The Houston Astros made a flurry of roster moves Sunday, acquiring infielder Braden Shewmake from the New York Yankees in exchange for minor league right-hander Wilmy Sanchez, officially activating outfielder Dustin Harris, and placing Joey Loperfido on the 10-day injured list with a right quad strain.
Shewmake Acquired
The Shewmake trade gives the Astros another infield option while shortstop Jeremy Peña and Nick Allen—who left Friday’s game against the Cardinals with back spasms—are unavailable. A former first-round pick by the Atlanta Braves, Shewmake, 28, is regarded primarily as a defensive player. His bat has never fully materialized at the professional level, and he was designated for assignment by the Yankees in February before landing in their Triple-A system. He is slashing .250/.314/.313 in 36 plate appearances at Triple-A this season.
In exchange, Houston sent right-hander Wilmy Sanchez to New York. The 22-year-old Dominican Republic native is one of the more intriguing arms in the organization—he posted a 1.29 ERA across five outings at Double-A Corpus Christi this season and tied for second among Astros farmhands in saves last year. Control has been a persistent issue, but his strikeout numbers are eye-catching. It is a real piece to give up and a sign of how urgently the club needed an infield body.
With Peña sidelined, Carlos Correa has been handling shortstop duties, with Isaac Paredes sliding to third. Shewmake gives Espada another option to deploy as the club pieces together its infield on a nightly basis.
Harris Activated, Loperfido to IL
Harris was officially added to the major league roster Sunday, a day after being claimed off waivers from the Chicago White Sox. The 26-year-old left-handed hitter is out of minor league options and figures to see time in the corner outfield spots. Manager Joe Espada said Saturday that Harris is expected to play primarily the corners, praising his speed and left-handed bat.
Loperfido’s placement on the injured list was expected after he was removed from Friday’s game with quad tightness and underwent an MRI on Saturday. The outfielder had appeared in all but two of Houston’s games this season, splitting time in left field and center field.
Murray Recalled
To help cover the bullpen, the Astros also recalled right-hander Jayden Murray from Triple-A Sugar Land on Sunday. Murray, 28, is no stranger to the big league club—he debuted in 2025 and posted a 1.54 ERA in 11⅔ innings down the stretch, and had a brief stint with Houston earlier this month before being optioned back when Colton Gordon was called up. He has allowed just one earned run across six innings at Sugar Land to start 2026 and figures to slot into a middle relief role.
A Roster in Flux
Sunday’s moves underscore just how much roster management has defined Houston’s early 2026 season. Between the pitching injuries detailed in Saturday’s crisis piece and a growing list of position player absences, the front office has been working the phones constantly. Shewmake is organizational depth, not a savior, but depth is exactly what the Astros need right now as they try to stay afloat until their key players return.
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