All articles tagged with #astros
Astros owner Jim Crane is effectively running the front office after parting ways with GM Dana Brown, with Jeff Bagwell remaining as a senior advisor and no immediate plan for a replacement; Crane says a new GM isn’t being pursued yet and hints external candidates could be considered later, while Houston stays in the AL West playoff race.
Houston manager Joe Espada will remain in his role for the rest of the 2026 season after owner Jim Crane confirmed the job is safe amid a front-office shakeup that included Dana Brown’s departure; Espada’s contract ends at year’s end. Houston sits a half-game behind the Rangers for the AL West and is battling for a Wild Card, with a relatively quiet trade deadline and ongoing uncertainty about the club’s direction in the offseason.
Bleacher Nation reports the Houston Astros have parted ways with GM Dana Brown, with Jim Crane overseeing the transition and assistants taking over as the team navigates the playoff race; Dan Szymborski’s PCA Milestone Pace highlights Cubs prospect Pete Crow-Armstrong and his projected Cubs-era milestones, with modest odds for 3,000 hits and 500+ homers; Shohei Ohtani has thrown a 30-pitch live BP and could return to the mound soon for the Dodgers, potentially boosting their playoff rotation and PCA MVP chatter; Brewers’ Brandon Woodruff may still return this season; meanwhile White Sox hold the AL Central lead and the Cubs remain in the NL Central hunt with Phillies looming on the wild-card race.
Mariners fall 10-7 to the Astros in extra innings after a rollercoaster game that featured Brock Rodden’s major-league debut, a bullpen that steadied in relief, and a late Mariners rally that tied the game only to see Andrés Muñoz surrender a game-winning slider to Christian Walker for the walk-off. The loss reinforces Seattle’s pattern of painful, luck-fueled losses despite the occasional late-inning push.
Astros are listed as +105 underdogs against the Padres in Sunday Night Baseball at Petco Park. The betting picks favor Houston down to about +100 on the moneyline and the Over 8.5, citing Randy Vasquez’s regression risk and Cristian Javier’s recent struggles as reasons for a run-heavy game.
Deadline-day moves across the AL West reshaped the race: Astros added outfield depth by trading for Daulton Varsho (Toronto) for Spencer Arrighetti; Angels staged a four-trade spree bringing in multiple prospects and immediate help; Rangers made several buys including Adam Macko after dealing Josh Smith and Josh Stephan; Athletics were largely quiet; Seattle had already landed Taylor Ward via Baltimore after a four-player swap with the White Sox — leaving Houston three games ahead of Seattle in the division.
The Blue Jays and Astros are nearing a deal that would send Daulton Varsho to Houston in exchange for right-hander Spencer Arrighetti, with Toronto reportedly paying part of Varsho’s $10.75 million salary. Varsho would add a left-handed bat and strong defense to the Astros’ outfield, while Arrighetti—currently dealing with a foot nerve issue and on the IL—would give Toronto added rotation depth and control for several years. The deal hinges on medical reviews and isn’t official yet, as both sides weigh how Varsho’s offense and Arrighetti’s durability fit into their playoff plans.
Astros slugger Yordan Alvarez entered the week leading MLB in home runs (34), on-base percentage (.431) and OPS (1.074), putting him on a historic pace to win both the traditional Triple Crown and the rarer Slash Triple Crown. He stands out in two-strike hitting and remains a powerful presence even with two strikes. Meanwhile, the Padres are treating late July like playoff prep ahead of the Aug. 3 trade deadline, using quick hooks and bullpen pressure to chase a wild-card spot.
The Astros placed Spencer Arrighetti on the 15-day injured list with right foot nerve irritation, promoting Bryan King to the majors. Arrighetti left after a rough first inning against the White Sox, and Houston will lean on AJ Blubaugh or Kai-Wei Teng to fill the rotation, with Teng more stretched out. Arrighetti had shown early-season promise before a June regression and has a history of injuries; King returns after a brief Triple-A stint.
The Kansas City Royals acquired right-hander Nate Pearson from the Houston Astros in exchange for minor-league right-hander Max Martin after Pearson was designated for assignment by Houston. Pearson, once a top prospect, has battled injuries and has mostly pitched in relief, but remains controllable through 2027. Kansas City cleared a roster spot by DFA’ing Kameron Misner to complete the deal, while Houston gains a lower-cost bullpen depth piece and trims some payroll.
The Astros promoted 23-year-old left-handed outfielder Lucas Spence from Triple-A Sugar Land to fill a temporary outfield role after Brice Matthews was placed on the 10-day injured list with a knee sprain; Houston is also weighing longer-term upgrades as they navigate a patchwork outfield that includes Cam Smith, LaMonte Wade Jr., and Taylor Trammell, while Matthews’ injury and inconsistencies have left the position unsettled.
The Houston Astros shipped Lance McCullers Jr., reliever Colton Gordon, and cash to the Milwaukee Brewers for minor league outfielder Jadyn Fielder as a salary-dump at the trade deadline. McCullers, in the final year of his contract and owed $17 million this season, has pitched only 39.1 innings this year due to a rotator cuff injury and is just returning from rehab starts. Milwaukee, short on rotation depth with Brandon Woodruff on the 60-day IL, adds a veteran arm as it pursues a pennant bid. McCullers waived his no-trade clause and leaves the Astros’ 2017 World Series core with only Altuve and Correa remaining; his peak came in 2021 when he went 13-5 with a 3.16 ERA.
MLB.com reports the Houston Astros traded right-hander Lance McCullers Jr. to the Milwaukee Brewers; terms of the return are not disclosed. McCullers, nearing a return from shoulder inflammation, had a 6.86 ERA in eight starts earlier this season. Milwaukee has had success with pitchers who rely on a varied mix rather than velocity, so he could contribute down the stretch, though fantasy owners should expect him only in deep leagues for now.
Milwaukee lands Lance McCullers Jr. and Colton Gordon from Houston in a salary-relief deal, with McCullers reportedly waiving his no-trade clause and Houston paying a portion of his remaining contract. Gordon, a 27-year-old left-hander with strong Triple-A numbers but limited MLB success, gives Milwaukee a controllable arm they hope to develop, while Houston trims payroll ahead of the trade deadline.
The Astros activated Hunter Brown from the 60-day IL and Yainer Diaz from the 10-day IL, optioned Collin Price to Triple-A Sugar Land, and designated Jayden Murray for assignment. Brown returns to anchor Houston’s rotation after a shoulder strain and rehab, Diaz adds balance behind the plate after an oblique strain, and Murray now faces waivers with up to five days to trade.