Houston Astros: Breaking News, Rumors & Highlights

Astros Make Framber Valdez Announcement Before Mariners Series

Left-handed starting pitcher Framber Valdez is in his eighth season with the Houston Astros after making his MLB debut in 2018. The 31-year-old left-hander has been a frontline starter for Houston ever since with All-Star appearances in 2022 and 2023.

Features

The Morning Bark

The Quiz of the Day

Astros Announce Major Change to Starting Rotation Against Mariners

The Houston Astros entered the All-Star break on a downswing, losing five out of their last six games against the Cleveland Guardians, who swept them, and the Texas Rangers, who won two out of three.

Houston Astros News / Crawfish Boxes / July 18

Astros drafted a few second basemen...

Looking at second basemen who were drafted in the lower rounds of the Astros’ draft...and checking in on the Pythag Looking at the second day of the Astros’ draft, I was struck by the number of hitters who are best characterized as second basemen or at least infield utility players.

Houston Astros News / Houston Astros on SI / July 18

MLB Insider Believes Astros Will Be 'Aggressive Buyers' at Trade Deadline

The Houston Astros have had a great first half of the season, and with a lead in the American League West, are now thinking about October baseball. It was hard to predict what the Astros were going to look like at the beginning of the year after a plethora of roster moves during the winter.

Kyle Schwarber News / Yardbarker Quizzes

The 'MLB All-Star Game MVPs' quiz

MLB began awarding the All-Star Game MVP Award during the 1962 season. How many of the MVPs since then can you name in six minutes?

The 'National League home run champions' quiz

The 'Leadoff home run leader' quiz

The 'MLB Home Run Derby champions' quiz

Houston Astros News / Crawfish Boxes / July 18

Astros Complete Amateur Draft and Draft Signing Tracker

We at TCB will update the signing status as draftees sign Xavier Neyens signing amount........... 1st round 21st pick Mt. Vernon HS (WA) USA SS L/R HS SR 6’ 4” 210lbs DOB:10/29/06 Pick Value: $4.12m Ethan Frey signing amount...........

Athletics News / Yardbarker

25 MLB players who might be fantasy league winners in the second half

It's crunch time for fantasy baseball managers as we head into the final two months of the regular season. These 25 players could make all the difference as pickups or acquisitions for fantasy rosters.

Houston Astros News / Houston Astros on SI / July 18

4 Players Astros Must Pursue Ahead of Trade Deadline

The Houston Astros are in about the best spot they could possibly be in heading into the second half of the season. Not only are they five games ahead

Houston Astros News / Crawfish Boxes / July 18

Houston Astros Boil: July 18, 2025

Welcome to the Friday Boil Houston Astros News Injuries and roster moves Offseason to-do list for the Astros (YS) Questions for the second half (HC) AL

Houston Astros News / Houston Astros on SI / July 18

Astros Already Lagging Farm System Likely To Take Hit Ahead of MLB Trade Deadline

The Houston Astros' farm system was one of the lowest ranked in baseball during the 2025 preseason. That is part of the reason people were so excited about Cam Smith, a 2024 first-round pick of the Chicago Cubs who was acquired in the Kyle Tucker blockbuster trade this past offseason.

Houston Astros News / Houston Astros on SI / July 17

Astros Set Starting Rotation for Post-All-Star Break Opening Series

The Houston Astros won’t start the second half with either of their aces for Friday’s second-half opener against the Seattle Mariners. The Astros set their rotation for the series, as reported by multiple outlets including MLB.com.

Yordan Alvarez News / Houston Astros on SI / July 17

Astros Slugger Yordan Alvarez Will Be Key for Franchise in Second Half

The Houston Astros are at the All-Star break with the best record in the American League West and exceeding expectations. After an offseason in which they lost two of their best players, the Astros have once again been able to find a way to be one of the best teams in the AL.

Houston Astros News / Houston Astros on SI / July 17

Astros Insider Reveals Spectacular 'Ideal Outcome' For Upcoming Trade Deadline

The Houston Astros are among the teams headed into the second half of the season who have a real chance to represent the American League in the World Series.

Athletics News / Yardbarker

The 20 greatest MLB managers who never won a World Series

Success in Major League Baseball can be measured in many ways; namely, winning a World Series. As a player, it is truly special. Meanwhile, doing so in the capacity of manager is a significant accomplishment, considering the pressure to succeed.

Houston Astros News / Houston Astros on SI / July 17

Astros Farm System Drops in Rankings Update After Big Swing in 2025 MLB Draft

The Houston Astros already had one of the weaker farm systems in the league and that did not change following the 2025 MLB draft. Bleacher Report's Joel Reuter just released his updated farm system rankings following the draft and the Astros actually ended up falling from No.

Houston Astros News / Houston Astros on SI / July 16

Astros Emerging Star Outfielder Has Been Most Clutch Performer in Baseball

The Houston Astros have exceeded even the most optimistic of expectations coming into the 2025 MLB season. With the second half of the year on the horizon, the Astros will be heading out of the All-Star break with a 56-40 record, leading the Seattle Mariners by five games in the American League West.

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

The 'NFL rookie 1,000-yard receivers' quiz

The 'MLB All-Star Game MVPs' quiz

The 'MLB Home Run Derby champions' quiz

The 'No. 1 overall MLB Draft picks' quiz

Houston Astros News / Houston Astros on SI / July 16

Lance McCullers Jr. Will Be Elite for Astros if He Can Figure This One Thing Out

One of the feel-good stories of the 2025 campaign for the Houston Astros thus far has been the return of starting pitcher Lance McCullers Jr. Before making his season debut on May 4 against the Chicago White Sox, the last time McCullers took the mound for an MLB game was in the World Series against the Philadelphia Phillies in 2022.

Houston Astros News / Houston Astros on SI / July 16

Former Astros Deadline Flop Attempting Major League Comeback

All signs are pointing to the Houston Astros buying ahead of this year's deadline once again. How aggressive they search for upgrades isn't clear, with their farm system still in recovery mode and injured players expected to return throughout the second half of this season.

Houston Astros News / 5 GOATs / July 14

Arkansas transfer commit Jackson Wells signs with Houston Astros

Arkansas was hoping to bring right-handed pitcher Jackson Wells onto the roster for the 2025 season. Head coach Dave Van Horn landed Wells out of the NCAA transfer portal, previously playing for Little Rock.

Joe Espada News / MLB on ClutchPoints / July 14

Astros’ Joe Espada to ‘focus on the positives’ despite pre-All-Star break skid

The Houston Astros are 1-5 in their last six games, as the team experienced a little skid right before the MLB All-Star break. It is a tad concerning, however, manager Joe Espada is maintaining positivity for the second half of the regular season.

Isaac Paredes News / Field Level Media / July 13

Astros 3B Isaac Paredes (family matter) pulls out of All-Star Game

Houston Astros third baseman Isaac Paredes has withdrawn from Tuesday's All-Star Game to attend to a family matter, Astros manager Joe Espada said prior to Sunday's game against the Texas Rangers.

MLB News / MLB Trade Rumors / July 12

Astros' Cristian Javier takes big step in injury recovery

Right-hander Cristian Javier took a big step towards returning to the Astros rotation today when he began a rehab assignment, as relayed by Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle.

Brice Matthews News / Field Level Media / July 11

Astros call up top prospect 2B Brice Matthews for MLB debut

The Houston Astros' top-ranked prospect will get a chance to deliver on his promise after the club called up second baseman Brice Matthews from Triple-A Sugar Land on Friday.

Jose Altuve News / Athlon Sports / July 10

Astros Facing Jose Altuve Decision After News on Thursday

Veteran second baseman Jose Altuve is playing in his 15th major-league season with the Houston Astros. The 35-year-old has compiled an extraordinary résumé since making his big-league debut in 2011, firmly establishing himself as one of baseball’s brightest and most consistent stars over the past decade and a half.

Brice Matthews News / MLB Trade Rumors / July 10