WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — The Houston Astros will open their 2026 spring training schedule Saturday against the Washington Nationals with left-hander Colton Gordon on the mound, manager Joe Espada announced Tuesday.
The game at CACTI Park of the Palm Beaches, which the Astros and Nationals share as their spring home, will officially have Houston listed as the visiting team despite the familiar surroundings.
Gordon, 25, made his major league debut in 2025 and logged 86 innings across 14 starts for the Astros, posting a 5.34 ERA as a rookie. While those numbers don’t jump off the page, Gordon worked the second-most innings among returning Astros pitchers last season, trailing only Hunter Brown.
The left-hander’s role for 2026 remains somewhat uncertain. Houston’s offseason additions of starters Tatsuya Imai, Mike Burrows and Ryan Weiss have created a crowded picture at the top of the organization. Brown, Cristian Javier, Imai and Burrows appear locked into rotation spots, with the Astros expected to operate with a six-man rotation to start the season as they navigate 26 games in their first 28 days.
That leaves at least two rotation spots—and potentially more depth roles—up for grabs in camp. Gordon will compete alongside veterans Lance McCullers Jr. and Spencer Arrighetti, among others, though he’s likely to begin the season as Triple-A rotation depth given Houston’s influx of pitching talent.
The Astros ramped up their spring preparation Tuesday with live batting practice sessions on the back fields. Brown, who already faced hitters Monday, was followed Tuesday by Burrows, McCullers, Arrighetti and Weiss, all taking turns throwing to Astros hitters as they build arm strength and refine mechanics.
Saturday’s opener will mark the first game action for the Astros since their disappointing 2025 campaign ended with an 83-79 record and a playoff miss—snapping a seven-year postseason streak. With significant roster changes and renewed expectations, the exhibition schedule offers an early look at how Houston’s revamped pitching staff will take shape.
How to Watch & Listen
First pitch is scheduled for 12:05 p.m. CT. Broadcast details and full game listings are available on our Houston Astros 2026 Spring Training Schedule page.