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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
Tatsuya Imai Not Opting Out of his Deal With Astros
Right-hander Tatsuya Imai will not opt out of his deal with the Houston Astros this offseason, according to Jon Heyman of the New York Post. Imai has $36 million and two years left on his deal with the team and has another opt-out clause in his contract after the 2027 season. The 28-year-old Japanese hurler showed some flashes in his first year in the big leagues in the United States, but ultimately, he was a disappointment for Houston and fantasy managers, going 6-4 with a 4.93 ERA (4.25 FIP) and 1.42 WHIP with 97 strikeouts and 51 walks in 76 2/3 innings across his 23 appearances (15 starts) for the Astros in 2026. Imai's fantasy stock fell drastically towards the end of the season, when he was deployed out of the bullpen in the final two months. Depending on how the team's starting-rotation options are looking in spring training next year, it is possible that the Astros could keep Imai in a relief role, which would make him avoidable in nearly all fantasy formats in 2027. As a reliever in a small sample size of just eight appearances, Imai was much more effective for Houston, allowing only four earned runs on eight hits while walking 11 and striking out 25. Better control would help Imai bounce back in his sophomore season in the big leagues.
Source: New York Post - Jon Heyman
Source: New York Post - Jon Heyman
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
Hunter Brown Riding Strikeout Hot Streak into Final Start of 2026
Across 102 innings (19 starts) in 2026, Houston Astros right-hander Hunter Brown has recorded a 6-3 record with a 3.26 ERA, 1.27 WHIP, and 120 strikeouts. The 28-year-old got off to a rough start to the year, missing over two months with a shoulder injury and posting a 4.94 ERA across 27 1/3 innings in July. However, Brown has begun to rediscover his top form in recent outings. Across his last 33 1/3 innings (six starts), Brown is 3-0 with a 2.43 ERA, 1.20 WHIP, and 48 strikeouts. Brown has had issues with command all year long, and his 11.9% walk rate has led to an elevated WHIP. However, he's boosted his strikeout rate all the way up to 28.1% and has struck out 39.1% of the batters he's faced across his first four starts of September. Heading into his final start of the regular season on Saturday against the Athletics, Brown is beginning to look like the fantasy ace he was drafted to be ahead of 2026.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
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
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
Ethan Pecko Expected to Make MLB Debut on Wednesday
Houston Astros pitching prospect Ethan Pecko is expected to make his MLB debut on Wednesday against the Los Angeles Angels, per Chandler Rome of The Athletic. A sixth-round pick in the 2023 MLB Draft, Pecko has recorded a 4-6 record with a 4.94 ERA, 1.39 WHIP, and 71 strikeouts across 74 2/3 innings at Triple-A this season. While Pecko's minor league numbers don't leap off the page, he's considered one of the top arms in the Astros farm system. The young right-hander is known for having a good fastball and plus command, and he showed off more strikeout upside after making the initial leap to Triple-A in 2025, posting a 31.8% strikeout rate across 35 innings. Fantasy managers in deeper league formats may want to consider targeting Pecko on the waiver wire ahead of his favorable matchup against the Angels on Wednesday.
Source: The Athletic - Chandler Rome
Source: The Athletic - Chandler Rome
Ethan Pecko Could be on his Way to the Big Leagues With Astros
The Houston Astros scratched right-handed pitching prospect Ethan Pecko from his scheduled start on Sunday afternoon with Triple-A Sugar Land, sources told Chandler Rome of The Athletic. Pecko is healthy and could be called up to the big leagues for a role in the team's upcoming pitching plans. The Astros have a spot in their current starting rotation after right-hander Ronel Blanco was used in long relief in Saturday's loss to the Seattle Mariners. Blanco has struggled mightily since returning from the injured list in late July, posting a 7.71 ERA and 1.46 WHIP in his five outings (four starts). Pecko, meanwhile, who is considered the team's No. 9 prospect per MLB Pipeline, has recorded a 4.57 ERA and 1.33 WHIP with an 86:28 K:BB in 82 2/3 innings over 20 appearances (18 starts) with Single-A Fayetteville and Sugar Land in 2026. The 6-foot-2, 195-pounder sits in the mid-90s with his fastball and also features a tight slider, a cutter, a curveball, and a changeup. Pecko can generate swing and miss with a three-quarters arm slot, but he probably shouldn't be considered much more than a back-end starting pitcher at the next level.
Source: The Athletic - Chandler Rome
Source: The Athletic - Chandler Rome
Tatsuya Imai is Shifting to the Bullpen
Houston Astros starting pitcher Tatsuya Imai will be moved to the bullpen for the time being. Astros manager Joe Espada told reporters on Friday that Imai will move to the bullpen for the upcoming weekend series against the Texas Rangers. It has been mostly a struggle for Imai, so the team will see if he is more reliable out of the bullpen. During his latest start, Imai allowed two earned runs and walked four batters across 0.2 innings of work. The Astros haven't named a replacement to take Imai's spot for Sunday's start, but the expectation is that Peter Lambert will get a chance in the rotation. Imai is unlikely to offer much fantasy value out of the bullpen, so fantasy managers can start looking for a replacement.
Source: Chandler Rome
Source: Chandler Rome
Ronel Blanco to Make Season Debut on Monday
Houston Astros starting pitcher Ronel Blanco (elbow) will be activated off the Injured List ahead of Monday's game against the Miami Marlins. Blanco is set to take the mound and make his season debut during the series opener against Miami. The veteran right-hander has been sidelined since having an internal brace procedure last June. He has been working his way back and building up his pitch count in the minor leagues. His return to the mound will move Tatsuya Imai to Tuesday, and shift Peter Lambert to Wednesday's series finale. Blanco hasn't pitched in a big league game since mid-May of 2025. Fantasy managers can't be sure what to expect from Blanco, but he could be someone worth adding in deep leagues.
Source: Matt Kawahara
Source: Matt Kawahara
Peter Lambert Gaining Waiver-Wire Steam After 10-Strikeout Outing
Houston Astros right-hander Peter Lambert continues to draw more eyeballs in fantasy baseball with another strong performance in his first outing following the All-Star break in Friday night's 3-2 loss to the visiting Baltimore Orioles at Daikin Park. Lambert gave up just one earned run on three hits while walking three and striking out a career-high 10 in six innings of work for a no-decision. The 29-year-old is now 8-5 on the season with a 3.03 ERA (4.08 FIP) and 1.11 WHIP with 91 strikeouts and 36 walks in 92 innings over his 16 starts in his first year with the Astros. The former second-rounder by the Colorado Rockies in 2015 now has three quality starts in a row in July against the Orioles, Tampa Bay Rays, and Texas Rangers, allowing just two earned runs over that span with five walks, 23 strikeouts, and two wins. Lambert has a career-high 24% strikeout rate in 2026 in his fifth year in the big leagues and is deserving of some attention as at least a spot starter in deeper mixed fantasy leagues. He's currently rostered in only 54% of Yahoo leagues.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Hunter Brown a Prime Buy-Low Candidate Coming Out of the All-Star Break
Houston Astros starting pitcher Hunter Brown had the first half of his 2026 season disrupted by a shoulder injury, which landed him on the injured list in early April and held him out until mid-June. Across 35 1/3 innings (seven starts) for the year, Brown has recorded a 1-0 record with a 3.57 ERA, 1.39 WHIP, and 39 strikeouts. The 27-year-old is still averaging 96.0 miles per hour on his fastball and owns a solid 25.5% strikeout rate. However, his walk rate has spiked from 7.8% in 2025 to 14.4% in 2026. Still, Brown was one of the best pitchers in baseball a season ago, recording a 2.43 ERA and 1.03 WHIP with 206 strikeouts and 12 wins across 185 1/3 innings. As he gets further removed from the shoulder injury, Brown's command could begin to return. Fantasy managers in need of starting pitching upside should target Brown as a buy-low candidate.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Spencer Arrighetti a Starting Pitcher to Fade Amidst Current Struggles
Across 82 innings (15 starts) in 2026, Houston Astros starting pitcher Spencer Arrighetti has recorded a 7-5 record with a 4.50 ERA, 1.33 WHIP, and 81 strikeouts. The 26-year-old got off to a fantastic start to the year, recording a 1.34 ERA across 47 innings through the end of May. However, Arrighetti has struggled mightily since, posting an 8.74 ERA over his last 35 innings (seven starts). Free passes remain a major issue for Arrighetti, as he's logged a 12.4% walk rate on the season and owns a career mark of 11.3%. With constant traffic on the bases, Arrighetti's elevated 1.32 HR/9 is a recipe for blow-up outings. The right-hander also averages just 92.4 miles per hour on his fastball and has posted a middling 22.8% strikeout rate, so he does not offer enough strikeout upside to make up for his potential ratio damage. Arrighetti profiles as a starting pitcher for fantasy managers to fade coming out of the All-Star break.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Brewers Acquiring Lance McCullers Jr. From the Astros
The Milwaukee Brewers are acquiring veteran right-hander Lance McCullers Jr. (shoulder) from the Houston Astros on Wednesday, a source told Brian McTaggart of MLB.com. It's unclear what the Astros are receiving in return. McCullers could be on the verge of coming off the 15-day injured list due to a right-shoulder impingement that has kept him sidelined since the middle of May. The 32-year-old has made three minor-league rehab starts already and might only need one more before Milwaukee activates him for the second half of the season. Arm injuries have been the story of McCullers' career. He missed all of the 2023 and 2024 seasons with arm troubles before posting a rough 6.51 ERA in 16 appearances for Houston in his return last year. The former first-rounder from 2012 could be an option for the Brewers' banged-up starting rotation in the second half, but fantasy managers should look to stay away. Before getting hurt again in 2026, McCullers was 2-3 with a 6.86 ERA and 1.52 WHIP with 43 strikeouts and 22 walks in 39 1/3 innings across eight starts in his ninth year in the majors.
Source: MLB.com - Brian McTaggart
Source: MLB.com - Brian McTaggart
