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Albert Pujols to Interview for Astros' Managerial Job
Future Hall of Fame first baseman Albert Pujols will interview for the Houston Astros' managerial vacancy on Thursday, sources told Alden Gonzalez of ESPN. The Astros named former St. Louis Cardinals executive Randy Flores as their new general manager five days ago. Flores spent eight years in the big leagues before joining St. Louis' front office, with five of those years spent as Pujols' teammate in St. Louis, including a World Series championship in 2006. Pujols has made it clear that he has a desire to manage in the big leagues, and he won a championship in the Dominican winter league in his first season leading the Leones del Escogido in January of 2025 while also serving as the skipper for the Dominican Republic in this year's World Baseball Classic, where his squad lost to the United States in the semifinals. Pujols was a finalist for the managerial openings in the last hiring cycle with the Los Angeles Angels and San Diego Padres. New York Yankees bench coach Brad Ausmus is also among those being considered by the Astros for their managerial position.
Source: ESPN.com - Alden Gonzalez
Source: ESPN.com - Alden Gonzalez
Mike Rizzo Interviewing For Astros General Manager Job
Former Washington Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo is interviewing for the vacant Houston Astros general manager role, according to Bob Nightengale of USA Today. As general manager of the Nationals, Rizzo built up the franchise and led Washington to its first-ever World Series title in 2019, defeating the Houston Astros. Rizzo and manager Dave Martinez were fired in 2025, ending Rizzo's 19-year tenure with the franchise. Rizzo was considered for the Athletics job in a similar role this offseason, but withdrew his name from consideration to focus on the Astros position, according to Nightengale.
Source: Bob Nightengale, USA Today
Source: Bob Nightengale, USA Today
Joe Espada Will Not Return as Astros Manager in 2027
The Houston Astros announced on Wednesday that Joe Espada will not return as the team's manager in 2027. Espada took over in Houston in 2024 and led the Astros to a 256-229 record across his three years at the helm. The Astros won two American League West division crowns under Espada, but failed to win a single postseason game. Houston has also gotten progressively worse over the last three seasons, winning 88 games in 2024, 87 games in 2025, and 81 games this past season. Espada has already met with the Seattle Mariners about their managerial vacancy, so he could remain in the AL West.
Source: The Athletic - Chandler Rome
Source: The Athletic - Chandler Rome
AJ Blubaugh Set to Open Game 1 of AL Wild-Card Series for Astros
Houston Astros right-hander AJ Blubaugh will be the opener in a projected bullpen game in Game 1 of his team's American League Wild Card Series matchup against the Chicago White Sox, per Chandler Rome of The Athletic. Blubaugh was effective in a multi-inning relief role for the Astros this year, recording a 5-3 record with a 3.66 ERA, 1.23 WHIP, and 94 strikeouts across 96 innings (64 games). Because Houston did not clinch the American League West title until the final day of the regular season, ace Hunter Brown will likely get the ball for Game 2 of the Wild Card Series on Wednesday. As a result, the team will be hoping Blubaugh can get them through at least an inning or two to begin the game on Tuesday.
Source: The Athletic - Chandler Rome
Source: The Athletic - Chandler Rome
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
Bryan Abreu Continues to See Fantasy Value Increase Amid Impressive Stretch
Houston Astros right-handed reliever Bryan Abreu got off to a rough start to the 2026 campaign when Josh Hader was still on the injured list, but he has been locked in of late and could be a waiver-wire consideration in deeper fantasy leagues. In the team's 7-4 win over the division-rival Los Angeles Angels on Wednesday, Abreu pitched 1 1/3 shutout innings with no hits allowed, no walks, and a strikeout to pick up his seventh save of the year. The 29-year-old Dominican hurler is 2-3 on the year with a still elevated 4.74 ERA (5.43 FIP) and 1.50 WHIP with 48 strikeouts and 28 walks in 38 innings out of the bullpen. This was Abreu's second save since the All-Star break, but he was only in there because Hader had pitched in four of the previous five days. Still, Abreu has been much better in July, allowing just two earned runs with three walks and 14 strikeouts in 11 innings pitched, and he will definitely be an asset in holds leagues if he continues to pitch like this. Abreu is rostered in 18% of Yahoo leagues.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
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
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
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
Josh Hader Perfect in First Save, Immediately Holding Elite Fantasy Upside
Houston Astros relief pitcher Josh Hader made his long-awaited season debut on Wednesday after dealing with shoulder and biceps issues through the first two months of the season. Hader stepped right back into his closer role for Houston and worked a hitless ninth inning for a save against the Pirates. He did walk a batter and also picked up a strikeout to preserve the 11-9 victory. Hader had a 4.15 ERA in his nine rehab appearances with 11 strikeouts in 8 2/3 innings. His stuff looked sharp on Wednesday, and he'll take back over as the primary closer, leaving Bryan King, Enyel De Los Santos, and Bryan Abreu without much fantasy value in standard leagues. For as long as he's healthy, Hader has plenty of upside and can be counted on as an elite closer now that he's back.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Bryan King Losing Fantasy Value in Setup Role?
Houston Astros left-handed reliever Bryan King became fantasy relevant early in the 2026 season with left-handed closer Josh Hader (biceps) on the injured list and righty Bryan Abreu struggling early on in the closer's role for the team. King, a 30th-round pick by the Chicago Cubs back in 2019 out of McNeese State University, has been solid for Houston with a 2.84 ERA (3.64 FIP), 1.30 WHIP, a team-high six saves, 19 strikeouts, and 10 walks in his 25 1/3 innings out of the bullpen in just his third year in the majors. King, Abreu, Enyel De Los Santos, and Steven Okert will still have valuable roles in the back end of Houston's bullpen while the team eases Hader back into the fold. However, King will now lose a lot of his fantasy value moving forward as long as Hader remains healthy as the team's primary option in the ninth inning. King is currently rostered in 17% of Yahoo leagues and might not see many save opportunities the rest of the way.
Source: The Athletic - Chandler Rome
Source: The Athletic - Chandler Rome
Josh Hader Set to Return from Injured List on Tuesday
Houston Astros closer Josh Hader (biceps) is being activated off the injured list on Tuesday, manager Joe Espada confirmed. Hader had been sidelined since before Opening Day with left biceps tendinitis (he also dealt with shoulder issues late last season). He's progressed through his rehab without setbacks and is now ready to rejoin the big-league bullpen. While the Astros are expected to be cautious with his workload in the early going, Hader should quickly settle back into his role as the primary closer. For fantasy managers, this is a significant boost in saves leagues, especially if you've been streaming or holding onto a committee. Keep an eye on his first few appearances to see how the Astros deploy him, as they may slightly monitor his usage. With Hader set to return, fantasy managers should expect Bryan King, Enyel De Los Santos, and Bryan Abreu to operate as the primary setup options.
Source: Chandler Rome
Source: Chandler Rome
Enyel De Los Santos Sharp in Five-Out Save, Back on the Closer Radar?
Houston Astros relief pitcher Enyel De Los Santos closed out his team's one-run win over the Rangers on Wednesday in dominant fashion. De Los Santos came into the game with one out in the eighth inning and retired all five batters he faced, including strikeouts to end both the eighth and ninth innings. De Los Santos has 21 strikeouts in his 22 2/3 innings with a 3.57 ERA, 2.32 FIP, and 1.01 WHIP to go with his four saves on the year. It was his first save since April 22, but he could get more chances in the next few games before Josh Hader (biceps) joins the bullpen. Hader is nearing the end of his rehab and could be back as early as next week, but if you need short-term bullpen help, De Los Santos was impressive enough to be a short-term pickup until Hader returns.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Josh Hader Set to Return to the Astros Following Final Rehab Outing on Thursday
Houston Astros closer Josh Hader (biceps) is set to make his final rehab appearances with Triple-A Sugar Land on Wednesday and Thursday before returning to the big leagues, per Chandler Rome of The Athletic. Hader is currently on the 60-day injured list and has yet to pitch for Houston in 2026 as he works his way back from left biceps tendinitis. However, Hader has dominated in the minor leagues during his rehab outing, entering Wednesday with a 1.29 ERA and 11 strikeouts across seven innings pitched. The veteran left-hander was one of the best closers in baseball in 2025, recording 28 saves in 29 chances and striking out 36.9% of the batters he faced. Upon his return, Hader profiles as a must-start fantasy closer across all league formats.
Source: The Athletic - Chandler Rome
Source: The Athletic - Chandler Rome
Josh Hader a Must-Stash Closer Ahead of Impending Injury Return
Houston Astros closer Josh Hader (biceps) has yet to pitch in the big leagues in 2026 as he recovers from left biceps tendinitis. However, the 32-year-old has already made seven minor league rehab appearances and is reportedly targeting a return to the Houston bullpen in the first week of June. Hader was one of the game's elite relievers in 2025, pitching to a 2.05 ERA and 0.85 WHIP with 76 strikeouts and 28 saves across 52 2/3 innings (48 games). He's looked like his vintage self in his rehab outings as well, racking up 11 strikeouts while allowing just six baserunners across seven innings of work. Hader profiles as a high-end fantasy closer once healthy and should be stashed off the waiver wire in all league formats.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
