Houston Astros: Breaking News, Rumors & Highlights

Astros Announce Plan for Cristian Javier Upon Return

The Houston Astros will get a key pitcher back on Friday. Right-hander Cristian Javier, who has been on the injured list since April 9 with a Grade 2 right shoulder strain, will be activated before the Astros' series opener against the Tampa Bay Rays tomorrow.

Features

The Morning Bark

The Quiz of the Day

Astros Pitcher Emerging as 'Sought-After' Target Before Trade Deadline

The Houston Astros are 43-46 heading into a three-game series against the Tampa Bay Rays. Despite their losing record, Houston isn't out of the playoff picture.

Houston Astros News / Houston Astros on SI / July 2

Astros Could Have Unexpected Trade Asset at Deadline

The Houston Astros are in a much different position at the start of July compared to where they were at the beginning of June. One month ago, the Astros were 27-35, and on July 2, they are 43-46 after dropping a series on the road vs the Minnesota Twins.

Houston Astros News / MLB Trade Rumors / July 2

Astros’ AJ Blubaugh Drawing Trade Interest

Astros right-hander AJ Blubaugh has become a popular ask from other clubs who’ve engaged in trade talks with the Astros, reports Chandler Rome of The Athletic.

Kyle Schwarber News / Yardbarker Quizzes

The 'Active MLB XBH leaders' quiz

How many of the active MLB players to rack up at least 500 extra base hits in their career can you name in five minutes?

The 'MLB All-Star Game MVPs' quiz

The 'MLB active HR leaders' quiz

The 'Active 200-K season leaders' quiz

Kevin Alvarez News / Houston Astros on SI / July 2

Astros Prospect Kevin Alvarez Earns Prestigious MLB Futures Game Honor

The Houston Astros are trying to end the first half of the 2026 campaign in a better place than where they started the season. With a handful of games left before the All-Star break, Houston is just a few games under the .500 mark and closer than anyone would have thought in the AL West division race.

MLB News / Yardbarker

25 MLB players most likely to be traded by the deadline

The MLB Trade Deadline has been quieter in recent years, in part due to playoff expansion, but 2026 is shaping up to be a more exciting one with several big names.

Cristian Javier News / MLB Trade Rumors / July 2

Astros To Move Cristian Javier To Bullpen

The Astros have been without Cristian Javier for the better part of three months due to a Grade 2 strain of his throwing shoulder. The right-hander will return from the injured list this week but will do so in an unfamiliar role.

MLB News / Crawfish Boxes / July 2

Imai Implodes Again, Astros Blasted by Twins 8-3

It’s never a good sign when your first mile feels like you’ve already run a full marathon. For Tatsuyi Imai, the outing was quick and ugly. Twins 8 Astros 3. Imai’s early game struggles were on full display before an announced crowd of 29,179.

Houston Astros News / MLB on ClutchPoints / July 1

Astros’ Christian Walker gets 100% real on Yordan Alvarez possibly participating in Home Run Derby

The Houston Astros have an All-Star storyline building around Yordan Alvarez, but Christian Walker offered a grounded view on why the slugger may not fit the Home Run Derby stage.

Houston Astros News / NBC Sports / July 1

Watch: Astros welcome AL-best Rays with hopes of climbing AL West | MLB According to CC | MLB on NBC

MLB News / Yardbarker / July 1

Rays star Junior Caminero makes MLB history with latest home run

Baseball's hottest hitter isn't just carrying his team — he's making history.

Cubs' Seiya Suzuki joins exclusive history with 100th career home run

Cubs slug eight homers, score 23 runs in series finale vs. Padres

Athletics get a devastating update on Brent Rooker injury

Beltway rivals Orioles and Nationals complete first trade between franchises

Rival MLB executives identify front-runner for Tarik Skubal

Athletics News / Yardbarker

25 MLB players who could be first-time All-Stars in 2026

Being named to the Midsummer Classic is one of the biggest honors for MLB players. These 25 players have a chance to make their first All-Star appearance in 2026 based on their first-half performances.

Houston Astros News / Crawfish Boxes / July 1

Astros vs Twins Game Discussion: 7/1/2026

TONIGHT’S GAME: The Houston Astros (43-45) will play another rubber game tonight as they conclude their three game series with the visiting Minnesota Twins (41-46) at Daikin Park.

Cristian Javier News / MLB on ClutchPoints / July 1

Astros planning Cristian Javier change after return from IL

The Houston Astros are about to get a familiar arm back, but in a very different role. Manager Joe Espada said Cristian Javier will be activated from the injured list on Friday and used out of the bullpen, at least for now, signaling a strategic shift in how Houston plans to deploy the right-hander in the second half.

Click here to get Yardbarker's Quiz of the Day emailed to you!

The '2018-19 PPG leaders by team' quiz

The 'NBA Rookies of the Year' quiz

The 'Active MLB XBH leaders' quiz

The 'First-overall NHL Draft picks' quiz

Jeremy Pena News / Athlon Sports / July 1

Jeremy Pena Injury Update: Astros SS Takes First Step Forward

Houston Astros shortstop Jeremy Peña is showing encouraging signs in his recovery from a left calf strain. The 27-year-old was placed on the 10-day injured list earlier this week, but Wednesday brought a positive development.

Kai-Wei Teng News / Houston Astros on SI / July 1

Astros Lose Another Arm as Teng Heads to the Injured List

The Houston Astros are placing right-hander Kai-Wei Teng on the 15-day injured list with a right knee sprain, per several reports on X, first reported by Chandler Rome fromThe Athletic.The move is just one more pitcher on the injured list in a year that has seen a revolving door of names.

Houston Astros News / Yardbarker Quizzes

The 'Active multiple .300 seasons' quiz

How many of the 27 active MLB players to post a .300 or better batting average in multiple seasons can you name in five minutes?

Josh Hader News / Houston Astros on SI / July 1

June Proves Josh Hader’s Value to Astros Hopes of Making Playoffs

If the month of June proved anything to the Houston Astros, it's that the wait for Josh Hader to close games was worth it. The Astros wrapped up June with a victory over the Minnesota Twins on Tuesday and Hader shut down the ninth inning.

MLB News / Field Level Media / July 1

Astros take aim at Twins, chase sixth straight series win

The Astros expressed optimism that shortstop Jeremy Pena will have a minimum stint on the 10-day injured list with a left calf strain, a positive development for hard-charging Houston.

Yordan Alvarez News / Sport Relay / July 1

Alvarez’s Grand Slam Lifts Astros Past Twins

The Houston Astros defeated the Minnesota Twins 6–4 on Tuesday night at Daikin Park after erasing an early three-run deficit behind Yordan Alvarez‘s fourth-inning grand slam.

Yordan Alvarez News / Yardbarker / June 30