Houston Astros News

The Houston Astros said that veteran infielder Carlos Correa (ankle) underwent surgery on the peroneus brevis tendon in his left ankle on Monday, and he will miss the rest of the season, according to Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle. Correa suffered the freak ankle injury while taking batting practice last Tuesday before a game against the Los Angeles Dodgers, and he's expected to need around six to eight months to recover. Although shortstop Jeremy Pena (hamstring) is on track to return from the injured list later this week, Correa's injury is one that the struggling Astros may never recover from in 2026. The 31-year-old veteran has a history of foot injuries, but this ankle injury is not related to the plantar fasciitis that he's dealt with in recent seasons. Before his season-ending injury, Correa was hitting .279 (34-for-122) with three home runs, 16 RBI, 22 runs scored, and a stolen base in 32 games played. Fantasy managers in single-year formats should have already dumped Correa to the waiver wire.

Houston Astros shortstop Jeremy Pena (hamstring) did full baseball drills on Monday and is expected to start a minor-league rehab assignment on Tuesday, likely at Double-A Corpus Christi, according to Brian McTaggart of MLB.com. Pena will be back in action in the minors this week as he recovers from a hamstring injury that has sidelined him for more than a month, but barring a setback, the 28-year-old could be back in the big-league starting lineup by the end of the week. It's great news for a struggling Houston squad that already lost veteran infielder Carlos Correa (ankle) for the rest of the 2026 season. With Correa and Pena out of late, the Astros have been running a platoon at the 6 with Braden Shewmake and Nick Allen. When he's reinstated, Pena will be the Astros' everyday starter at shortstop, and he'll have value in most fantasy leagues after being named a first-time All-Star in 2025, when he hit .304/.363/.477 with an .840 OPS, 17 homers, 62 RBI, 20 steals, and 68 runs in 125 games played. Pena went 11-for-43 (.256) with five runs and a stolen base in 10 games earlier this year before landing on the IL. He's rostered in 80% of Yahoo leagues right now.

Houston Astros outfielder Cam Smith has cooled off after a strong start to the season, slashing .151/.237/.226 across his last 15 games. Smith now owns a .642 OPS with four home runs through 40 games in 2026. The 23-year-old has flashed the offensive tools needed to succeed at the major league level, but consistency has remained an issue during his second MLB season. Smith could also face increased competition for playing time, with Joey Loperfido, Jake Meyers, and Taylor Trammell all targeting returns later this month. The former first-round pick still carries intriguing upside, but he will need to rediscover his early-season rhythm moving forward.

Houston Astros starting pitcher Tatsuya Imai (arm) will make his return to his team's starting rotation on Tuesday against the Seattle Mariners, according to Chandler Rome of The Athletic. Imai has been on the 15-day injured list since early April due to right arm fatigue. The 28-year-old got off to a brutal start to his first MLB season before hitting the injured list, allowing seven earned runs and 11 walks across 8 2/3 innings (three starts). Imai wasn't much better in two minor league rehab appearances, allowing six earned runs and eight walks across five innings. Still, Houston signed Imai to a three-year, $54 million contract this past winter and will likely give him every opportunity to prove himself. Fantasy managers should proceed with major caution until Imai shows he can lock in his command.

Houston Astros shortstop Jeremy Pena (hamstring) will "hopefully" run the bases in Cincinnati on Saturday or Sunday, manager Joe Espada told the Houston Chronicle's Matt Kawahara. It will be Pena's final hurdle before being cleared to start a minor-league rehab assignment. It's been almost four weeks since Pena landed on the 10-day injured list with a hamstring strain, but he's nearing his return to Houston's starting lineup. That's great news for a struggling Astros team that recently lost veteran infielder Carlos Correa (ankle) for the rest of the 2026 season. Pena recovered from a fractured finger just in time for Opening Day in late March, and he played in just 10 games before injuring his hamstring. The 28-year-old Dominican infielder nearly had his first 20-20 season as a first-time All-Star in 2025 and hit above .300 in 125 games played, which is why he's rostered in 80% of Yahoo leagues despite being on the IL. If he can avoid a setback on his rehab assignment, Pena could be back with the Astros by the end of next weekend.

Houston Astros right-hander Hunter Brown (shoulder) threw an encouraging first bullpen session on Friday in his recovery from a right-shoulder strain, manager Joe Espada told Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle. "Hunter is very anxious to get back on the mound. He is constantly texting, calling, 'What's next? What's next?' So he's doing well," Espada said. The 27-year-old is working his way back from a Grade 2 shoulder strain that landed him on the 15-day injured list in early April. Expect Brown to throw off a mound another couple of times before the Astros look to send him on a minor-league rehab start. Barring a setback, we think Brown should return to Houston's starting rotation by the end of May. In the meantime, the former fifth-rounder out of Wayne State in 2019 should be held in all fantasy formats. After being named an All-Star in 2025 for the first time in his career, Brown allowed just one earned run with six walks and 17 strikeouts in 10 2/3 innings across his first two starts in 2026.

Houston Astros right-hander Lance McCullers Jr. (finger) was pulled from his start early on Wednesday against the visiting Los Angeles Dodgers in the third inning, and The Athletic's Chandler Rome reported that McCullers was looking down at his finger before manager Joe Espada and a trainer came out to check on him. McCullers has dealt with blister issues in the past, as well as several arm injuries that derailed his career for quite some time. It was a rough outing for the 32-year-old veteran before being pulled, as he allowed six earned runs on four hits (one homer) while walking three and striking out four in just 2 2/3 innings against the first-place Dodgers to pick up his third loss of the year. The poor outing raised McCullers' ERA to 7.41 in seven starts this year. The former first-rounder in 2012 will be droppable in most leagues if he finds his way to the injured list. McCullers is only rostered in 10% of Yahoo leagues right now.

Houston Astros right-hander Tatsuya Imai's (arm) next start will be in the big leagues, manager Joe Espada told Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle. It's unclear when Imai's next start for the Astros will come after he's reinstated from the 15-day injured list, but it could come early next week versus the division-rival Seattle Mariners. Imai looked better in his second minor-league rehab start for Triple-A Sugar Land on Tuesday, allowing one run on one hit while walking three and striking out five in three innings of work. The 27-year-old Japanese native only made three starts for the Astros to begin his big-league career before hitting the shelf with right-arm fatigue, and he wasn't effective in those three starts, posting a 7.27 ERA, 2.08 WHIP, 11 walks, and 13 strikeouts in only 8 2/3 innings pitched. He only got up to 63 pitches in his rehab outing on Tuesday, too, so he won't be fully stretched out when he returns to Houston's rotation next week. Fantasy managers looking for a streamer should be avoiding Imai, and his control must improve for managers in mixed leagues to consider him off the waiver wire. Imai is rostered in under 50% of Yahoo leagues right now.

Houston Astros infielder Carlos Correa (ankle) will have surgery on his left ankle and will miss the rest of the 2026 season, a team source told Brian McTaggart of MLB.com. It's a devastating injury blow for the struggling Astros, who are already without shortstop Jeremy Pena (hamstring). The 31-year-old Puerto Rican veteran injured his ankle during pre-game batting practice before Tuesday's contest against the visiting Los Angeles Dodgers and was scratched from the lineup. In his return to Houston, Correa opened the year as the starting third baseman before shifting back to shortstop when Pena landed on the injured list. The three-time All-Star and clubhouse leader will finish his 12th year in the big leagues with a .279/.369/.418 slash line, .787 OPS, three home runs, 16 RBI, 22 runs scored, and one stolen base in only 32 games played and 141 plate appearances. Until Pena can return, Nick Allen, who was activated from the IL to start on Tuesday, is likely to take over the short-term duties at the 6. Isaac Paredes, who was a trade candidate in the offseason, now has a regular path to playing time at the hot corner for the rest of the year. Correa can obviously be dropped in all redraft fantasy leagues. UPDATE: Correa said he will require surgery for a "complete tear" of a tendon in his left ankle, and he'll likely be facing a six- to eight-month recovery.

Houston Astros infielder Carlos Correa (ankle) suffered a significant injury to his left ankle during pre-game batting practice on Tuesday and could be out for weeks or months while he recovers, a source told Brian McTaggart of MLB.com. Correa is scheduled to meet with a foot specialist on Wednesday morning, but the expectation is that he will be sidelined indefinitely. The veteran infielder, who has been playing shortstop of late with Jeremy Pena (hamstring) on the injured list, went 0-for-4 on Monday against the Los Angeles Dodgers and is hitting .279/.369/.418 with three home runs and 16 RBI on the season for the Astros. With Pena still out, Correa's injury is a big blow for a struggling Houston team. He'll be the fourth member of the team's Opening Day lineup to land on the IL, joining Pena, catcher Yainer Diaz (oblique), outfielder Joey Loperfido (quadriceps), and outfielder Jake Meyers (oblique). Until Pena is able to return to shortstop, Nick Allen, who got the start at the 6 in Tuesday's win, will likely take over at shortstop for the Astros.

Houston Astros left-hander Bryan King appears to be solidifying his role as the top ninth-inning option with Josh Hader on the 60-day IL. Bryan King picked up his third save of the season on Tuesday, tossing two innings of one-run ball to secure the win. This performance marks two saves in his last two appearances for the 29-year-old, who is now tied for the team lead in saves. His season metrics include a 3.45 ERA and a 1.34 WHIP. Now in his third season in the majors, his career 2.78 ERA positions him well for high-leverage situations. Expect the Astros to lean on him as their go-to arm for save opportunities moving forward.

Houston Astros manager Joe Espada said that catcher Yainer Diaz (oblique) will require a stint on the 10-day injured list with a left-oblique injury, according to Brian McTaggart of MLB.com. Diaz was scratched from Monday's series opener against the visiting Los Angeles Dodgers with what the team was calling an abdominal injury at the time. Oblique injuries are typically tricky to recover from, so fantasy managers shouldn't expect Diaz to be ready to come off the IL when he's eligible. Christian Vazquez made the start behind the plate on Monday in place of the injured Diaz, and he should serve as Houston's primary backstop while Diaz recovers. Cesar Salazar is the other catcher on the major-league roster. Diaz, 27, has the talent to move up into the upper tiers of the catching position in fantasy if he continues to improve offensively. He had a drop-off with his batting average in 2025, but he still managed to hit 20 homers and drive in 70 in 143 games. In 26 games so far in 2026, he's slashing .248/.264/.356 with two homers and 14 RBI across 106 plate appearances.

Houston Astros catcher Yainer Diaz (abdomen) was scratched from the lineup for Monday's series opener against the visiting Los Angeles Dodgers with a left-abdominal injury, according to Brian McTaggart of MLB.com. Christian Vazquez entered the lineup in place of Diaz to catch left-hander Steven Okert, and he was put in the nine-hole in the batting order. Diaz's status is now worth watching going into Game 2 of the series in Houston against the Dodgers on Tuesday. For now, fantasy managers should consider him day-to-day. The 27-year-old Dominican backstop is the Astros' primary catcher, and he entered Monday's action hitting .248 (25-for-101) with two home runs, five doubles, 14 RBI, and seven runs scored across his first 26 games of 2026. He's gone hitless in his last two games, but since April 19, Diaz has gone 14-for-42 (.333) with a homer, four doubles, five RBI, and three runs scored in a span of 11 games played. Vazquez would become Houston's go-to catcher if Diaz's abdominal injury is serious enough to land him on the injured list. Diaz is rostered in 56% of Yahoo leagues.

Houston Astros shortstop Jeremy Pena (hamstring) could start a minor-league rehab assignment this weekend, according to The Athletic's Chandler Rome. Pena appears close to rejoining the Astros after being shut down in the middle of April with a Grade 1 right-hamstring strain. It's been an injury-plagued 2026 season for Pena so far, as he recovered from a fractured finger just in time for Opening Day in late March. The 28-year-old Dominican shortstop will return to starting duties at the 6 for Houston when he's activated, making him worth stashing everywhere. He's currently rostered in 81% of Yahoo fantasy baseball leagues. In 43 at-bats before tweaking his hamstring, Pena had 11 hits (no homers), no RBI, five runs scored, and an RBI. When he returns, veteran Carlos Correa is expected to shift back to the hot corner, which will make regular playing time harder to come by for Isaac Paredes. Pena was a first-time All-Star in 2025, slashing .304/.363/.477 with an .840 OPS, 17 homers, 62 RBI, 20 stolen bases, and 68 runs scored in 125 games.

Houston Astros right-hander Hunter Brown (shoulder) could throw a bullpen session this weekend, according to Chandler Rome of The Athletic. Brown is currently on the 15-day injured list due to a Grade 2 right-shoulder strain, but he's making progress in his recovery after he resumed throwing on flat ground over a week ago. Once he progresses to throwing bullpens, Brown will then look to face live hitters before likely going on a minor-league rehab assignment. He still has plenty of boxes to check, and barring a setback, he's expected to return to Houston's starting rotation by early to mid-June. In the meantime, Brown should continue to be stashed in an IL spot in all fantasy baseball leagues as a true No. 1 starter when he's healthy. The 27-year-old former fifth-rounder in 2019 out of Wayne State was a first-time All-Star in 2025, going 12-9 with a 2.43 ERA, 1.02 WHIP, and 206:57 K:BB in 185 1/3 innings across 31 starts. He picked up where he left off this year in two starts before his shoulder strain, allowing only an earned run on five hits with six walks and 17 K's in 10 2/3 frames.

Houston Astros first baseman Christian Walker (head) exited during the ninth inning of Saturday's win over the Boston Red Sox after being hit by a pitch in the head. A 93 mph fastball from Tyler Samaniego snuck right under the brim of Walker's helmet, and he was forced to leave the game. He had been having a terrific day up to that point, going 3-for-4 with a solo home run, two runs, and two RBI (plus the hit by pitch). After a subpar 2025 season, the veteran first baseman is off to a great start in 2026. He owns a .309/.386/.577 slash line with nine home runs, eight doubles, a 10% walk rate, and a 17% strikeout rate. Given how well he has been playing, fantasy managers will hope that his injury absence doesn't last too long. It's worth noting that Walker did speak to the media postgame, and he said that he passed the team's concussion tests. He's optimistic that he can play in the series finale on Sunday. The 35-year-old currently ranks #21 among first basemen in RotoBaller's latest fantasy baseball rankings.

Across 11 1/3 innings so far in 2026, Houston Astros reliever Enyel De Los Santos has pitched to a 5.56 ERA and 1.50 WHIP with 10 strikeouts and three saves. With Astros closer Josh Hader (biceps) on the 60-day injured list due to a biceps injury, De Los Santos has been pressed into a more prominent role in the Houston bullpen. The 30-year-old's overall line is inflated by a couple of three-earned-run outings, but he's three-for-three on save chances this season. The Astros also lack a great alternative for De Los Santos, and Hader is not eligible to return from the IL until late May at the earliest. Currently posting just an 11.8% K-BB rate, De Los Santos is far from a prototypical closer. Still, he looks like the arm to target in Houston for fantasy managers in desperate need of saves.

Houston Astros second baseman Jose Altuve has struggled at the plate lately and is underperforming in fantasy baseball. Altuve is hitting just 3-for-28 over his last seven games with zero home runs, zero RBI, two walks, and five strikeouts. The 16.7% strikeout rate over that span suggests he's putting the ball in play at a decent clip, but the BABIP is far from ideal. His power has also been diminishing, as he has only hit one home run in the month of April. All in all, through 29 games this year, he has 110 wRC+, which is his lowest mark since the COVID-shortened 2020 season. The Astros as a whole are struggling, so Altuve isn't alone. Still, it's frustrating for fantasy managers who drafted him with the expectation that he'd perform similarly to 2025, when he launched 26 homers, or 2024, when he was an All-Star and received MVP votes. As it stands, he is still holding his ground as the #5 second baseman in RotoBaller's latest fantasy baseball rankings.

Houston Astros right-hander Tatsuya Imai (arm) will make another minor-league rehab start sometime next week, manager Joe Espada told Chandler Rome of The Athletic. Imai, who is on the 15-day injured list due to right-arm fatigue after his first three starts in the big leagues, didn't look great in his first rehab start on Tuesday at Double-A Corpus Christi. The 27-year-old Japanese hurler allowed five runs on six hits while walking three and striking out two in just two innings pitched for the Hooks. He has been out since April 13, and he could need several more appearances on the farm before the Astros consider activating Imai so that he can return to Houston's starting rotation. It's an understatement to say that Imai has struggled in his first taste of the majors in the United States. There have been rumors that he has had a difficult time transitioning to life in the U.S. First and foremost, Imai must improve his control on the mound, or it's going to be a long first year with Houston. In his first three starts, Imai allowed seven earned runs while walking 11 and striking out 13 in just 8 2/3 innings pitched.

Houston Astros catcher Yainer Diaz has gotten off to a slow start to the 2026 season. Entering play on Thursday, the 27-year-old is hitting .229/.250/.349 with two home runs, 12 RBI, and six runs scored across his first 88 plate appearances of the year. Diaz's underlying metrics don't provide much reason for optimism either, as he currently owns career low barrel (4.2%) and hard-hit (29.6%) rates. Diaz's lack of plate discipline continues to be an issue, as his 3.4% walk rate is right in line with his career mark of 3.6%. Diaz entered 2026 Spring Training dealing with a foot sprain, which could be a reason for his poor production at the plate so far. Either way, veteran Astros catcher Christian Vazquez is off to a red-hot start to the year with a .913 OPS. If Vazquez continues to play well and Diaz continues to struggle, Diaz could find himself losing playing time in Houston.