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Tatsuya Imai, Two Relievers Combine to No-Hit the Rangers on Monday
Houston Astros right-hander Tatsuya Imai combined with relievers Steven Okert and rookie Alimber Santa to record baseball's first no-hitter of the 2026 season against the hosting Texas Rangers, and the first no-no since 2024, according to Brian McTaggart of MLB.com. Imai had the best performance of his MLB career, tossing six no-hit innings while walking four and striking out two to lower his still-bloated season ERA to 6.17. The no-hitter was the first in the big leagues since Chicago Cubs left-hander Shota Imanaga, Nate Pearson, and Porter Hodge combined to no-hit the Pittsburgh Pirates on Sept. 4 of 2024. It was the Astros' 18th no-hitter in franchise history, and their fifth combined no-hitter -- the first since Cristian Javier, Bryan Abreu, Rafael Montero, and Ryan Pressly did it in Game 4 of the 2022 World Series against the Philadelphia Phillies. Despite throwing six no-hit innings on Monday, Imai still walked four batters. Fantasy managers will probably want to see more before scooping him up off the waiver wire.
Source: MLB.com - Brian McTaggart
Source: MLB.com - Brian McTaggart
Josh Hader Targeting Early June Return, Astros Await Bullpen Boost
Houston Astros left-hander Josh Hader (biceps) is expected to return during the first week of June, according to general manager Dana Brown, as the veteran reliever continues recovering from left biceps tendinitis. Hader was transferred to the 60-day injured list on April 17 and has already made six rehab appearances in the minor leagues. The 31-year-old has yet to pitch for Houston this season, but he remains one of baseball's premier late-inning arms. Hader converted 28 of 29 save opportunities in 2025 while posting a 2.05 ERA and 76 strikeouts across 52 ⅔ innings. Assuming his rehab continues without setbacks, Hader should reclaim the closer role quickly and provide a major lift for Houston's bullpen.
Source: Brian McTaggart
Source: Brian McTaggart
Bryan King Earns Fifth Save, Remains Closer in Houston?
Houston Astros relief pitcher Bryan King was asked to work out of danger in the eighth inning of Friday's game against the Chicago Cubs. King entered the game with two on and two outs in the eighth inning. He was able to escape without any damage and tossed a perfect ninth inning to earn his fifth save of the season. Enyel De Los Santos and Bryan Abreu have been in the mix for saves as well, but it appears that King is the favorite right now. Josh Hader (biceps) is eligible to return from the Injured List soon. It doesn't sound like any of these relievers are going to have great long-term value. King is the reliever to roster in Houston until Hader reclaims the closer role.
Source: mlb.com
Source: mlb.com
Astros to Promote 16th-Ranked Prospect Alimber Santa to MLB Roster
The Houston Astros have called up right-handed relief pitcher Alimber Santa, the team's 16th-ranked prospect per MLB Pipeline, from Triple-A Sugar Land to the major-league roster, according to MLB insider Hector Gomez. The 23-year-old Dominican hurler got the call to the majors after going 4-2 with a 1.42 ERA, 0.89 WHIP, two saves, and a 24:7 K:BB in 19 relief innings at Sugar Land this year. It's unclear exactly what role Santa will have in the big-league bullpen, but the Astros are still without left-handed closer Josh Hader (biceps) and Bennett Sousa (elbow). Bryan Abreu got off to a rough start in 2026 as the preferred closing choice to begin the regular season, opening the door for Bryan King in the ninth inning. However, Abreu has bounced back of late and has recorded the team's last two saves, dating back to last Saturday. At best, Santa will most likely operate in a setup role in his big-league debut in Houston's bullpen.
Source: Hector Gomez
Source: Hector Gomez
Bryan Abreu Called on For One-Out Save, Worth Adding in Deeper Leagues
Houston Astros right-hander Bryan Abreu picked up his third save of the season on Tuesday, recording the final out in a 2-1 victory against the Minnesota Twins. Abreu worked around a hit batter and continued his strong stretch after a difficult start to the season. The 28-year-old has not allowed an earned run in May, lowering his ERA to 7.63 after early struggles inflated his numbers. Abreu now sits second on the Astros in saves behind Bryan King, who has four saves. In his eighth season with Houston, Abreu has already proven capable of dominant production and could continue earning more save opportunities if his recent momentum carries forward. Fantasy managers in deeper leagues searching for saves should continue monitoring Abreu as he trends in the right direction.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Bryan Abreu Earns Save, Ready to Reclaim Closer Job?
Houston Astros relief pitcher Bryan Abreu was asked to close down Saturday's game against the Texas Rangers. Abreu has struggled in the closer role this season, but put together a nice outing on Saturday. He tossed 1.1 scoreless innings while allowing one hit and a walk on his way to earn his second save of the season. Abreu could be back in the mix for saves, but will still need to compete with Bryan King and Enyel De Los Santos for saves. Also, Josh Hader (biceps) is hopefully going to be cleared to return from the 60-day Injured List soon. Abreu could be worth an add in deep leagues, but probably won't have long-term value.
Source: mlb.com
Source: mlb.com
Josh Hader Needs Five More Rehab Outings
The Athletic's Chandler Rome reports that Houston Astros left-handed closer Josh Hader (biceps) needs five more minor-league rehab outings, manager Joe Espada told Chandler Rome of The Athletic. Hader will not come off the 60-day injured list when he's first eligible on May 24, but it's only due to the calendar they have set for his final five rehab appearances. The hard-throwing southpaw reliever has already appeared in four rehab games with Triple-A Sugar Land and Double-A Corpus Christi, tossing four shutout innings with three hits allowed, one walk, and six strikeouts. We most likely won't see Hader make his debut until sometime in the final week of May or in early June, but that doesn't mean he shouldn't be stashed in most fantasy baseball leagues already. Once activated, the 32-year-old six-time All-Star should immediately slot back in as the Astros' primary closer. Bryan King has become the favorite for saves in Houston with Hader sidelined, although Bryan Abreu picked up his second save of the year in Saturday's win over the Texas Rangers. Hader is currently rostered in 88% of Yahoo leagues.
Source: The Athletic - Chandler Rome
Source: The Athletic - Chandler Rome
Josh Hader Throws Clean Inning in Rehab Outing at Double-A
Houston Astros left-handed closer Josh Hader (biceps) threw a scoreless inning with one hit allowed, no walks, and two strikeouts on Friday with Double-A Corpus Christi in his minor-league rehab outing. Hader has now made four rehab appearances on the farm and has not allowed a run while giving up three hits, walking one, and striking out six in four innings of work. The 32-year-old six-time All-Star has yet to pitch in the majors in 2026 due to left biceps tendinitis, but the veteran southpaw is getting closer to being activated from the 60-day injured list to rejoin Houston's bullpen. Hader won't officially be eligible for reinstatement from the IL until later this month, but barring a setback on his rehab assignment, he should be ready to return when he's eligible. Despite injury issues since last year, Hader should immediately take over as the Astros' primary ninth-inning arm, making him stash-worthy in all fantasy formats where he's currently available. He's currently rostered in 88% of Yahoo leagues. Until Hader returns, Bryan King should continue to get save opportunities in Houston.
Source: Milb.com
Source: Milb.com
Bryan King Tallies Five-Out Save on Friday, Emerging as Houston's No. 1 Closer?
Houston Astros left-hander Bryan King notched his fourth save of the season on Friday, working 1 2/3 scoreless innings without allowing a baserunner in his team's 2-0 win over the Texas Rangers. It was a nice bounce-back outing for King, who had blown a save in his most recent appearance on Wednesday against the Seattle Mariners. King has been steady overall this season for Houston, recording a 3.26 ERA and 1.34 WHIP with 16 strikeouts across 19 2/3 innings. While King's 19% strikeout rate is not in line with typical closer dominance, he appears to have seized the ninth-inning role in Houston with Astros closer Josh Hader (biceps) on the 60-day injured list due to a biceps injury. Hader could be close to making his return when first eligible in late May, so King's time as the closer in Houston may be short-lived. Still, King offers short-term value on the waiver wire for fantasy managers in desperate need of saves.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Bryan King Blows Second Save, in Danger of Losing Closer Job for Astros?
Houston Astros relief pitcher Bryan King let a one-run lead slip away on Wednesday night, and even though his team rallied to beat the Mariners, he may not be the go-to option for saves in Houston for long. He walked in the tying run and issued three free passes while also giving up an infield single. He escaped a bases-loaded jam, and Bryan Abreu worked a scoreless 10th inning to get the win. King's three walks were the first he allowed in six appearances, so hopefully the weaker command was an outlier. Both Abreu and Enyel De Los Santos pitched effectively in this game and would be the team's next options if it moves away from King. Top closer Josh Hader is continuing his rehab and should return in the next few weeks as well, which will likely take away any save chances that are available in the short term. King is a fine short-term hold in deep leagues, but his fantasy window is closing, especially if his control becomes an issue.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
