Houston Astros News

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Jason Schiavone • C • Astros

Jason Schiavone Moving Up to Triple-A Sugar Land

Houston Astros catcher/first base prospect Jason Schiavone has been promoted to Triple-A for the remainder of the 2026 season. The Astros' sixth-ranked prospect started the year at High-A, powering his way to Double-A after just 35 games (17 home runs, 1.218 OPS). The JMU product saw his batting average dip to just .233 at the higher level, but he continued to display his trademark power (14 home runs) and ability to draw walks (14.5 percent) during his 79-game tenure there. A 33.0 percent strikeout rate is concerning, though, so it is worth keeping an eye on at Triple-A. The 6-foot-1 backstop moves well for a catcher, having swiped 29 bags this season in 114 total games, and could make quick work of Triple-A next year if he can continue to produce home runs and keep the strikeouts to a palatable level. With a rare power/speed combination for a catcher, there is some fantasy intrigue here, though he's not yet a must-stash in dynasty leagues.

22 hours ago

Hayden Wesneski • SP • Astros

Hayden Wesneski Emerging as a High-End Starting Pitcher Streamer

Houston Astros starting pitcher Hayden Wesneski picked up his fifth win of the season on Tuesday, allowing three earned runs while striking out three across six innings of work in his team's 6-5 win over the Philadelphia Phillies. Wesneski missed the first half of the 2026 season while recovering from Tommy John surgery. However, the 28-year-old has been effective since returning to the Astros rotation in late July. Across 45 2/3 innings (eight starts), Wesneski has recorded a 5-1 record with a 3.35 ERA, 1.04 WHIP, and 36 strikeouts. Including his outing against Philadelphia on Tuesday, the right-hander has logged four consecutive starts of at least five innings pitched and three or fewer earned runs allowed. Wesneski profiles as a priority streamer option for fantasy managers ahead of his next scheduled start at Tropicana Field against the Rays on Sunday.

Yesterday

Josh Hader • RP • Astros

Josh Hader Records 20th Save, Continues Excellent Season

There were reasons to be skeptical going into the 2026 season that Houston Astros veteran left-handed closer Josh Hader might be fading as a top-tier fantasy closer. The 32-year-old veteran southpaw got a late start to his season due to left-shoulder issues, but once he put that in the rearview mirror, he has not looked back. The six-time All-Star threw a perfect inning in Friday's 3-1 win over the New York Mets at Citi Field with two strikeouts to pick up his 20th save of the season. In his 10th year in the big leagues (third with the Astros), Hader has been electric, going 4-1 with a 0.76 ERA (1.67 FIP) and 0.68 WHIP with 48 strikeouts and 11 walks in 35 1/3 innings pitched out of the bullpen. Hader has yet to blow a save in 2026, with his last blown save dating all the way back to July 12 of 2025. Since the All-Star break, he has allowed just one earned run on seven hits while walking three and striking out 23 in 20 innings for a win and 10 saves. Hader has allowed a run in just three of his 36 appearances this year and has been reliable as ever.

Aug 29

Jeremy Peña • SS • Astros

Jeremy Pena Active After Injury Scare on Thursday Night

Houston Astros shortstop Jeremy Pena (hand) is starting at the 6 and batting leadoff for Friday's series opener on the road against the New York Mets and right-hander Christian Scott at Citi Field, per MLB.com. Pena was hit on the left hand by a pitch in the series finale on Thursday against the New York Yankees, but he stayed in the game and even hit a home run. After X-rays came back negative, he is back in the starting nine to kick off a series in Queens against the Mets. Fantasy managers will want to keep the 28-year-old Dominican infielder in their starting lineups. He has played in only 84 games (363 plate appearances) in 2026 due to various injuries, but Pena is slashing a strong .282/.336/.477 with an .814 OPS, 16 home runs, 44 RBI, 65 runs scored, and eight stolen bases. Although Pena has two homers in his last three games, he's batting .184 (16-for-87) with four homers, four doubles, a triple, 10 RBI, 14 runs, four walks, and 31 strikeouts in 21 games in August. He has never faced Scott in his MLB career.

Aug 28

Yordan Alvarez • DH • Astros

Yordan Alvarez Keeps Mashing the Ball

Houston Astros designated hitter Yordan Alvarez has been posting unbelievable numbers at the plate this season. Through 132 games, Alvarez is slashing .319/.434/.609 with a league-leading 36 home runs and 91 RBI. His overall power numbers have declined lately, with only one long ball over the last month. Fantasy managers are hopeful that his power comes back soon, with the fantasy playoffs quickly approaching. Despite a lack of homers in August, Alvarez is still the MVP favorite in the American League and remains a great source of production in basically every other category right now.

Aug 28

Jeremy Peña • SS • Astros

X-Rays Negative on Jeremy Pena's Hand After Hit-by-Pitch

Post-game X-rays on Houston Astros shortstop Jeremy Pena's left hand were negative, according to Chandler Rome of The Athletic. Pena was hit on the knuckle of both his pinkie and ring finger with a 96 mph fastball from New York Yankees right-hander Gerrit Cole in the top of the third inning on Friday night in the team's 5-1 win in the Bronx. Pena actually stayed in the game and went 1-for-4 at the plate with his 16th home run of the season, two RBI, and two strikeouts out of the leadoff spot for Houston. Fantasy managers should consider Pena day-to-day. Check back on Friday to see if the Astros give him a day off in the series opener in Queens against the New York Mets. The 28-year-old Dominican has been beat up by various injuries in 2026, but when active, he's been a solid fantasy shortstop, as he entered Thursday's tilt with a .283/.335/.471 slash line, .806 OPS, 15 homers, 43 RBI, 63 runs scored, and eight stolen bases across his 392 at-bats in his fifth year in the majors. Pena has now gone deep in two of his last three games.

Aug 27

Jeremy Peña • SS • Astros

Jeremy Pena Leaves Early Wednesday With "Right-Hand Contusion"

According to the Houston Astros, shortstop Jeremy Pena (hand) left Wednesday's game early against the division-rival Los Angeles Angels due to a "right-hand contusion" after he was hit by a pitch in the first inning. Pena tried to stay in the game but was eventually replaced by pinch-hitter Nick Allen, who also took over for Pena at shortstop. It sounds like the 28-year-old avoided a fracture to his hand, so fantasy managers should consider him day-to-day for now. His next chance to return to the starting lineup will be for Thursday's series finale at Daikin Park against the Halos. Pena came into Wednesday's contest having played in only 78 games in 2026 due to various injuries, but he has hit a strong .284/.339/.471 with an .810 OPS, 14 home runs, 40 RBI, 59 runs scored, and eight stolen bases for the Astros. If Pena misses any more time, Allen will likely be the one to take over at shortstop in Houston. Since the All-Star break, Pena has hit .278 (32-for-115) with an .873 OPS, eight home runs, five doubles, a triple, 18 RBI, and 24 runs scored.

Aug 19

Jose Altuve • 2B • Astros

Jose Altuve Returns From Foot Injury on Friday

Houston Astros second baseman/outfielder Jose Altuve (foot) is starting at second base and batting fifth on Friday for the series opener at Daikin Park against the division-rival Seattle Mariners and right-hander George Kirby, per MLB.com. Altuve fouled a ball off his left foot on Tuesday against the San Francisco Giants and was held out of the series finale on Wednesday as a result. Tests came back negative, though, and Altuve is back in action on Friday after a scheduled day off on Thursday. The 36-year-old Venezuelan veteran and nine-time All-Star will return to face a pitcher that he is pretty familiar with. Altuve has faced Kirby 24 times in his career and is hitting .208 against him with a .488 OPS and just one RBI. Fantasy managers are hoping he can continue his strong month of August in which he has gone 11-for-34 (.324) with an .841 OPS, a homer, a double, five RBI, and five runs scored in only 10 games played. Overall, the former MVP has shown his age in 2026, slashing a mediocre .240/.304/.391 with 13 homers, 35 RBI, 54 runs, and only two steals in 96 total games played in his 16th year in the majors.

Aug 14

Jose Altuve • 2B • Astros

Jose Altuve Sidelined With Foot Injury in Series Finale Against Giants

Houston Astros second baseman/outfielder Jose Altuve (foot) is not in the team's starting lineup for Wednesday's series finale against the hosting San Francisco Giants, according to MLB.com. Altuve is undergoing more tests after tests came back negative for a fracture when he was pulled from Tuesday's game early after being hit by a pitch on the left foot. Nick Allen is making the start at the keystone on Wednesday and will bat eighth against Giants right-hander Adrian Houser. Altuve was initially diagnosed with a left-foot contusion and will be considered day-to-day for now. Hopefully, Altuve will be ready to rock for Friday's series opener against the division-rival Seattle Mariners on Friday after a scheduled day off on Thursday. Altuve is nowhere near the power/speed threat at the second base position that he used to be, as he comes into Wednesday's action with a mediocre .240/.304/.391 slash line, .695 OPS, 13 home runs, 35 RBI, 54 runs scored, and two steals in 96 games in 2026. So far in 10 games in August, though, he's gone 11-for-34 (.324) with a homer, a double, five RBI, and five runs scored.

Aug 12

Jose Altuve • 2B • Astros

Jose Altuve to Get More Imaging on his Foot on Wednesday

Houston Astros second baseman/outfielder Jose Altuve (foot) had imaging on his foot, which came back negative, manager Joe Espada told Brian McTaggart of MLB.com. Altuve will go for more imaging on Wednesday after being removed from the game following a hit-by-pitch on his left foot against the San Francisco Giants on Tuesday. The 36-year-old veteran, former MVP, and nine-time All-Star was diagnosed with just a contusion, which gives fantasy managers hope that he won't need a stint on the injured list. Check back soon to see if he's available to play in Wednesday's series finale in the Bay Area against the Giants and right-hander Adrian Houser. Altuve is no longer in his prime in his 16th year in the majors, but he's still rostered in 80% of Yahoo leagues and has a .240/.304/.391 slash line with a .695 OPS, 13 home runs, 35 RBI, 54 runs scored, and two stolen bases in 96 games and 409 plate appearances. He's off to a good start in 10 games in August, going 11-for-34 (.324) with a homer, a double, five RBI, and five runs scored.

Aug 12

Cam Smith • RF • Astros

Cam Smith Seeing it Well in August, Homers Twice Against Padres

Houston Astros outfielder Cam Smith kept his strong start to the month of August going in Friday's 6-3 win over the San Diego Padres at Petco Park, going 3-for-4 at the plate with two home runs, three runs scored, and a strikeout to boost his season average to .222 and his OPS to .686. Both of Smith's home runs on the night were of the solo variety, with his first one coming in the second inning off lefty starter Robbie Ray, and his second coming in the sixth frame off lefty reliever Yuki Matsui. It was Smith's second multi-homer performance of the 2026 season. The 23-year-old former 14th overall pick in 2024 from Florida State University has lowered his strikeout rate to 24.1% in his second MLB season, but the results haven't really followed. On the bright side, Smith is now up to 15 home runs on the year, and he is now 10-for-20 with two home runs, a double, four RBI, and five runs scored in a small sample size of six games to begin August. Fantasy managers desperate for some power in deeper leagues might want to look Smith's way if he stays hot this month. He's rostered in just 9% of Yahoo leagues at the moment.

Aug 8

Daulton Varsho • CF • Astros

Astros Bring in Outfielder Daulton Varsho in Trade With Toronto

The Houston Astros acquired center fielder Daulton Varsho from the Toronto Blue Jays on Monday, sources told ESPN's Jeff Passan. The Athletic's Mitch Bannon reports that the Astros sent right-hander Spencer Arrighetti (foot) to the Blue Jays in return for Varsho. The 30-year-old Varsho has been a disappointment at the plate this year in Toronto, but he will immediately bolster the Astros' defense in the outfield. In 333 at-bats in 2026 in his seventh year in the majors (fourth with the Blue Jays), Varsho hit a very mediocre .243/.307/.375 with a .682 OPS, seven home runs, 26 RBI, 39 runs scored, and nine stolen bases in 99 games across 365 plate appearances. He will be set to reach free agency at the end of the 2026 season, so he might turn out to be just a rental for Houston's playoff run. The former second-rounder by the Arizona Diamondbacks in 2017 from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee really struggled in July, going 17-for-83 (.205) with a .482 OPS, zero homers, three doubles, four RBI, eight runs scored, two steals, four walks, and 10 strikeouts in 24 games. Houston will be hoping that Varsho can be better than that at the plate going forward.

Aug 3

Tatsuya Imai • SP • Astros

Tatsuya Imai is Shifting to the Bullpen

Houston Astros starting pitcher Tatsuya Imai will be moved to the bullpen for the time being. Astros manager Joe Espada told reporters on Friday that Imai will move to the bullpen for the upcoming weekend series against the Texas Rangers. It has been mostly a struggle for Imai, so the team will see if he is more reliable out of the bullpen. During his latest start, Imai allowed two earned runs and walked four batters across 0.2 innings of work. The Astros haven't named a replacement to take Imai's spot for Sunday's start, but the expectation is that Peter Lambert will get a chance in the rotation. Imai is unlikely to offer much fantasy value out of the bullpen, so fantasy managers can start looking for a replacement.

Jul 31

Bryan Abreu • RP • Astros

Bryan Abreu Continues to See Fantasy Value Increase Amid Impressive Stretch

Houston Astros right-handed reliever Bryan Abreu got off to a rough start to the 2026 campaign when Josh Hader was still on the injured list, but he has been locked in of late and could be a waiver-wire consideration in deeper fantasy leagues. In the team's 7-4 win over the division-rival Los Angeles Angels on Wednesday, Abreu pitched 1 1/3 shutout innings with no hits allowed, no walks, and a strikeout to pick up his seventh save of the year. The 29-year-old Dominican hurler is 2-3 on the year with a still elevated 4.74 ERA (5.43 FIP) and 1.50 WHIP with 48 strikeouts and 28 walks in 38 innings out of the bullpen. This was Abreu's second save since the All-Star break, but he was only in there because Hader had pitched in four of the previous five days. Still, Abreu has been much better in July, allowing just two earned runs with three walks and 14 strikeouts in 11 innings pitched, and he will definitely be an asset in holds leagues if he continues to pitch like this. Abreu is rostered in 18% of Yahoo leagues.

Jul 30

Yainer Diaz • C • Astros

Yainer Diaz Remains a Deep-League Waiver-Wire Target

Houston Astros catcher Yainer Diaz got off to a rough start to the 2026 season, hitting .238 with just two home runs across his first 106 plate appearances and then suffering an oblique strain in early May that caused him to miss over a month. However, the 27-year-old has shown more power since his return, clubbing four home runs across his last 93 trips to the plate. Diaz was a productive player for fantasy managers in 2025, when he hit .256 with 20 home runs and 70 RBI. He's maintained an above-average strikeout rate (16.1%) so far this year and has been victimized by a subpar .248 batting average on balls in play, which is well below his career mark of .298. Diaz could continue to reach more power in the final months of the regular season, making him a catcher for fantasy managers to monitor on the waiver wire.

Jul 29

Jeremy Peña • SS • Astros

Jeremy Pena has Homered Five Times in his Last Six Games

Houston Astros shortstop Jeremy Pena continued his power surge in Sunday's 12-3 blowout loss on the road against the Chicago White Sox, going 2-for-4 out of the leadoff spot with two solo home runs, both against White Sox starter Erick Fedde. The 28-year-old shortstop now has five home runs in his last six games to boost his overall slash line in 2026 to .319/.373/.504 with an .878 OPS, 11 home runs, 30 RBI, 47 runs scored, and eight stolen bases across his 226 at-bats. In his last six games, the Dominican shortstop has gone 13-for-26 (.500) with five dingers, eight RBI, and 10 runs scored. Pena isn't known as a huge power option at the position, but his fantasy managers will take it, especially since he has missed valuable time in 2026 with several different injuries. In a small sample size of 11 games and 47 plate appearances so far in July, Pena is hitting a red-hot .419 (18-for-43) with five home runs, nine RBI, and 13 runs scored for the Astros. He's obviously a must-start in all traditional fantasy baseball leagues while he's rolling offensively.

Jul 27

Isaac Paredes • 3B • Astros

Isaac Paredes Heating Up in July, Emerging as a Priority Waiver Wire Target

Across 410 plate appearances in 2026, Houston Astros infielder Isaac Paredes is hitting .263/.354/.438 with 14 home runs, 54 RBI, and 42 runs scored. The 27-year-old's overall line is solid, but he's really started to heat up in July. Across 71 plate appearances so far this month, Paredes is hitting .323 with three homers and nine RBI. Paredes has never had elite batted-ball metrics, and he's posted subpar barrel (6.1%) and hard-hit (30.4%) rates once again this season. However, the righty slugger maximizes his power by pulling the ball in the air at a high rate, which is a perfect approach for Houston's short left field. Paredes is also tough to strike out (15.1% strikeout rate), which helps keep his batting average floor high. For fantasy managers in need of power and run production, Paredes is a logical waiver-wire target.

Jul 24

Kevin Alvarez • CF • Astros

Kevin Alvarez Turning in a Productive Month of July

Houston Astros outfield prospect Kevin Alvarez is adding to his well-rounded statistics this month while in Single-A-ball with the Fayetteville Woodpeckers. In 55 July at-bats, Alvarez has two homers and 11 RBI with 11 runs scored and a .327 batting average. At age 18, Alvarez is the top overall prospect for the Astros out of Cuba. The left-handed hitting outfielder is hitting .278 with eight homers and 41 RBI this season for Fayetteville. Blessed with a 60-grade hit tool, Alvarez has massive potential and is beginning to show that at Single-A. But he's just 18 years old and needs time to mature in the minor leagues. A high-priority dynasty league target, Alvarez is a ways away from producing in the major leagues. It could be two to three seasons before Alvarez is contributing to fantasy leagues, but he is someone fantasy managers won't want to forget about.

Jul 23

Christian Walker • 1B • Astros

Christian Walker Back From Hip Injury on Tuesday

Houston Astros first baseman Christian Walker (hip) is starting at first base and is batting sixth for the Astros on Tuesday against the visiting Miami Marlins and right-hander Tyler Phillips, according to MLB.com. Walker is back in the starting nine after missing the last two games due to a right-hip injury that he suffered on a swing on Saturday. The 35-year-old veteran will look to get back on track at the plate against a pitcher he has never faced after going 7-for-41 (.171) with one homer, three doubles, two RBI, five runs scored, three walks, and 15 strikeouts in 13 games and 48 plate appearances so far in July. Walker already has 20 home runs in 365 at-bats in 2026, but he's slashing just .233/.310/.455 with a .764 OPS, with 58 RBI and 50 runs scored in 99 games played. He's not striking out a ton (23.1% of the time), but his 43% ground-ball rate is his highest since 2020 with the Arizona Diamondbacks. Fantasy managers looking to buy low on Walker's power should think twice when looking at his .223 expected batting average and .301 xwOBA.

Jul 21

Yordan Alvarez • DH • Astros

Yordan Alvarez Cementing his Case for AL MVP With Another Two-Homer Game

Houston Astros outfielder Yordan Alvarez continued to rake in Monday night's 8-5 win over the visiting Miami Marlins at Daikin Park by going 3-for-4 at the plate as the designated hitter with two home runs and a strikeout to raise his season average to .324 and his OPS to a stellar 1.083. Alvarez continued to scorch the ball all over the ballpark in the series opener against the Fish, and his two homers now have him tied for the major-league lead in homers with 33 with Philadelphia Phillies outfielder Kyle Schwarber. The 29-year-old Cuban left-handed slugger also leads baseball with a 1.083 OPS and is second with his .324 batting average and 75 RBI. There aren't many pitchers in the league right now who can shut Alvarez down offensively. He came into Monday's tilt with a .353 average (18-for-51) and 1.159 OPS with five home runs, four doubles, 13 RBI, and six runs scored across 13 games and 60 plate appearances in the month of July. If Alvarez can continue his torrid pace for the rest of the second half and stay healthy, he has an excellent shot to be the first Triple Crown winner since Miguel Cabrera did it in 2012.

Jul 20

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