Houston Astros News

Steven Okert  • RP  •  Astros

Astros Add Steven Okert On Minor-League Deal

The Houston Astros have signed free-agent left-hander Steven Okert to a minor-league deal. Okert wasn't very good in 2024 with the Minnesota Twins, but he'll get another opportunity in spring training in 2025 with the Astros. In his 44 appearances (one start) over 35 1/3 innings with the Twins this past season, Okert posted a bloated 5.09 ERA (5.12 FIP), a career-worst 1.50 WHIP, 33 strikeouts and 16 walks while going 3-2. The 33-year-old southpaw will most likely open the campaign at Triple-A Sugar Land but should eventually see some time in the big leagues in Houston. He was originally drafted in the fourth round in 2012 out of Oklahoma by the San Francisco Giants. Okert has a career 4.34 ERA and 1.22 WHIP with only one save, which came last year with the Twins. He's not at all on the fantasy radar heading into 2025.
4 days ago   
Ryan Pressly  • RP  •  Astros

Astros Having Discussions About Trading Ryan Pressly

The Houston Astros have had internal discussions related to potentially trading reliever Ryan Pressly. The 35-year-old was moved to a setup role in 2024 once the Astros acquired closer Josh Hader. Pressly had saved 90 games for Houston from 2021-23, posting a 2.94 ERA. 0.98 WHIP, and 25.4% K-BB%. In the setup role in 2024, however, the righty posted a 3.49 ERA, 1.34 WHIP, and 16.4% K-BB%. With Hader and other capable arms at the back end of the bullpen, the team could let Pressly go and get prospects in return, although with the veteran's full no-trade clause, the pitcher would have to be on board with any proposed destination. It's worth monitoring for fantasy in the event he lands in a good spot with the opportunity to close.
Nov 7   
Mauricio Dubón  • LF  •  Astros

Mauricio Dubon To Have Thumb Surgery

Houston Astros utility man Mauricio Dubon (thumb) played the final month of the 2024 season with a torn ulnar collateral ligament in his left thumb, according to a person with knowledge of the injury. Dubon will need surgery to fix the ligament damage, which will be performed by renowned hand surgeon Dr. Thomas Graham. The typical recovery time for the injury is six to eight weeks, meaning Dubon should be at full strength for the start of spring training next February. He initially injured his thumb sliding into first base on Sept. 6 against the Arizona Diamondbacks, although X-rays showed no damage at the time. Dubon played well despite the injury in 18 games, hitting .291/.322/.346 over 59 plate appearances. MLBTradeRumors projects Dubon to earn $4.6 million this winter in his third time through the salary arbitration process. The 30-year-old hit .269/.296/.361 with four homers and three steals in 137 games in 2024.
Oct 9   
Cristian Javier  • SP  •  Astros  |  José Urquidy  • SP  •  Astros

Cristian Javier, Jose Urquidy Expected To Be Ready Next July

Houston Astros general manager Dana Brown said on Thursday that right-handers Cristian Javier (elbow) and Jose Urquidy (elbow) are both projected to return at the end of July in 2025, "hopefully earlier." Javier and Urquidy both had Tommy John surgery in June of this year, so they will most likely miss all of the first half of next season as they recover. Javier is the more attractive fantasy option, but neither pitcher is going to be able to make any kind of impact until after the All-Star break, and even then, they'll both be risky coming of TJ surgery. The 27-year-old Javier only made seven starts for Houston in 2024, going 3-1 with a 3.89 ERA and 1.41 WHIP with 27 K's and 19 walks in 34 2/3 innings. Urquidy was unable to pitch at all in the big leagues in 2024, and he only appeared in 16 (10 starts) games in 2023 due to injuries as well.
Oct 3   
Justin Verlander  • SP  •  Astros

Justin Verlander Plans To Pitch In 2025

Houston Astros veteran right-hander Justin Verlander said he plans to continue his career and pitch in 2025. Verlander, who dealt with injuries in 2024 and pitched in only 17 games, wasn't even included on the team's playoff roster for the Wild-Card Series versus the Detroit Tigers, which the Astros lost in two games to get eliminated. In his 17 starts during the regular season, the three-time Cy Young winner had a bloated 5.48 ERA (4.78 FIP) and a 1.38 WHIP with 74 strikeouts and 27 walks in 90 1/3 innings pitched. His strikeout rate dropped to 18.7%, the first time it has been under 20% since 2014. The future Hall of Famer began the year on the injured list due to a right-shoulder injury and was later sidelined due to a neck injury. Verlander could bounce back with better health in 2025, but he'll also turn 42 before the season, and Father Time isn't on his side. Obviously, Verlander is no longer the fantasy ace he was for so many years.
Oct 3   
Yusei Kikuchi  • SP  •  Astros

Yusei Kikuchi An Option To Start Game 3

Houston Astros left-hander Yusei Kikuchi said he was told "a few days ago" that he may be used in Game 2 of the wild-card series on Wednesday against the Detroit Tigers at Minute Maid Park in a relief role. Kikuchi will be available out of the bullpen on Wednesday, but he would start a deciding Game 3 on Thursday if it happens and he's not used in relief on Wednesday. The Astros aren't going to hold anything back on Wednesday to try and avoid elimination after losing Game 1 on Tuesday, so it's not a guarantee that the 33-year-old southpaw starts on Thursday. The Astros would be wise to use Kikuchi on Wednesday if the game is close, as he was great in 10 starts after joining Houston in a trade from Toronto, going 5-1 with a 2.70 ERA, a 0.93 WHIP, 76 strikeouts and only 14 walks in 60 innings pitched down the stretch.
Oct 2   
Jon Singleton  • 1B  •  Astros  |  Jake Meyers  • CF  •  Astros

Jon Singleton, Jake Meyers Out For Game 2

Houston Astros first baseman Jon Singleton and outfielder Jake Meyers are on the bench for Game 2 of the wild-card series on Wednesday against the Detroit Tigers at Minute Maid Park. Victor Caratini is making the start at first base and will bat sixth, while Chas McCormick is starting in center field and in the nine-hole in a must-win game against Tigers left-handed opener Tyler Holton. Both Singleton and Meyers could enter Wednesday's contest later on once the lefty is out of the game. Neither Caratini nor McCormick bring a ton of DFS appeal to the table on Wednesday. Caratini hit .269 (66-for-245) on the year with eight home runs and 30 RBI, while McCormick had the worst season of his four-year career with a .211/.271/.306 slash line and five home runs in 94 games. McCormick was just activated from the injured list after fracturing his right hand in mid-September.
Oct 2   
Hunter Brown  • SP  •  Astros

Hunter Brown Starting Game 2 On Wednesday

Houston Astros starting pitcher Hunter Brown will be called upon to keep the team's playoff hopes alive in Wednesday's wild-card Game 2 against the Tigers. The 26-year-old enjoyed a strong second half of the regular season, bringing his totals to 11-9 with a 3.49 ERA, a 1.27 WHIP, and a 25.1% strikeout rate in 31 appearances (30 starts) and 170 innings pitched. He owns a 1.69 post-season ERA in 10 2/3 IP, but this will be his first post-season start. Brown had two successful starts against the Tigers in the regular season, allowing just one run in 12 IP with 16 strikeouts.
Oct 2   
Chas McCormick  • LF  •  Astros

Chas McCormick Rejoins Astros For Postseason

Houston Astros outfielder Chas McCormick (hand) was activated from the 10-day injured list on Tuesday and has been added to the team's roster for the wild-card series this week at Minute Maid Park against the Detroit Tigers. McCormick is not in the starting lineup for Game 1 on Tuesday, but he is back with the team to provide outfield depth after suffering a fractured right hand in the middle of September. The 29-year-old will most likely see at-bats versus left-handed pitching, although he's not starting against lefty Tarik Skubal, who won the American League pitching Triple Crown this year. McCormick had his best year in the big leagues last year but failed to replicate that success in 2024, as he finished the regular season hitting .211 (51-for-242) with a career-low five home runs, 27 RBI and eight stolen bases in a career-low 94 games. In just seven September games, he went 9-for-23 (.391) with a double and three RBI for the 'Stros.
Oct 1   
Justin Verlander  • SP  •  Astros

Justin Verlander Not On Wild-Card Series Roster

The Houston Astros have left right-hander Justin Verlander off the roster for the wild-card series this week at Minute Maid Park against the Detroit Tigers. It's crazy to think that a three-time Cy Young winner won't be on the Astros' playoff roster, but considering what the 41-year-old has done this year, it doesn't come as that big of a surprise. Verlander battled injuries in his 19th MLB season and was only able to make 17 starts (90 1/3 innings), going 5-6 with a 5.48 ERA (4.78 FIP), a 1.38 WHIP, 74 strikeouts and 27 walks. The nine-time All-Star was not good in the second half of the season in his seven starts, allowing 30 earned runs on 46 hits (four home runs) while walking 10 and striking out 23 in 33 1/3 innings of work. Houston is rolling with left-hander Framber Valdez in Game 1 and will likely use Ronel Blanco and Yusei Kikuchi the rest of the series. If Houston advances to the ALDS to face Cleveland, Verlander could be added to the playoff roster.
Oct 1   
Yordan Alvarez  • LF  •  Astros

Yordan Alvarez In Lineup For Game 1 Of Wild-Card Series

Houston Astros outfielder/designated hitter Yordan Alvarez (knee) is serving as the DH and is batting second for Game 1 of the wild-card series on Tuesday against the Detroit Tigers and left-hander Tarik Skubal at Minute Maid Park. Alvarez sprained his right knee while sliding over a week ago and was forced to sit out the final week of the regular season as a result. The 27-year-old lefty slugger did some hitting and running on Monday and was cleared to be part of the postseason roster. When healthy, Alvarez is one of the best all-around hitters in baseball, but it's unclear how healthy he actually is, and he'll be facing Skubal, who won the American League pitching Triple Crown in 2024. Alvarez was an All-Star this year for the third straight season and hit a cool .308/.392/.567 with 35 homers, 86 RBI and six steals in 147 games played.
Oct 1   
Yordan Alvarez  • LF  •  Astros

Yordan Alvarez To Hit On Monday

Houston Astros designated hitter Yordan Alvarez (knee) will reportedly hit on Monday, according to manager Joe Espada. The superstar slugger has been sidelined since September 22 due to a lingering knee issue. It sounds like Alvarez has been making solid progress and should be ready for the Wild Card series against the Detroit Tigers on Tuesday. The expectation is that Alvarez is going to DH during that series. The Astros will take that as they'd be in serious trouble if their superstar slugger was unable to hit in the postseason.
Sep 29   
Spencer Arrighetti  • SP  •  Astros

Spencer Arrighetti Available Out Of The Bullpen

Houston Astros starting pitcher Spencer Arrighetti is available to pitch out of the bullpen this weekend, according to manager Joe Espada. The right-hander is scheduled to start on Sunday, but it sounds like the team would rather use him out of the bullpen. The assumption is that Arrighetti is going to be used as a reliever in the postseason, so they might be trying to gear him up for that. The rookie right-hander hasn't pitched out of the bullpen yet as he holds a 4.61 ERA, 1.40 WHIP, and 167/62 K/BB ratio across 28 starts in Houston.
Sep 27   
Jeremy Peña  • SS  •  Astros

Jeremy Pena Getting A Breather

Houston Astros shortstop Jeremy Pena and outfielder Jason Heyward will both start on the bench for Friday's series opener in Cleveland against the Guardians at Progressive Field. Grae Kessinger is starting at the 6 and batting ninth, while Mauricio Dubon is in left field and batting eighth against Guardians rookie left-hander Joey Cantillo. Pena doesn't sit often, as this is his first day off since Aug. 22. Kessinger made his big-league debut last year and played in 26 games, hitting .200 (8-for-40) with a homer and an RBI. He's only played in 20 games in 2024 and has gone hitless in 17 plate appearances with one walk and five strikeouts. DFS gamers should ignore him on Friday. Dubon, a super-utility man for the Astros, has very little DFS sleeper appeal at the bottom of the order with just four home runs and 47 RBI in 394 at-bats in 2024.
Sep 27   
Chas McCormick  • LF  •  Astros

Chas McCormick Won't Return This Week

Houston Astros outfielder Chas McCormick (hand) will not accompany the team to Cleveland for their series this weekend against the Guardians to close out the regular season, according to manager Joe Espada. McCormick will stay in Houston to work with the team's doctors and training staff. He will take live at-bats and will hope to be included on the team's roster for the first round of the playoffs, which begins next week. The 29-year-old outfielder has been sidelined since the middle of September, when he fractured his right hand. He had been hot at the plate before his injury, but overall this year, McCormick has struggled to a .211/.271/.306 slash line with only five homers, 27 RBI and eight stolen bases in 242 at-bats. With Yordan Alvarez (knee) nursing a right-knee sprain, Jason Heyward is benefitting from regular playing time to close out the season in Houston's outfield.
Sep 25   
Yordan Alvarez  • LF  •  Astros

Yordan Alvarez Won't Play Again This Week

Houston Astros outfielder/designated hitter Yordan Alvarez (knee) won't accompany the team to Cleveland this weekend for their series against the Guardians to close out the 2024 regular season, according to manager Joe Espada. Alvarez will stay in Houston to work with the team's doctors and training staff. The left-handed slugger still isn't doing baseball activity after spraining his right knee on a slide on Sunday, but he is feeling better. The 27-year-old was hoping to get some at-bats this weekend, but that won't be the case, and the Astros can only hope that he'll be ready to go for the first round of the playoffs next week. The Cuban slugger finishes his 2024 regular season with another strong campaign, slashing .308/.392/.567 with a .959 OPS, 35 home runs, 86 RBI, six steals and 88 runs scored in 552 at-bats. Jason Heyward should see regular playing time in the outfield the rest of the way for Houston.
Sep 25   
Kyle Tucker  • RF  •  Astros

Kyle Tucker Starting On The Bench In Series Finale

Houston Astros outfielder Kyle Tucker will get the day off on Wednesday for the series finale against the division-rival Seattle Mariners at Minute Maid Park a day after the Astros clinched the American League West division title. With Tucker on the bench, Jason Heyward will make the start in right field and bat sixth against Mariners right-hander George Kirby. Mauricio Dubon is in left field and in the eight-hole. Tucker fractured his shin fouling a ball off his ankle in early June and didn't return until Sept. 6. Since his return, he's picked up right where he left off and then some, going 18-for-53 (.340) with four home runs, two doubles, eight RBI, 10 walks and a stolen base in 16 games played. Houston is going to need Tucker to continue swinging a hot bat if they want to make another deep postseason run. Heyward has gone hitless in three career at-bats against Kirby and is tough to recommend in DFS in the difficult matchup.
Sep 25   
Jose Altuve  • 2B  •  Astros

Jose Altuve Sitting Out On Wednesday

Houston Astros second baseman Jose Altuve is not in the team's lineup on Wednesday for the series finale against the division-rival Seattle Mariners at Minute Maid Park a day after the Astros clinched the American League West division title yet again. With Altuve getting the day off, rookie Shay Whitcomb will man the keystone and bat seventh versus Mariners right-hander George Kirby. After injuries limited him to 90 games in 2023, Altuve has had a great bounce-back year in 2024. The nine-time All-Star is slashing .293/.349/.436 with 20 home runs, 65 RBI, 22 stolen bases and 92 runs scored in 152 games played this season. Whitcomb, drafted in the fifth round in 2020 out of the University of California-San Diego, will be making his first start since Sept. 1. In his first 19 big-league games in 2024, he's gone 9-for-37 (.243) with three doubles, five RBI, five walks and eight strikeouts.
Sep 25   
Josh Hader  • RP  •  Astros

Josh Hader Rebounds With Four-Out Save Tuesday

Houston Astros closer Josh Hader got back on track in Tuesday's 4-3 win over the Mariners, earning a four-out save. Hader came in to pitch the top of the eighth inning up by one with two outs and runners on first and third. He got the third out with a strikeout and stayed in to pitch the ninth, delivering a 1-2-3 inning with two more strikeouts. The 30-year-old closed the door on an American League West division title, just one outing after yielding four runs while recording just one out. Hader has not performed as well as he had earlier in his career, but he has still racked up 34 saves with a 3.60 ERA, a 0.93 WHIP, and a 13.37 K/9 rate in 70 innings of work. Given his job security and strong offense backing him, he should remain a high-end fantasy option for the foreseeable future.
Sep 25   
Yordan Alvarez  • LF  •  Astros

Yordan Alvarez Hopes To Get Some At-Bats This Weekend

Houston Astros outfielder/designated hitter Yordan Alvarez (knee) said he's able to put more weight on his leg on Tuesday but still isn't able to turn his knee at all. Alvarez said he's hoping to get some at-bats this weekend in the final series of the regular season against the Cleveland Guardians, but that will be contingent on the swelling in his knee. The 27-year-old left-handed slugger was diagnosed with a right-knee sprain after undergoing an MRI exam on Monday. It's the worst possible time for the Astros to lose one of the best all-around hitters in baseball with the playoffs beginning next week. If he is unable to get some at-bats this weekend against the Guardians, there's no guarantee that Alvarez will be ready to go for the start of the postseason. Jason Heyward is going to benefit from extra playing time in the outfield in Houston with Alvarez dinged up.
Sep 25   
LEGEND
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