Grapefruit League Play Begins Today; Astros Open Saturday Against Nationals
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — Grapefruit League play begins across Florida today as all 15 teams open their exhibition schedules, signaling the unofficial start of baseball season. The Houston Astros will make their 2026 spring debut Saturday when they host…
Cristian Javier’s Comeback Could Be Key to Astros’ Rotation Puzzle
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — The Astros rebuilt their rotation this winter with an eye toward both the present and the future. They signed Japanese standout Tatsuya Imai and KBO veteran Ryan Weiss. They traded top prospects for right-hander Mike Burrows.…
When Will Astros Regulars Debut This Spring? Espada Outlines Plan
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — If you’re tuning in to the Astros’ first Grapefruit League games expecting to see the full Opening Day lineup, you may need to be patient. Manager Joe Espada plans to ease most of Houston’s established position players into…
Dezenzo Embraces Team Italy WBC Opportunity Despite Astros Roster Battle
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — When Zach Dezenzo received a call more than a year ago asking whether he’d consider representing Team Italy in the World Baseball Classic, he didn’t hesitate. Dezenzo, who has Italian heritage on his father’s side, remembered the…
Astros Banking on Mike Burrows’ “Red-Ass” Intensity to Anchor Rotation
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — Mike Burrows was throwing live batting practice Tuesday, the kind of easygoing early-spring session where hitters track pitches and pitchers sometimes chat between deliveries. Burrows wasn’t in a chatting mood. Manager Joe Espada…
Would Michael Conforto Actually Make Sense for the Astros?
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — The Astros have spent much of the offseason searching for a left-handed bat to balance an increasingly right-heavy lineup. Now, a familiar veteran name has surfaced. According to MLB.com’s Brian McTaggart, Houston has shown recent…
“Ohio? Ohayo!”: Astros Use Daily Word Board to Bridge Language Gaps in Camp
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — AJ Blubaugh wanted to connect with his new teammate. Tatsuya Imai, the star Japanese pitcher who signed with Houston in January, has an interpreter who follows him everywhere. But Blubaugh decided to try making contact directly.…
Astros Take a Chance on Rule 5 Pick Roddery Muñoz: “We Like Him a Lot”
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — The Astros broke an eight-year pattern in December when they selected right-hander Roddery Muñoz in the Rule 5 Draft, taking on one of baseball’s most restrictive roster gambles. Rule 5 selections come with a major condition: the…
Did Astros 2026 Giveaways Leak? What Was Spotted at Daikin Park
HOUSTON — The Houston Astros have not yet formally released their full 2026 promotional and giveaway calendar, but signage spotted at Daikin Park is already offering fans an early preview of theme nights, special events, and stadium giveaways for the…
Astros Adjust to Automated Strike Zone Challenges; Espada Wants Catchers in Control
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — As Major League Baseball introduces its automated ball-strike challenge system for the 2026 season, Astros manager Joe Espada is already setting the tone for how Houston plans to use it: let the catchers make the call. After years…
