Houston Astros News

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Jose Altuve • 2B • Astros

Jose Altuve May Not Need a Rehab Assignment

Jose Altuve (oblique) is trending toward avoiding a rehab assignment altogether. Manager Joe Espada has stated that the 36-year-old is healing at an incredible pace and that his on-field preparation may come through simulated at-bats rather than a minor-league rehab assignment. With his recovery progressing in that direction, a return could come sooner than originally anticipated. There is still no official timetable for his return, but Altuve was swinging at nearly 80 percent effort earlier in the week and continues to field ground balls and run the bases as part of his recovery process. The biggest test will be when he faces live pitching over the next couple of days. Assuming that goes well with no setbacks, fantasy managers should be ready for an activation at some point during the first half of May.

2 days ago

Enyel De Los Santos • RP • Astros

Enyel De Los Santos Sharp in Five-Out Save, Back on the Closer Radar?

Houston Astros relief pitcher Enyel De Los Santos closed out his team's one-run win over the Rangers on Wednesday in dominant fashion. De Los Santos came into the game with one out in the eighth inning and retired all five batters he faced, including strikeouts to end both the eighth and ninth innings. De Los Santos has 21 strikeouts in his 22 2/3 innings with a 3.57 ERA, 2.32 FIP, and 1.01 WHIP to go with his four saves on the year. It was his first save since April 22, but he could get more chances in the next few games before Josh Hader (biceps) joins the bullpen. Hader is nearing the end of his rehab and could be back as early as next week, but if you need short-term bullpen help, De Los Santos was impressive enough to be a short-term pickup until Hader returns.

4 days ago

Yordan Alvarez • DH • Astros

Yordan Alvarez Continues Homer Barrage With Two More Long Balls on Wednesday

Houston Astros outfielder Yordan Alvarez is having a year. The 28-year-old left-handed Cuban slugger went 3-for-4 at the plate on Wednesday night in the team's 4-3 victory over the hosting Texas Rangers with two home runs, a walk, and a strikeout to raise his season batting average to .312 and his OPS to 1.085. It was the second straight night that Alvarez hit two home runs, and he has now hit five home runs in the last three games. He now has 20 homers on the season in 56 games. Alvarez has slashed a modest .250/.366/.560 in May, but it has come with eight round-trippers, which is the second-most of any player in the month. It's safe to say that the back injury that kept Alvarez out of Sunday's game is quickly a thing of the past. The three-time All-Star only played in 48 games in 2025 due to injuries, but he has bounced back rather nicely so far in 2026 as one of the best all-around hitters in the game. Alvarez obviously is a must-start in all fantasy lineups anytime he's active.

4 days ago

Jose Altuve • 2B • Astros

Jose Altuve Healing at "Incredible Pace," May Avoid Rehab Assignment

Houston Astros manager Joe Espada intimated that the team is exploring the possibility of simulating some at-bats in West Palm Beach, Florida, in lieu of a minor-league rehab assignment for second baseman Jose Altuve (oblique), who is healing at an "incredible" pace, according to Chandler Rome of The Athletic. Altuve ran the bases, took ground balls, and is swinging at 75-80% effort as he continues to recover from a Grade 2 left-oblique strain. It's still unclear when the 36-year-old veteran might be ready to come off the 10-day injured list, but it's obviously good news, and Altuve could rejoin the Astros' lineup by mid-June. Until Altuve returns to the big-league roster, Brice Matthews and Braden Shewmake figure to continue splitting time at the keystone in Houston. Altuve, a former MVP and nine-time All-Star, is starting to show signs of decline in 2025 in his 16th year in the league, as he was hitting just .245/.326/.380 with a .706 OPS, four home runs, 12 RBI, 27 runs scored, and a single stolen base in 42 games across 185 plate appearances before his oblique strain.

4 days ago

Josh Hader • RP • Astros

Josh Hader Set to Return to the Astros Following Final Rehab Outing on Thursday

Houston Astros closer Josh Hader (biceps) is set to make his final rehab appearances with Triple-A Sugar Land on Wednesday and Thursday before returning to the big leagues, per Chandler Rome of The Athletic. Hader is currently on the 60-day injured list and has yet to pitch for Houston in 2026 as he works his way back from left biceps tendinitis. However, Hader has dominated in the minor leagues during his rehab outing, entering Wednesday with a 1.29 ERA and 11 strikeouts across seven innings pitched. The veteran left-hander was one of the best closers in baseball in 2025, recording 28 saves in 29 chances and striking out 36.9% of the batters he faced. Upon his return, Hader profiles as a must-start fantasy closer across all league formats.

4 days ago

Spencer Arrighetti • SP • Astros

Spencer Arrighetti a Must-Add Starter in Fantasy Baseball

Houston Astros starting pitcher Spencer Arrighetti is off to a terrific start this season, posting a 1.32 ERA and 2.3% HR/FB rate across seven appearances. So far, he's 6-1 with 8.78 K/9, 5.49 BB/9, and 0.22 HR/9. The walk rate is less ideal, and we don't love that his FIP is more than two full points higher than his ERA, but the results speak for themselves. Arrighetti has been a valuable starter in fantasy baseball this season, and he hasn't allowed an earned run in his last two starts (12.1 innings). As long as he keeps it up, he'll remain a priority target on the waiver wire for the rest of the season. Currently, Arrighetti ranks as the #86 starter in RotoBaller's latest fantasy baseball rankings, and he's still available in approximately to be added in 42% of leagues.

5 days ago

Yordan Alvarez • DH • Astros

Yordan Alvarez Hits Two More Homers in Loss to Rangers

Houston Astros outfielder/designated hitter Yordan Alvarez was at it again in the team's 10-7 loss to the Texas Rangers at Globe Life Field on Tuesday night, going 2-for-5 at the plate with two home runs, four RBI, and two strikeouts. Alvarez is now hitting .303 on the season with a 1.045 OPS as one of the best hitters in the game. The 28-year-old left-handed slugger mashed a three-run blast in the third inning and a solo shot in the eighth, but the Astros' comeback attempt fell short. Fantasy managers were a bit worried when Alvarez missed Sunday's contest with a back injury, but he only missed one game and has hit three homers in two games since returning to the lineup. It's been nice to see Alvarez bounce back in 2026 after an injury-plagued 2025 campaign. In addition to his .303 average and 1.045 OPS, he has a .414 on-base percentage, .631 slugging percentage, 18 home runs, 37 RBI, 34 runs scored, and a stolen base across 55 games. Alvarez also ranks in the 93rd percentile in hard-hit rate, the 100th percentile in xwOBA, and the 100th percentile in expected slugging, so the underlying metrics absolutely support his strong season at the plate.

5 days ago

Josh Hader • RP • Astros

Josh Hader a Must-Stash Closer Ahead of Impending Injury Return

Houston Astros closer Josh Hader (biceps) has yet to pitch in the big leagues in 2026 as he recovers from left biceps tendinitis. However, the 32-year-old has already made seven minor league rehab appearances and is reportedly targeting a return to the Houston bullpen in the first week of June. Hader was one of the game's elite relievers in 2025, pitching to a 2.05 ERA and 0.85 WHIP with 76 strikeouts and 28 saves across 52 2/3 innings (48 games). He's looked like his vintage self in his rehab outings as well, racking up 11 strikeouts while allowing just six baserunners across seven innings of work. Hader profiles as a high-end fantasy closer once healthy and should be stashed off the waiver wire in all league formats.

6 days ago

Tatsuya Imai • SP • Astros

Tatsuya Imai, Two Relievers Combine to No-Hit the Rangers on Monday

Houston Astros right-hander Tatsuya Imai combined with relievers Steven Okert and rookie Alimber Santa to record baseball's first no-hitter of the 2026 season against the hosting Texas Rangers, and the first no-no since 2024, according to Brian McTaggart of MLB.com. Imai had the best performance of his MLB career, tossing six no-hit innings while walking four and striking out two to lower his still-bloated season ERA to 6.17. The no-hitter was the first in the big leagues since Chicago Cubs left-hander Shota Imanaga, Nate Pearson, and Porter Hodge combined to no-hit the Pittsburgh Pirates on Sept. 4 of 2024. It was the Astros' 18th no-hitter in franchise history, and their fifth combined no-hitter -- the first since Cristian Javier, Bryan Abreu, Rafael Montero, and Ryan Pressly did it in Game 4 of the 2022 World Series against the Philadelphia Phillies. Despite throwing six no-hit innings on Monday, Imai still walked four batters. Fantasy managers will probably want to see more before scooping him up off the waiver wire.

6 days ago

Hunter Brown • SP • Astros

Hunter Brown Scheduled for Second Rehab Start This Weekend

Houston Astros starting pitcher Hunter Brown (shoulder) is scheduled to make a rehab start this upcoming weekend with Triple-A Sugar Land, per Brian McTaggart of MLB.com. Brown is currently on the 60-day injured list as he works his way back from a Grade 2 right shoulder strain. However, he is eligible for activation on June 1 and showed well in his first rehab appearance with Double-A Corpus Christi on Sunday, striking out five over two scoreless innings of work. The 27-year-old was one of the best pitchers in baseball in 2025, recording a 12-9 record with a 2.43 ERA, 1.03 WHIP, and 206 strikeouts across 185 1/3 innings (31 starts). If all continues to go well for Brown in his rehab, he could be on track to return to the Houston rotation in early June. Once healthy, Brown profiles as a must-start pitcher for fantasy managers.

6 days ago

Yordan Alvarez • DH • Astros

Yordan Alvarez Returns From Back Injury on Monday

Houston Astros outfielder/designated hitter Yordan Alvarez (back) is serving as the DH and is batting third in Monday's series opener against the hosting Texas Rangers and right-hander Kumar Rocker, according to MLB.com. Alvarez ended up missing just one game on Sunday against the Chicago Cubs due to back discomfort. Now that the 28-year-old Cuban left-handed slugger is back in the mix, he needs to be returned to all starting lineups in traditional fantasy leagues. Alvarez, a three-time All-Star and former American League Rookie of the Year, remains one of baseball's best all-around hitters, slashing .300/.415/.595 this year while leading the league in OPS (1.010) and total bases (113) in 53 games played. He has added 15 home runs, 31 RBI, 31 runs scored, and a stolen base across 229 plate appearances. Alvarez is in the 100th percentile in xwOBA, the 100th percentile in expected slugging percentage, and the 92nd percentile in hard-hit rate. The dude is an absolute stud. He has never faced Rocker in his career.

7 days ago

Hunter Brown • SP • Astros

Hunter Brown Goes Two Innings in Sunday's Rehab Start

Houston Astros right-hander Hunter Brown (shoulder) made his first minor-league rehab start on Sunday with Double-A Corpus Christi and threw two scoreless innings with one hit allowed, no walks, and five strikeouts. It was a positive first start for Brown on the farm as he threw 21 of his 35 pitches for strikes and induced seven swings and misses on the day. The 27-year-old is currently on the 60-day injured list due to a right-shoulder injury, but he's eligible to come off the IL on June 1 and is trending toward making his return to Houston's starting rotation in the middle of June. The Astros want to see Brown get up to around 75 pitches in a rehab start before considering him as a member of the big-league rotation again. Brown is only available in 6% of Yahoo leagues after his breakout 2025 campaign, in which he went 12-9 with a 2.43 ERA (3.14 FIP) and 1.02 WHIP with a career-high 206 strikeouts and 57 walks in 185 1/3 innings across his 31 starts. Brown is the real deal and is a fantasy ace when he's healthy.

7 days ago

Yainer Diaz • C • Astros

Yainer Diaz to Start Rehab Assignment in First Week of June

Houston Astros general manager Dana Brown said on SportsTalk790 on Sunday that catcher Yainer Diaz (oblique) will start his minor-league rehab assignment in the first week of June, according to Brian McTaggart of MLB.com. The Astros placed Diaz on the 10-day injured list back on May 5 with a strained left oblique, but he is close to starting a rehab assignment after recently starting a running and hitting progression. If everything goes well once the 27-year-old backstop resumes playing in games, it's possible he could be back before the middle of June as Houston's primary catcher. Until that happens, veteran Christian Vazquez will continue to see most of the action behind the plate for the Astros. Diaz offers above-average power for a catcher when he's healthy, as he has reached the 20-homer mark in two of his three full seasons in the big leagues with Houston. Through 26 games in 2026 before landing on the shelf with his oblique injury, Diaz was hitting .238/.255/.347 with two home runs, 14 RBI, and seven runs scored in 106 plate appearances.

7 days ago

Josh Hader • RP • Astros

Josh Hader Targeting Early June Return, Astros Await Bullpen Boost

Houston Astros left-hander Josh Hader (biceps) is expected to return during the first week of June, according to general manager Dana Brown, as the veteran reliever continues recovering from left biceps tendinitis. Hader was transferred to the 60-day injured list on April 17 and has already made six rehab appearances in the minor leagues. The 31-year-old has yet to pitch for Houston this season, but he remains one of baseball's premier late-inning arms. Hader converted 28 of 29 save opportunities in 2025 while posting a 2.05 ERA and 76 strikeouts across 52 innings. Assuming his rehab continues without setbacks, Hader should reclaim the closer role quickly and provide a major lift for Houston's bullpen.

7 days ago

Jose Altuve • 2B • Astros

Jose Altuve Expected to Resume Swinging Soon, Astros Await Offensive Boost

Houston Astros second baseman Jose Altuve (oblique) is expected to resume swinging a bat within the next few days as he continues recovering from a left oblique injury. Altuve exited the May 16 game after experiencing discomfort in his side and has since traveled to Florida to continue his rehab process. Before landing on the injured list, the veteran infielder was slashing .245/.326/.380 with a .706 OPS after cooling off from a strong start to the season. The career .302 hitter remains one of baseball's most reliable contact bats, and his return would provide a major boost for a Houston lineup searching for more offensive consistency.

7 days ago

Christian Walker • 1B • Astros

Christian Walker Hits Two Homers Saturday, Breaking Out of his Funk?

Houston Astros first baseman Christian Walker was the team's offense in their 3-0 shutout victory over the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field on Saturday, going a perfect 3-for-3 at the plate with two home runs, three RBI, and a walk to raise his season average to .266 and his OPS to .861. Walker hit a two-run home run to get things going in the first frame and later hit a solo homer in the fourth inning for all the runs that Houston would need to finish off the Cubbies. The 35-year-old reached base in all four of his plate appearances on the day. Despite the two-homer performance, Walker has hit just .164 (9-for-55) with four home runs, a double, seven RBI, six runs scored, four walks, and 14 strikeouts in his last 15 games, dating back to May 8. On the year, the right-handed power hitter is slashing .266/.340/.521 with an .860 OPS, 13 long balls, 34 RBI, and 30 runs scored in his 192 at-bats. Hopefully, his two-homer outing on Saturday will get him back on track offensively for an Astros team that really needs him more than ever.

May 24

Yordan Alvarez • DH • Astros

Yordan Alvarez Exits Early with Back Spasms

Houston Astros designated hitter Yordan Alvarez (back) was forced to make an early exit from Saturday's game against the Chicago Cubs. Alvarez showed discomfort when swinging the bat in the on-deck circle during the sixth inning. He was ultimately pulled from the contest due to back spasms. He finished Saturday's game going 0-for-2 at the plate with a run scored and a walk. The Astros have already said that Alvarez won't play on Sunday, that it was his scheduled rest day anyway. This appears to be a day-to-day type of issue, so fantasy managers shouldn't be too alarmed. Fantasy managers will need to check back for an update on his status ahead of Monday's series opener against the Texas Rangers.

May 23

Jose Altuve • 2B • Astros

Jose Altuve Feeling Better, Heading to Florida to Continue Rehab

Houston Astros second baseman Jose Altuve (oblique) is feeling better after suffering a Grade 2 left oblique strain one week ago. He was seen walking around the clubhouse on Saturday and said that, while he can do some light workouts, he has yet to resume baseball activities. The 36-year-old will travel to West Palm Beach on Sunday to continue his rehab, where he will hopefully make additional progress soon. The veteran has struggled to start the season, hitting just four home runs and stealing only one base through his first 42 games played. Upon his return, he should immediately slot back into the starting role at second base. In the meantime, both Braden Shewmake and Brice Matthews will continue to split time, with neither showing enough consistency to run away with the job.

May 23

Bryan King • RP • Astros

Bryan King Earns Fifth Save, Remains Closer in Houston?

Houston Astros relief pitcher Bryan King was asked to work out of danger in the eighth inning of Friday's game against the Chicago Cubs. King entered the game with two on and two outs in the eighth inning. He was able to escape without any damage and tossed a perfect ninth inning to earn his fifth save of the season. Enyel De Los Santos and Bryan Abreu have been in the mix for saves as well, but it appears that King is the favorite right now. Josh Hader (biceps) is eligible to return from the Injured List soon. It doesn't sound like any of these relievers are going to have great long-term value. King is the reliever to roster in Houston until Hader reclaims the closer role.

May 22

Hunter Brown • SP • Astros

Hunter Brown to Make a Rehab Start on Sunday at Double-A

Houston Astros manager Joe Espada said that right-hander Hunter Brown (shoulder) will make a minor-league rehab start on Sunday at Double-A Corpus Christi, according to Brian McTaggart of MLB.com. It will be Brown's first game action since last pitching on March 31 against the Boston Red Sox. He's currently on the 60-day injured list with a right-shoulder strain and won't be eligible to return to the big-league starting rotation until the end of May. Most likely, we won't see Brown back with the Astros until early June, but it could depend on how he fares during his rehab assignment. The 27-year-old former fifth-round pick in 2019 out of Wayne State broke out and was an All-Star for the first time in his career in 2025, going 12-9 with a 2.43 ERA (3.14 FIP), 1.02 WHIP, and 206:57 K:BB in 185 1/3 innings over 31 starts. Brown has quickly developed into a front-line starter and shouldn't be floating around on the waiver wire in any fantasy leagues. In his first two starts this year before injuring his shoulder, he had allowed only one earned run with 17 K's and six walks in 10 2/3 frames.

May 22

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