthy next year, the left-handed-hitting outfielder will compete for a platoon role against right-handed pitchers in Houston. He has appeared in 162 games in his three major-league seasons with Houston and the Toronto Blue Jays, slashing .240/.300/.378 with a .678 OPS, only nine home runs, 51 RBI, 49 runs scored, and six stolen bases in 487 plate appearances.

Houston Astros shortstop Jeremy Pena could be a candidate to be traded this offseason, per Chandler Rome of The Athletic. Rome writes that Houston's "inability to extend Pena, a free agent after 2027, makes him an ideal trade candidate" this upcoming winter. Pena has missed time due to injuries in each of the past two seasons. However, he remained highly productive when healthy in 2026, hitting .277/.325/.477 with 22 home runs, 56 RBI, 82 runs scored, and 12 stolen bases across 483 plate appearances. Pena was a much better hitter at home in 2026, posting a .902 OPS in Houston compared to a .722 OPS on the road. Still, the 29-year-old's five-category potential makes him an appealing shortstop option for fantasy managers regardless of whether he remains with the Astros or gets traded ahead of 2027.

Houston Astros third baseman Isaac Paredes could be a candidate to get traded this offseason, speculates Chandler Rome of The Athletic. Houston has a $13.3 million team option on Paredes for the 2027 season, which Rome writes is a no-brainer to pick up. However, the Astros have Jeremy Pena locked in at shortstop in 2027 and will also get veteran infielder Carlos Correa (ankle) back from the ankle injury that cost him almost all of 2026. As a result, Paredes could be forced to play out of position or be left without a starting job if he remains with Houston next season. Across 659 plate appearances in 2026, the 27-year-old hit .262/.360/.447 with 25 home runs, 94 RBI, and 69 runs scored. His pull-heavy approach is a perfect fit for Houston's short porch in left field, so Paredes could lose fantasy value if he's playing his home games elsewhere in 2027.

Houston Astros catcher/first base prospect Jason Schiavone could find his way onto the major-league roster early in 2027, multiple sources within the organization told Chandler Rome of The Athletic. Schiavone, an 11th-rounder in 2024, put himself in the conversation by becoming the first minor-league catcher in 45 years to have a 30-30 season. The 23-year-old had a .922 OPS over 540 plate appearances in a season that ended with a nine-game cameo at Triple-A Sugar Land. He saw playing time at first base in 2026, but team officials insist he will be a catcher, and when he arrives, it will prompt questions about Yainer Diaz's future in Houston. Diaz is the everyday catcher and is under club control for two more seasons. Schiavone is considered the Astros' No. 6 prospect, per MLB Pipeline, but he has plenty of areas of his game to refine, including his swing-and-miss tendencies. Schiavone struck out 32% of the time last year, so fantasy managers looking to stash him in keeper leagues will probably need to be patient.

Houston Astros outfielder Daulton Varsho (wrist) underwent arthroscopic surgery on his left wrist on Tuesday, per Brian McTaggart of MLB.com. Varsho hit the 10-day injured list in mid-September due to the wrist issue and wound up missing the remainder of the regular season and Houston's brief playoff run. Across 526 plate appearances split between the Astros and Toronto Blue Jays in 2026, the 30-year-old hit .221/.281/.355 with 12 home runs, 40 RBI, 51 runs scored, and 12 stolen bases. Varsho is now set to hit free agency, so the health of his wrist is crucial for his earning potential this offseason. Varsho is one of the better defensive outfielders in baseball and hit 20 home runs across just 271 plate appearances with Toronto in 2025. However, he's never reached 600 plate appearances in any of his seven seasons in the big leagues. Depending on where he lands in free agency and his health status, Varsho could be a decent bounce-back candidate for fantasy managers to target going into 2027.

Houston Astros right-hander AJ Blubaugh will be the opener in a projected bullpen game in Game 1 of his team's American League Wild Card Series matchup against the Chicago White Sox, per Chandler Rome of The Athletic. Blubaugh was effective in a multi-inning relief role for the Astros this year, recording a 5-3 record with a 3.66 ERA, 1.23 WHIP, and 94 strikeouts across 96 innings (64 games). Because Houston did not clinch the American League West title until the final day of the regular season, ace Hunter Brown will likely get the ball for Game 2 of the Wild Card Series on Wednesday. As a result, the team will be hoping Blubaugh can get them through at least an inning or two to begin the game on Tuesday.

Houston Astros first baseman Christian Walker helped power his team to the American League West title on Sunday, going 2-for-5 with a solo home run and two additional runs scored in his team's 9-0 win over the Athletics. Across 630 plate appearances in 2026, Walker hit .224/.295/.421 with 28 home runs, 86 RBI, and 70 runs scored. The 35-year-old largely struggled in the second half of the season, hitting .201 across 230 plate appearances after the All-Star break. However, Walker is entering the playoffs on a heater, as he hit .276 with four home runs and seven RBI over Houston's final six games of the regular season. If Walker can continue his recent hot hitting, he could be an impact power bat in the Astros Wild Card Series matchup against the Chicago White Sox.

Houston Astros shortstop Jeremy Pena (wrist) is starting at shortstop and batting leadoff for the Astros on Thursday night against the division-rival Athletics and right-hander Mason Barnett, according to MLB.com. Pena was hit by a pitch on his wrist on Tuesday against the A's and was held out as a result on Wednesday, but he is back in action for the series finale in Sacramento as the Astros try to keep pace with the Texas Rangers for the lead in the American League West division. It is great news for Houston as they look to punch their ticket to the postseason in the final week of the 2026 regular season. It would be an understatement to say that Pena has been banged up with injuries this year, but he has done well at the plate when he has been available for the 'Stros, slashing .275/.325/.469 with a .795 OPS, 20 home runs, 51 RBI, 77 runs scored, and 11 stolen bases across his 426 at-bats. Pena has gotten hot lately, too, hitting .367 with three home runs in his last 30 at-bats.

Across 102 innings (19 starts) in 2026, Houston Astros right-hander Hunter Brown has recorded a 6-3 record with a 3.26 ERA, 1.27 WHIP, and 120 strikeouts. The 28-year-old got off to a rough start to the year, missing over two months with a shoulder injury and posting a 4.94 ERA across 27 1/3 innings in July. However, Brown has begun to rediscover his top form in recent outings. Across his last 33 1/3 innings (six starts), Brown is 3-0 with a 2.43 ERA, 1.20 WHIP, and 48 strikeouts. Brown has had issues with command all year long, and his 11.9% walk rate has led to an elevated WHIP. However, he's boosted his strikeout rate all the way up to 28.1% and has struck out 39.1% of the batters he's faced across his first four starts of September. Heading into his final start of the regular season on Saturday against the Athletics, Brown is beginning to look like the fantasy ace he was drafted to be ahead of 2026.

Houston Astros shortstop Jeremy Pena (wrist) is not in the starting lineup for Wednesday's game on the road against the division-rival Seattle Mariners, per MLB.com. Nick Allen is getting the start at shortstop and will hit ninth against Mariners right-hander George Kirby. Pena was pulled late in Tuesday's contest against the Mariners after he was hit by a pitch on his right wrist earlier in the game. It is unclear if X-rays came back negative for the 29-year-old, so for now, fantasy managers should consider him day-to-day. Check back to see if Pena is available to return for Thursday's series opener against the division-rival Athletics in Sacramento. It is bad timing for the Astros for Pena to be dinged up with the Astros battling the Texas Rangers for the American League West division with just five games left to play. Pena has been great for Houston when he has been healthy in 2026, hitting .275/.325/.469 with 20 home runs, 51 RBI, 77 runs scored, and 10 stolen bases in 426 at-bats. Hopefully, he will be ready for the final series of the regular season this weekend in Sacramento.

Houston Astros starting pitcher Cristian Javier (groin) exited his start on Tuesday against the Seattle Mariners with right groin tightness, per Chandler Rome of The Athletic. The right-hander allowed a hit and two walks while striking out two across two scoreless innings before being pulled from the game. While the severity of Javier's injury is not yet clear, it could put his availability for the remainder of the season in jeopardy. Across 63 innings in 2026, Javier has recorded a 2-6 record with a 5.14 ERA, 1.46 WHIP, and 59 strikeouts. The early portion of the 29-year-old's season was wiped out by a shoulder injury, and he struggled upon his immediate return from the injury in early July. However, Javier has been much better of late, pitching to a 1.96 ERA across 18 1/3 innings in September. Fantasy managers should check back for updates on Javier ahead of his next scheduled start on Sunday against the Athletics.

Houston Astros shortstop Jeremy Pena (wrist) was hit on the right wrist with a 96.4 mph sinker in Tuesday's game against the Seattle Mariners and was removed in the eighth inning, according to Chandler Rome of The Athletic. Pena attempted to stay in the contest, but he was eventually replaced by Nick Allen at shortstop after going 1-for-4 at the plate with two runs scored and two strikeouts. The Astros likely sent Pena for X-rays, and we will pass along the results when we have them. Fantasy managers will want to check back later to see if the Astros' starting shortstop will be available for Wednesday's game in Seattle against the Mariners. Losing Pena for the rest of the final week of the 2026 regular season would be a huge blow, with the Astros going into Wednesday's action tied for first in the American League West with the Texas Rangers. The 29-year-old Pena has missed time this year due to various injuries, but he has been solid when healthy, slashing .275/.325/.469 with a .795 OPS, 20 home runs, 51 RBI, 77 runs scored, and 10 stolen bases in 107 games across 461 plate appearances.

Houston Astros infielder Carlos Correa (ankle) will not return to the team this season, manager Joe Espada told Chandler Rome of The Athletic. It is not in the cards for Correa to return for a playoff run with the Astros after he had surgery on his ankle back in May. The 31-year-old former American League Rookie of the Year and three-time All-Star ended up playing in just 32 games (141 plate appearances) in his first full season back with the team in 2026 after he was traded back to the Astros from the Minnesota Twins last year. In his 32 games this season, Correa slashed a solid .279/.369/.418, but with only three home runs, 16 RBI, 22 runs scored, and a stolen base in his 12th year in the league. The veteran infielder is only rostered in 9% of Yahoo leagues, but the news that he will not return again in 2026 will limit the Astros' options on the infield going into the postseason. As long as Correa does not suffer a setback with his ankle in the offseason, he should be a full-go for spring training in 2027 if there is no lockout.

Houston Astros manager Joe Espada said that the team would like veteran infielder Carlos Correa (ankle) to play "a game or two" for Triple-A Sugar Land this week before he is activated from the 60-day injured list, according to Chandler Rome of The Athletic. It is the last week of the Triple-A regular season. Correa is scheduled to rejoin the Astros during their next homestand and visit doctors before determining the next step. The Astros begin a homestand on Tuesday against the Kansas City Royals, and it runs through Sunday, Sept. 20, in the series finale against the Atlanta Braves. When Correa is ready to return, the Astros are considering using him at second base, which would allow Jose Altuve to get off his feet and serve as the designated hitter. In his first full season in Houston since 2021, Correa has hit .279/.369/.418 with a .787 OPS, only three home runs, 16 RBI, 22 runs scored, and a stolen base in 32 games played due to injuries. Fantasy managers still playing for something should not be looking to pick Correa up this week upon his return. He is currently rostered in just 10% of Yahoo leagues.

According to Chandler Rome, Houston Astros manager Joe Espada said the team is hopeful that outfielder Yordan Alvarez (ankle) will be back in the lineup for Sunday's game against the Tampa Bay Rays. Alvarez missed his second straight game on Saturday after sustaining an ankle injury during Thursday's contest. It sounds like a minor issue that isn't going to require Alvarez to land on the Injured List. Fantasy managers will need to check back ahead of the first pitch for another update on Alvarez. Yainer Diaz served as the designated hitter during Saturday's loss to the Tampa Bay Rays. The expectation is that Diaz would remain there if Alvarez is unable to play.

According to Ken Rosenthal, the Houston Astros are considering moving third baseman Carlos Correa (ankle) over to second base. Correa has been sidelined since undergoing left ankle surgery in mid-May. The organization is hopeful that Correa will be able to return for the final week of the regular season. He has been playing third base in Houston, but the Astros would like to shift him over to second base. If Correa plays second base, Jose Altuve can serve as the designated hitter. Most fantasy leagues might end before Correa gets back to the field. If not, Correa could be worth stashing in deep leagues for the final stretch of the season.

Houston Astros outfielder Yordan Alvarez (ankle) is out of the team's starting lineup for Saturday's game on the road against the Tampa Bay Rays, according to MLB.com. Catcher Yandy Diaz will serve as the designated hitter and bat cleanup, with Christian Vazquez doing the catching for right-hander Peter Lambert and hitting ninth against Rays left-hander Ian Seymour. The Astros are labeling Alvarez as day-to-day for now after he was also held out of Friday's series opener in Tampa with a right-ankle injury. Houston cannot afford to be without the MVP front-runner in the American League down the stretch, so they could play it safe with the 29-year-old left-handed slugger and keep him out for the entire series on the turf in Tampa this weekend. Fantasy managers should check back on Sunday to see if he is active. Alvarez, a four-time All-Star and former AL Rookie of the Year, has been arguably the best overall hitter in all of baseball in 2026, leading the league in walks (100), batting average (.310), on-base percentage (.427), slugging percentage (.590), OPS (1.017), and total bases (308) in 145 games played in his eighth year in the majors.

Houston Astros outfielder Yordan Alvarez (ankle) is out of the starting lineup on Friday night against the Tampa Bay Rays due to a right-ankle injury, manager Joe Espada told Chandler Rome of The Athletic. Alvarez hit in the batting cages before the game and will do some work on the field in hopes that he could be available off the bench. If Alvarez feels good after his pre-game workout, he could be available off the bench and then start in the second game of the series on Saturday. For now, fantasy managers should consider the MVP front-runner in the American League to be day-to-day. Second baseman Jose Altuve is serving as the designated hitter on Friday and batting leadoff, with Nick Allen at the keystone and hitting ninth against Rays right-hander Drew Rasmussen. Alvarez's ankle injury could help explain why he has gone just 7-for-33 in nine games so far in September. The 29-year-old Cuban slugger has still had a phenomenal 2026 campaign, hitting .310/.427/.590 with a 1.017 OPS, 38 homers, 96 RBI, 95 runs scored, and a stolen base in 522 at-bats.