The Houston Astros entered May with a crowded injured list and but a few cautiously encouraging updates.
Tatsuya Imai will make a second minor-league rehab start early next week before the Astros consider reinstating him. His first outing Tuesday at Double-A Corpus Christi was rough—two innings, five runs, six hits, three walks—but manager Joe Espada offered some perspective afterward. “Stuff-wise, the arm fatigue was not present,” Espada said. “Performance wasn’t great. But at least we checked the box of he did look healthy.” Espada said the Astros are not concerned about Imai’s health but want to make sure the poor outing does not carry over into his next start.
Jeremy Peña, out since April 11 with a Grade 1 right hamstring strain, traveled with the team to Baltimore this week and said he feels “stronger.” He has been running, hitting, throwing, and taking ground balls, with sprints representing his biggest recent progression. A timeline for his return remains unclear, and a minor-league rehab assignment has not yet been discussed. “We don’t really have anything set in stone,” Peña said. Espada said the All-Star shortstop appears “close to getting on the field.”
Cody Bolton was reinstated from the 15-day injured list Thursday ahead of the doubleheader in Baltimore. Bolton had been sidelined with mid-back inflammation after being struck by a line drive in his April 6 start in Colorado. He appeared in relief during Thursday’s games and figures to give the Astros additional long relief depth going forward.
Ryan Weiss is on the paternity list and is expected to rejoin the team when the Astros open their series in Boston. A player may spend up to three days on the paternity list.
Zach Dezenzo and Nate Pearson are both on rehab assignments at Double-A Corpus Christi. Dezenzo, recovering from a right elbow sprain suffered during the World Baseball Classic, was sent down April 28. Pearson, who underwent an elbow procedure in the offseason, began his rehab assignment April 29.
Hunter Brown, Cristian Javier, and Josh Hader remain on the injured list. Brown is recovering from a Grade 2 right shoulder strain and could return in June. Javier was recently moved to the 60-day IL with his own shoulder issues. Hader has yet to throw a pitch this season.
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