RADIO
Josh Hader Dominating Again, Re-Establishing Himself as Elite Relief Arm
Houston Astros left-hander Josh Hader continues to dominate opposing hitters and lock down games from the Astros bullpen, delivering another scoreless inning on Tuesday while striking out two batters. Over his last six appearances, Hader has allowed no runs while striking out 10 batters. After missing the beginning of the season due to injury, the 32-year-old has quickly returned to the elite form that has made him one of baseball's premier relievers for years. Hader owns a 0.69 ERA and a 0.54 WHIP with 21 strikeouts across 13 innings. His elite 14.54 K/9 showcases his dominant pitch mix, with just one run allowed all season. Expectations are always high for Hader, but he has surpassed them and remains one of the top fantasy relief arms in baseball.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Cam Smith Continues to Leave the Yard, has Two-Homer Game Against Twins
Houston Astros outfielder Cam Smith continued his power binge in Monday night's 5-4 loss at home to the visiting Minnesota Twins at Daikin Park, going 2-for-4 at the plate with two solo home runs to raise his season batting average to .222 and his OPS to .685. The 23-year-old former 14th overall pick by the Chicago Cubs in 2024 out of Florida State University is batting only .222 (63-for-284) on the year with an on-base percentage under .300 and a strikeout rate of 25.3% in 85 games (320 plate appearances), but he has already set a new career high in home runs, and four of his last six hits have cleared the fences. It was good to see Smith flex his muscles again after missing Sunday's series finale against the Detroit Tigers due to a sore foot. Although there is a lot of swing and miss in Smith's game, his current xBA sits at .247, and he also has a .332 xwOBA (.294 wOBA), suggesting that positive regression is due in the second half of his sophomore campaign. Smith sits in the 71st percentile in hard-hit rate and the 80th percentile in barrel rate, so when he is making contact, it has been loud. Fantasy managers seeking power should consider Smith off the waiver wire, and he's widely available, as he's rostered in only 11% of Yahoo leagues.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Jeremy Pena Headed to Injured List With Mild Calf Strain
Houston Astros shortstop Jeremy Pena (calf) will head to the 10-day injured list with a mild left-calf strain, manager Joe Espada told Chandler Rome of The Athletic. Espada said it should be a "minimum stint" on the IL. The Astros held Pena out of their starting lineup in Monday's series opener against the visiting Minnesota Twins, and now we know why. The good news is that the 28-year-old Dominican's injury isn't serious, and he could be back on July 10, just before the All-Star break next month, to face the Texas Rangers. Until then, both Nick Allen and Brice Matthews could split time at the 6 in Houston. Pena will head to the sidelines sporting a strong .295/.356/.443 slash line, .799 OPS, six home runs, 21 RBI,34 runs scored, and eight stolen bases across his 183 at-bats. It's been a trying 2026 season injury-wise, but when healthy, Pena has been consistent for fantasy managers, and he deserves to be stashed in most leagues while he rehabs. Pena's underlying metrics have been solid as well, as he sports a 37.6% hard-hit rate, 4% barrel rate, .297 xBA, and .345 xwOBA.
Source: The Athletic - Chandler Rome
Source: The Athletic - Chandler Rome
Jeremy Pena Out on Monday With "Leg Discomfort"
Houston Astros shortstop Jeremy Pena (leg) is out of Monday's starting lineup for the series opener against the Minnesota Twins after reporting "left-leg soreness," manager Joe Espada told Chandler Rome of The Athletic. Pena is visiting with team doctors. With Pena out to begin the week, Nick Allen, who is back from the injured list, will start at the 6 and bat eighth for the Astros against Twins right-hander Zebby Matthews. Until we have more specifics on the 28-year-old Dominican's leg injury, fantasy managers should consider him day-to-day. The former third-round pick in 2018 out of the University of Maine has battled various injuries in 2026, but when available, he's been solid, slashing .295/.356/.443 with a .799 OPS, six home runs, 21 RBI, 34 runs scored, and eight stolen bases in 48 games and 202 plate appearances as the Astros' starting shortstop. Check back on Tuesday to see if Pena is ready to rejoin the action for Game 2 of the series at Daikin Park in Houston.
Source: The Athletic - Chandler Rome
Source: The Athletic - Chandler Rome
Cam Smith Exits Early During Saturday's Game
Houston Astros outfielder Cam Smith (foot) was unable to finish Saturday's game against the Detroit Tigers. Smith fouled a ball off his foot, but stayed in the game and actually homered during the at-bat. He attempted to stay in the game, but Smith was ultimately replaced by Joey Loperfido in the seventh inning. Before exiting, Smith went 1-for-3 with a home run and two RBI in the win over Detroit. It sounds like his exit was precautionary, and Smith should be available for Sunday's series finale. Fantasy managers should check back ahead of Sunday's game for another update.
Source: Chandler Rome
Source: Chandler Rome
Miguel Ullola Called Up to Majors
Houston Astros pitcher Miguel Ullola has been recalled to the big league roster on Saturday. Ullola will make his first trip to the big league roster in his career. As a starting pitcher, Ullola has struggled with a 6.21 ERA across 10 starts with Triple-A Sugar Land. They decided to shift him to the bullpen, which has turned out to be a good decision. Since moving to the bullpen, Ullola owns a 2.70 ERA with 16 strikeouts across 10 innings. The assumption is that he'll be used in the big league bullpen, which won't result in much fantasy value. Fantasy managers in deep leagues should keep Ullola on their radar in case he does end up in the rotation.
Source: Chandler Rome
Source: Chandler Rome
Tatsuya Imai a Priority Waiver-Wire Pickup After 10-K Outing
Houston Astros right-hander Tatsuya Imai's surface stats still look pretty shaky in his first year in the big leagues, but after a rough start to his first season in the States, the 28-year-old has looked more dominant of late and needs to attract interest on the waiver wire in fantasy baseball leagues. Imai was extremely hard to hit for the second straight outing in Thursday night's 2-1 win over the hosting Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park, tossing six shutout innings with only two hits allowed, one walk, and 10 strikeouts to drop his season ERA to 5.36. It was his fifth victory of the year. The Japanese native gave up five earned runs in just two-thirds of an inning on June 12 to the Kansas City Royals, but he has now fanned 21 hitters with only three runs allowed and one walk in 12 innings in his last two starts. Imai was sent to the injured list early in his MLB debut due to a dead arm, and while it hasn't been perfect since his return, he is definitely looking much more like the pitcher the Astros invested in over the offseason. He should be a popular waiver-wire pickup heading into his next scheduled start against the Minnesota Twins. Imai is rostered in 45% of Yahoo leagues.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Bryan Abreu Reinstated From Restricted List on Thursday
The Houston Astros reinstated right-handed reliever Bryan Abreu from the restricted list on Thursday and optioned pitcher Colton Gordon to Triple-A Sugar Land in a corresponding move, according to Chandler Rome of The Athletic. Abreu missed the team's series in Toronto this week against the Blue Jays due to a personal matter, but he will return to the back end of the bullpen on Thursday as the Astros start a new series in Motown against the Detroit Tigers. The 29-year-old Dominican hurler opened the 2026 season as the team's primary option at closer with left-hander Josh Hader on the injured list, but he squandered that opportunity and was quickly demoted after struggling early on. Abreu is currently 2-3 on the season with a 6.39 ERA (6.77 FIP), 1.82 WHIP, five saves, 33 strikeouts, and 24 walks in his 25 1/3 relief innings. Since allowing three earned runs to the Pittsburgh Pirates on June 2, Abreu has allowed just two runs (one earned) while walking one and striking out eight in six innings for two saves. With Hader back healthy, though, Abreu's fantasy stock has fallen once again. He's currently rostered in just 19% of Yahoo leagues.
Source: The Athletic - Chandler Rome
Source: The Athletic - Chandler Rome
Jeremy Pena Back From Hamstring Injury to Face Blue Jays
Houston Astros shortstop Jeremy Pena (hamstring) is back at shortstop and is batting third for Wednesday's tilt on the road against the Toronto Blue Jays and right-hander Trey Yesavage, according to MLB.com. Pena was pulled from the series opener on Monday in Canada with a cramp in his right hamstring and was held out of Tuesday's contest as a precaution. Now that he's back in there on Wednesday, fantasy managers will want to return him to their starting lineups in traditional formats. The 28-year-old Dominican has battled injuries in 2026, but when on the field, he's been money, slashing .284/.346/.451 with a .797 OPS, six home runs, 18 RBI, 29 runs scored, and seven stolen bases in 43 games across 179 plate appearances. Pena has been even better at the plate so far in June, going 21-for-70 (.300) with three long balls, five doubles, 10 RBI, 14 runs scored, and four stolen bases in 20 games for the Astros. He has never faced Yesavage in his MLB career.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Jeremy Pena Sitting Out Tuesday After Hamstring Cramp
Houston Astros shortstop Jeremy Pena (hamstring) is not in the starting lineup for Tuesday's game at the Toronto Blue Jays after suffering a right-hamstring cramp in Monday's series opener, according to MLB.com. Raynel Delgado will start at shortstop and will bat ninth for the Astros against Blue Jays veteran right-hander Shane Bieber (elbow), who is making his first start of the 2026 season. Manager Joe Espada said that Pena will be available off the bench on Tuesday, which means his hamstring injury isn't considered very serious. It sounds like Pena has a good shot to return to Houston's starting lineup on Wednesday. The Astros can ill-afford to lose Pena for any more time this year with Carlos Correa (ankle) already out for the season. The 28-year-old Dominican shortstop has only 161 at-bats so far in 2026 but is currently hitting a strong .286/.345/.453 with a .798 OPS, six home runs, 18 RBI, 29 runs, and seven stolen bases. Fantasy managers will want to check back on Wednesday to see if he's ready to return to action.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Jeremy Pena Dealing With Hamstring Cramp
Houston Astros shortstop Jeremy Pena (hamstring) was pulled from Monday's game early against the Toronto Blue Jays with a cramp in his right hamstring, the team announced. Before leaving the contest, Pena was 1-for-2 at the plate with a run scored as the Astros' leadoff hitter. Raynel Delgado moved from third base to shortstop to fill in for Pena to finish out the 4-2 loss to Toronto at the Rogers Centre. Carlos Correa (ankle) is out for the season, and Nick Allen (hamstring) is also on the injured list, so if the 28-year-old Pena misses more time with his hamstring injury, the Astros' infield depth will be tested. It doesn't sound like a very serious injury for Pena, though, and he should be considered day-to-day for now. Check back later on Tuesday to see if he's available to return to the starting nine as the series in Toronto against the Jays continues. Pena has missed time with injuries already this year, but he's hitting a strong .286/.345/.453 with a .798 OPS, six homers, 18 RBI, seven steals, and 29 runs scored in his 42 games across 177 plate appearances.
Source: Houston Astros
Source: Houston Astros
Yordan Alvarez Won't Take Part in Home Run Derby
Houston Astros outfielder Yordan Alvarez, the front-runner for MVP in the American League this year, said he will not participate in this year's Home Run Derby. "I'm still open," Alvarez said on Sunday, "but not this year." Alvarez hit his 25th home run of the year in Sunday's 2-1 win over the visiting Cleveland Guardians at Daikin Park, and he trails only Philadelphia Phillies slugger Kyle Schwarber for the major-league home run lead. Alvarez had an invitation to take part in the 2022 Home Run Derby at Dodger Stadium, but he went on the injured list with a right-hand injury right before the All-Star break. He also missed the 2023 All-Star game due to an oblique injury. The Astros haven't had a competitor in the Home Run Derby since third baseman Alex Bregman did it in both 2018 and 2019. Alvarez is set to compete in his fourth career All-Star game next month in Philly. He's currently slashing .322/.428/.640, and his 1.068 OPS and .640 slugging percentage lead all of baseball. After an injury-plagued 2025 campaign that limited him to only 48 games, the former AL Rookie of the Year has bounced back in a huge way in 2026.
Source: The Athletic - Chandler Rome
Source: The Athletic - Chandler Rome
Astros Place Reliever Bryan Abreu on the Restricted List
The Houston Astros announced on Monday that they placed right-handed reliever Bryan Abreu on the restricted list and recalled right-hander Logan VanWey from Triple-A Sugar Land in a corresponding move. It's unclear exactly why Abreu has landed on the restricted list, but it could be due to visa issues with the team playing in Toronto for a series this week. If the 29-year-old Dominican is dealing with a visa issue, we probably won't see him back with the team until their series opener on Thursday versus the Detroit Tigers. Abreu had a shot to lock down the team's closer duties to begin the 2026 season with left-hander Josh Hader on the injured list, but he got off to a rough start and is currently carrying a 6.39 ERA (6.78 OPS), 1.82 WHIP, five saves, 33 strikeouts, and 24 walks in 25 1/3 innings out of the bullpen this year for the Astros. Now that Hader is back from his biceps injury and locked in as the team's unquestioned closer, Abreu is less attractive in fantasy baseball. He's currently rostered in only 22% of Yahoo leagues.
Source: Houston Astros
Source: Houston Astros
Mike Burrows To Start Against Blue Jays on Wednesday
Houston Astros right-hander Mike Burrows is scheduled to make the start in Wednesday's series finale against the Toronto Blue Jays, according to Chandler Rome of The Athletic. Burrows was moved to a relief role over the weekend and threw a scoreless inning out of the bullpen on Friday against the Cleveland Guardians. The 26-year-old will return to start this week against Toronto, but he might be heading right back to the bullpen after that, so fantasy managers in deeper leagues won't necessarily want to jump on board. In his 15 appearances (14 starts) for the Astros in 2026 in his first year with the team, Burrows has struggled to the tune of a 3-8 record, 5.79 ERA (5.64 FIP), and 1.58 WHIP with 66 strikeouts and 30 walks in 79 1/3 innings pitched. He has allowed a league-high 51 earned runs and will be a volatile streaming option for fantasy managers on Wednesday, even in a good matchup against the Blue Jays. Toronto ranks just 23rd in the league in OPS (.703), but they also have the second-fewest strikeouts in the league (562).
Source: The Athletic - Chandler Rome
Source: The Athletic - Chandler Rome
Tatsuya Imai Bounces Back With Career-High 11 Strikeouts on Friday
Houston Astros right-hander Tatsuya Imai got off to a rough start to his first year in the United States and landed on the injured list with a dead arm. The 28-year-old Japanese native entered his start on Friday night at Daikin Park against the Cleveland Guardians with an ugly 6.43 ERA (5.24 FIP) and 1.51 WHIP with 37 strikeouts and 24 walks in 35 innings over his first nine starts and looking to rebound after giving up five earned runs on four hits while walking one and striking out one in just two-thirds of an inning his last time out on June 12 against the Kansas City Royals. He did just that on Friday night, picking up his fourth win of 2026 by giving up three earned runs on six hits (one homer) while walking none and striking out a career-high 11 batters in six innings pitched. It was only the second time in his first 10 MLB outings that he didn't allow a walk, and Imai did most of his damage against Cleveland with his nasty slider. Imai's ERA still sits above 6.00, but he has now recorded three quality starts in his last five outings and looks to be turning a corner as we near the All-Star break next month.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
