Could AJ Blubaugh Become the Astros’ Most Valuable Pitcher in 2026?
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — The Astros’ six-man rotation isn’t just a pitching strategy. It’s a roster stress test. Houston plans to open the season with six starters to navigate 26 games in 28 days. That protects arms. It also thins the bullpen. With…
MLB’s New Coaching Box Rule Forces Perezchica to Adjust
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — Tony Perezchica has spent years working angles at third base, adjusting his positioning to read caroms, track outfielders, and avoid screaming line drives. This spring, those angles are shrinking. Major League Baseball’s new rule…
Astros Lose Versatile Infielder Ramón Urías to Cardinals
The Houston Astros’ infield depth shifted Saturday when free agent Ramón Urías agreed to a one-year deal with the St. Louis Cardinals. MLB insider Ken Rosenthal first reported the agreement: a $2 million contract that includes $1.5 million guaranteed in…
Inside the Astros’ Plan for MLB’s New ABS Challenge System
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — José Altuve took the first pitch he saw from Hunter Brown during live batting practice Friday and immediately tapped his helmet, signaling a challenge under Major League Baseball’s new automated ball-strike (ABS) challenge system.…
Tatsuya Imai’s First Live BP Session Leaves Astros Hitters Stunned: “Never Seen a Pitch Like That”
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — Tatsuya Imai didn’t ease into his first live batting practice as a member of the Houston Astros. He attacked it. The Japanese right-hander, who signed with Houston earlier this offseason, faced major league hitters Friday…
Carlos Correa’s Leadership Shows, Not Tells, for Astros
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — Three weeks doesn’t seem like enough time to earn the right to call out your teammates. Especially when you’ve been gone for 3½ years. Carlos Correa didn’t see it that way. After the Astros suffered their third straight shutout…
Paredes Celebrates Engagement as Astros Roster Questions Linger
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — Isaac Paredes has at least one thing settled this spring: He’s getting married. The Astros infielder announced his engagement to Paulina Quiroz this week during a beach getaway, sharing the news on Instagram. The couple is also…
Astros Sign Corner Infielder CJ Alexander to Minor League Deal
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — The Astros continued building organizational depth this week, signing corner infielder CJ Alexander to a minor league contract. The 29-year-old is expected to report to Triple-A Sugar Land as Houston fortifies its roster heading…
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.…
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…