RADIO
Jeremy Pena Not in Astros' Lineup on Wednesday
Houston Astros shortstop Jeremy Pena (wrist) is not in the starting lineup for Wednesday's game on the road against the division-rival Seattle Mariners, per MLB.com. Nick Allen is getting the start at shortstop and will hit ninth against Mariners right-hander George Kirby. Pena was pulled late in Tuesday's contest against the Mariners after he was hit by a pitch on his right wrist earlier in the game. It is unclear if X-rays came back negative for the 29-year-old, so for now, fantasy managers should consider him day-to-day. Check back to see if Pena is available to return for Thursday's series opener against the division-rival Athletics in Sacramento. It is bad timing for the Astros for Pena to be dinged up with the Astros battling the Texas Rangers for the American League West division with just five games left to play. Pena has been great for Houston when he has been healthy in 2026, hitting .275/.325/.469 with 20 home runs, 51 RBI, 77 runs scored, and 10 stolen bases in 426 at-bats. Hopefully, he will be ready for the final series of the regular season this weekend in Sacramento.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Cristian Javier Exits Start on Tuesday with Right-Groin Tightness
Houston Astros starting pitcher Cristian Javier (groin) exited his start on Tuesday against the Seattle Mariners with right groin tightness, per Chandler Rome of The Athletic. The right-hander allowed a hit and two walks while striking out two across two scoreless innings before being pulled from the game. While the severity of Javier's injury is not yet clear, it could put his availability for the remainder of the season in jeopardy. Across 63 innings in 2026, Javier has recorded a 2-6 record with a 5.14 ERA, 1.46 WHIP, and 59 strikeouts. The early portion of the 29-year-old's season was wiped out by a shoulder injury, and he struggled upon his immediate return from the injury in early July. However, Javier has been much better of late, pitching to a 1.96 ERA across 18 1/3 innings in September. Fantasy managers should check back for updates on Javier ahead of his next scheduled start on Sunday against the Athletics.
Source: The Athletic - Chandler Rome
Source: The Athletic - Chandler Rome
Jeremy Pena Suffers Wrist Injury on Tuesday
Houston Astros shortstop Jeremy Pena (wrist) was hit on the right wrist with a 96.4 mph sinker in Tuesday's game against the Seattle Mariners and was removed in the eighth inning, according to Chandler Rome of The Athletic. Pena attempted to stay in the contest, but he was eventually replaced by Nick Allen at shortstop after going 1-for-4 at the plate with two runs scored and two strikeouts. The Astros likely sent Pena for X-rays, and we will pass along the results when we have them. Fantasy managers will want to check back later to see if the Astros' starting shortstop will be available for Wednesday's game in Seattle against the Mariners. Losing Pena for the rest of the final week of the 2026 regular season would be a huge blow, with the Astros going into Wednesday's action tied for first in the American League West with the Texas Rangers. The 29-year-old Pena has missed time this year due to various injuries, but he has been solid when healthy, slashing .275/.325/.469 with a .795 OPS, 20 home runs, 51 RBI, 77 runs scored, and 10 stolen bases in 107 games across 461 plate appearances.
Source: The Athletic - Chandler Rome
Source: The Athletic - Chandler Rome
Carlos Correa Won't Return This Season
Houston Astros infielder Carlos Correa (ankle) will not return to the team this season, manager Joe Espada told Chandler Rome of The Athletic. It is not in the cards for Correa to return for a playoff run with the Astros after he had surgery on his ankle back in May. The 31-year-old former American League Rookie of the Year and three-time All-Star ended up playing in just 32 games (141 plate appearances) in his first full season back with the team in 2026 after he was traded back to the Astros from the Minnesota Twins last year. In his 32 games this season, Correa slashed a solid .279/.369/.418, but with only three home runs, 16 RBI, 22 runs scored, and a stolen base in his 12th year in the league. The veteran infielder is only rostered in 9% of Yahoo leagues, but the news that he will not return again in 2026 will limit the Astros' options on the infield going into the postseason. As long as Correa does not suffer a setback with his ankle in the offseason, he should be a full-go for spring training in 2027 if there is no lockout.
Source: The Athletic - Chandler Rome
Source: The Athletic - Chandler Rome
Carlos Correa to Rejoin Astros on Next Homestand
Houston Astros manager Joe Espada said that the team would like veteran infielder Carlos Correa (ankle) to play "a game or two" for Triple-A Sugar Land this week before he is activated from the 60-day injured list, according to Chandler Rome of The Athletic. It is the last week of the Triple-A regular season. Correa is scheduled to rejoin the Astros during their next homestand and visit doctors before determining the next step. The Astros begin a homestand on Tuesday against the Kansas City Royals, and it runs through Sunday, Sept. 20, in the series finale against the Atlanta Braves. When Correa is ready to return, the Astros are considering using him at second base, which would allow Jose Altuve to get off his feet and serve as the designated hitter. In his first full season in Houston since 2021, Correa has hit .279/.369/.418 with a .787 OPS, only three home runs, 16 RBI, 22 runs scored, and a stolen base in 32 games played due to injuries. Fantasy managers still playing for something should not be looking to pick Correa up this week upon his return. He is currently rostered in just 10% of Yahoo leagues.
Source: The Athletic - Chandler Rome
Source: The Athletic - Chandler Rome
Yordan Alvarez is Hopeful to Play on Sunday
According to Chandler Rome, Houston Astros manager Joe Espada said the team is hopeful that outfielder Yordan Alvarez (ankle) will be back in the lineup for Sunday's game against the Tampa Bay Rays. Alvarez missed his second straight game on Saturday after sustaining an ankle injury during Thursday's contest. It sounds like a minor issue that isn't going to require Alvarez to land on the Injured List. Fantasy managers will need to check back ahead of the first pitch for another update on Alvarez. Yainer Diaz served as the designated hitter during Saturday's loss to the Tampa Bay Rays. The expectation is that Diaz would remain there if Alvarez is unable to play.
Source: Chandler Rome
Source: Chandler Rome
Astros Considering Moving Carlos Correa to Second Base
According to Ken Rosenthal, the Houston Astros are considering moving third baseman Carlos Correa (ankle) over to second base. Correa has been sidelined since undergoing left ankle surgery in mid-May. The organization is hopeful that Correa will be able to return for the final week of the regular season. He has been playing third base in Houston, but the Astros would like to shift him over to second base. If Correa plays second base, Jose Altuve can serve as the designated hitter. Most fantasy leagues might end before Correa gets back to the field. If not, Correa could be worth stashing in deep leagues for the final stretch of the season.
Source: New York Times
Source: New York Times
Yordan Alvarez Out Again With Ankle Injury
Houston Astros outfielder Yordan Alvarez (ankle) is out of the team's starting lineup for Saturday's game on the road against the Tampa Bay Rays, according to MLB.com. Catcher Yandy Diaz will serve as the designated hitter and bat cleanup, with Christian Vazquez doing the catching for right-hander Peter Lambert and hitting ninth against Rays left-hander Ian Seymour. The Astros are labeling Alvarez as day-to-day for now after he was also held out of Friday's series opener in Tampa with a right-ankle injury. Houston cannot afford to be without the MVP front-runner in the American League down the stretch, so they could play it safe with the 29-year-old left-handed slugger and keep him out for the entire series on the turf in Tampa this weekend. Fantasy managers should check back on Sunday to see if he is active. Alvarez, a four-time All-Star and former AL Rookie of the Year, has been arguably the best overall hitter in all of baseball in 2026, leading the league in walks (100), batting average (.310), on-base percentage (.427), slugging percentage (.590), OPS (1.017), and total bases (308) in 145 games played in his eighth year in the majors.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Yordan Alvarez Out With Ankle Injury
Houston Astros outfielder Yordan Alvarez (ankle) is out of the starting lineup on Friday night against the Tampa Bay Rays due to a right-ankle injury, manager Joe Espada told Chandler Rome of The Athletic. Alvarez hit in the batting cages before the game and will do some work on the field in hopes that he could be available off the bench. If Alvarez feels good after his pre-game workout, he could be available off the bench and then start in the second game of the series on Saturday. For now, fantasy managers should consider the MVP front-runner in the American League to be day-to-day. Second baseman Jose Altuve is serving as the designated hitter on Friday and batting leadoff, with Nick Allen at the keystone and hitting ninth against Rays right-hander Drew Rasmussen. Alvarez's ankle injury could help explain why he has gone just 7-for-33 in nine games so far in September. The 29-year-old Cuban slugger has still had a phenomenal 2026 campaign, hitting .310/.427/.590 with a 1.017 OPS, 38 homers, 96 RBI, 95 runs scored, and a stolen base in 522 at-bats.
Source: The Athletic - Chandler Rome
Source: The Athletic - Chandler Rome
Jason Schiavone Moving Up to Triple-A Sugar Land
Houston Astros catcher/first base prospect Jason Schiavone has been promoted to Triple-A for the remainder of the 2026 season. The Astros' sixth-ranked prospect started the year at High-A, powering his way to Double-A after just 35 games (17 home runs, 1.218 OPS). The JMU product saw his batting average dip to just .233 at the higher level, but he continued to display his trademark power (14 home runs) and ability to draw walks (14.5 percent) during his 79-game tenure there. A 33.0 percent strikeout rate is concerning, though, so it is worth keeping an eye on at Triple-A. The 6-foot-1 backstop moves well for a catcher, having swiped 29 bags this season in 114 total games, and could make quick work of Triple-A next year if he can continue to produce home runs and keep the strikeouts to a palatable level. With a rare power/speed combination for a catcher, there is some fantasy intrigue here, though he's not yet a must-stash in dynasty leagues.
Source: Sugar Land Space Cowboys
Source: Sugar Land Space Cowboys
Hayden Wesneski Emerging as a High-End Starting Pitcher Streamer
Houston Astros starting pitcher Hayden Wesneski picked up his fifth win of the season on Tuesday, allowing three earned runs while striking out three across six innings of work in his team's 6-5 win over the Philadelphia Phillies. Wesneski missed the first half of the 2026 season while recovering from Tommy John surgery. However, the 28-year-old has been effective since returning to the Astros rotation in late July. Across 45 2/3 innings (eight starts), Wesneski has recorded a 5-1 record with a 3.35 ERA, 1.04 WHIP, and 36 strikeouts. Including his outing against Philadelphia on Tuesday, the right-hander has logged four consecutive starts of at least five innings pitched and three or fewer earned runs allowed. Wesneski profiles as a priority streamer option for fantasy managers ahead of his next scheduled start at Tropicana Field against the Rays on Sunday.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Josh Hader Records 20th Save, Continues Excellent Season
There were reasons to be skeptical going into the 2026 season that Houston Astros veteran left-handed closer Josh Hader might be fading as a top-tier fantasy closer. The 32-year-old veteran southpaw got a late start to his season due to left-shoulder issues, but once he put that in the rearview mirror, he has not looked back. The six-time All-Star threw a perfect inning in Friday's 3-1 win over the New York Mets at Citi Field with two strikeouts to pick up his 20th save of the season. In his 10th year in the big leagues (third with the Astros), Hader has been electric, going 4-1 with a 0.76 ERA (1.67 FIP) and 0.68 WHIP with 48 strikeouts and 11 walks in 35 1/3 innings pitched out of the bullpen. Hader has yet to blow a save in 2026, with his last blown save dating all the way back to July 12 of 2025. Since the All-Star break, he has allowed just one earned run on seven hits while walking three and striking out 23 in 20 innings for a win and 10 saves. Hader has allowed a run in just three of his 36 appearances this year and has been reliable as ever.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Jeremy Pena Active After Injury Scare on Thursday Night
Houston Astros shortstop Jeremy Pena (hand) is starting at the 6 and batting leadoff for Friday's series opener on the road against the New York Mets and right-hander Christian Scott at Citi Field, per MLB.com. Pena was hit on the left hand by a pitch in the series finale on Thursday against the New York Yankees, but he stayed in the game and even hit a home run. After X-rays came back negative, he is back in the starting nine to kick off a series in Queens against the Mets. Fantasy managers will want to keep the 28-year-old Dominican infielder in their starting lineups. He has played in only 84 games (363 plate appearances) in 2026 due to various injuries, but Pena is slashing a strong .282/.336/.477 with an .814 OPS, 16 home runs, 44 RBI, 65 runs scored, and eight stolen bases. Although Pena has two homers in his last three games, he's batting .184 (16-for-87) with four homers, four doubles, a triple, 10 RBI, 14 runs, four walks, and 31 strikeouts in 21 games in August. He has never faced Scott in his MLB career.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Yordan Alvarez Keeps Mashing the Ball
Houston Astros designated hitter Yordan Alvarez has been posting unbelievable numbers at the plate this season. Through 132 games, Alvarez is slashing .319/.434/.609 with a league-leading 36 home runs and 91 RBI. His overall power numbers have declined lately, with only one long ball over the last month. Fantasy managers are hopeful that his power comes back soon, with the fantasy playoffs quickly approaching. Despite a lack of homers in August, Alvarez is still the MVP favorite in the American League and remains a great source of production in basically every other category right now.
Source: Baseball Reference
Source: Baseball Reference
X-Rays Negative on Jeremy Pena's Hand After Hit-by-Pitch
Post-game X-rays on Houston Astros shortstop Jeremy Pena's left hand were negative, according to Chandler Rome of The Athletic. Pena was hit on the knuckle of both his pinkie and ring finger with a 96 mph fastball from New York Yankees right-hander Gerrit Cole in the top of the third inning on Friday night in the team's 5-1 win in the Bronx. Pena actually stayed in the game and went 1-for-4 at the plate with his 16th home run of the season, two RBI, and two strikeouts out of the leadoff spot for Houston. Fantasy managers should consider Pena day-to-day. Check back on Friday to see if the Astros give him a day off in the series opener in Queens against the New York Mets. The 28-year-old Dominican has been beat up by various injuries in 2026, but when active, he's been a solid fantasy shortstop, as he entered Thursday's tilt with a .283/.335/.471 slash line, .806 OPS, 15 homers, 43 RBI, 63 runs scored, and eight stolen bases across his 392 at-bats in his fifth year in the majors. Pena has now gone deep in two of his last three games.
Source: The Athletic - Chandler Rome
Source: The Athletic - Chandler Rome
