This page may contain affiliate links. If you click and sign up, make a deposit, or place a wager, we may earn a commission at no additional cost to you.
Burrows (0-1) took the loss Friday, coughing up five runs on nine hits and two walks over 5.2 innings as the Astros fell 6-2 to the Angels. He struck out six.
Home runs by Josh Lowe in the second inning and Mike Trout in the fifth accounted for most of the damage off Burrows, who tossed 94 pitches (59 strikes) before getting lifted, It was an inauspicious Houston debut for the right-hander, who was acquired from Pittsburgh over the winter, but his workload was at least encouraging after Burrows worked 126 innings over 23 appearances (19 starts) between Triple-A and the majors in 2025. He'll look to bounce back in his next start, which lines up to come at home versus the Red Sox next week.
Lambert signed a minor-league contract with the Astros on Friday, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.
The Astros released Lambert on Tuesday after informing him he hadn't made the Opening Day roster, but the 28-year-old right-hander will return to the organization after testing the free-agent market. He will begin the year as bullpen depth at Triple-A Sugar Land.
... See More... See Less
Astros' Enyel De Los Santos: Set for Triple-A appearance
Rotowire
De Los Santos (knee) will make a rehab appearance at Triple-A Sugar Land on Friday, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.
De Los Santos opened up the season on the 15-day injured list because of a right knee strain he sustained at the start of spring training. The reliever made one appearance late in camp, and he'll continue his rehab at Triple-A.
... See More... See Less
Astros' Bennett Sousa: Has Grade 1 oblique strain
Rotowire
Sousa's oblique injury has been diagnosed as a Grade 1 strain, and he isn't expected to miss more than the minimum 15 days, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.
Sousa was officially placed on the 15-day injured list Wednesday, and further testing showed he's not dealing with a severe injury. While he may not be ready for activation immediately after the minimum 15 days, he should be back shortly thereafter. Once healthy, Sousa will likely serve as one of the Astros' top relievers.
... See More... See Less
Astros' Josh Hader: Completes bullpen Friday
Rotowire
Hader (biceps) threw a bullpen session Friday, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.
Hader's scheduled bullpen seemingly went as planned, which means the veteran lefty is still on schedule. Astros general manager Dana Brown said Thursday that Hader will begin facing hitters by mid-April, so he's still a ways away from returning.
... See More... See Less
Astros' Isaac Paredes: In lineup again Friday
Rotowire
Paredes will bat third and DH in Friday's game against the Angels.
Paredes started at third base on Opening Day due to the absence of Jeremy Pena (finger), and even with Pena back in action, Paredes remains in the lineup. Houston will move Yordan Alvarez to left field to avoid a same-handed matchup between Joey Loperfido and Halos starter Yusei Kikuchi. While Paredes may not have an everyday role, he could force his way into the lineup if his bat gets hot.
... See More... See Less
Astros' Joey Loperfido: On bench against LHP
Rotowire
Loperfido isn't part of the lineup for Friday's game against the Angels.
Loperfido will avoid a matchup with left-hander Yusei Kikuchi, which means Yordan Alvarez will draw a start in left field and Isaac Paredes will DH. Loperfido went 2-for-4 with a double on Opening Day.
... See More... See Less
Astros' Jake Meyers: Idle Friday
Rotowire
Meyers is out of the lineup for Friday's game against the Angels.
Meyers will cede center-field duties to Brice Matthews on Friday. Meyers went 0-for-3 with a strikeout and a walk while batting ninth on Opening Day.
... See More... See Less
Astros' Jeremy Pena: In lineup Friday
Rotowire
Pena (finger) is leading off and playing shortstop Friday against the Angels.
Pena was held out on Opening Day, but he's back in action for game No. 2. His return to the lineup pushes Carlos Correa to third base, while Isaac Paredes moves to DH and Yordan Alvarez fills left field. Pena sustained a fractured finger March 4.
... See More... See Less
Astros' Cesar Salazar: Receives outright assignment
Rotowire
Salazar cleared waivers and was outrighted to Triple-A Sugar Land on Friday, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.
Salazar was designated for assignment Wednesday, but the 30-year-old catcher will remain within the Astros' organization. He could be called upon if Yainer Diaz or Christian Vazquez sustain an injury.
Astros' Hunter Brown: Strikes out nine in no-decision
Rotowire
Brown did not factor into the decision Thursday against the Angels, allowing four hits and four walks across 4.2 scoreless innings. He struck out nine.
Brown was impressive Thursday, though he'd ultimately come away with a no-decision after needing 102 pitches to get through 4.2 frames. The 27-year-old Brown is looking to build on a breakout 2025 campaign, during which he posted a 2.43 ERA with a 1.03 WHIP and 206 strikeouts across 31 starts (185.1 innings). Brown is currently slated to face the Red Sox at home in his next outing.
Astros general manager Dana Brown said Thursday that Hader (biceps) will begin facing hitters by "mid-April," Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.
Working his way back from left biceps tendinitis, Hader has been throwing off the mound since early March and is slated for another bullpen session Friday. He's still a couple weeks away from facing hitters, though, and will surely need a rehab assignment before being activated, making it unlikely he'll be back before late April. Houston will use Bryan Abreu at closer while Hader is sidelined.
... See More... See Less
Astros' Brice Matthews: Claims Opening Day roster spot
Rotowire
The Astros announced Wednesday that Matthews won a spot on the Opening Day roster.
Matthews is set to begin the season as a utility player for the Astros after producing an .817 OPS while seeing time at second base, left field and center field during spring training. The 24-year-old is also capable of playing shortstop, though the Astros will go with Carlos Correa at that position in Thursday's season opener versus the Angels as a replacement for the banged-up Jeremy Pena (finger). Matthews, who slashed just .167/.222/.452 in 47 plate appearances during his first taste of the majors last season, is likely to see most of his starts against left-handed pitching in the early going.
... See More... See Less
Astros' Joey Loperfido: Starts in left field, bats fifth
Rotowire
Loperfido will start in left field and bat fifth in Thursday's opener against the Angels.
Loperfido beat out Zach Cole for the Astros' left-field job, and he's occupying a favorable spot in the batting order versus right-hander Jose Soriano. The 26-year-old Loperfido has an intriguing power/speed skill set but will have to make enough contact to keep a regular job. He has a 33.3 percent strikeout rate in his first 122 major-league games.
... See More... See Less
Astros' Isaac Paredes: Handling third base Opening Day
Rotowire
Paredes will start at third base and bat third in Thursday's opener versus the Angels.
Jeremy Pena (finger) is on the active roster but not quite ready to play yet, so Paredes will occupy the hot corner while Carlos Correa slides over to shortstop. When the Astros' roster is fully healthy, it's going to be more difficult for Paredes to find a regular spot in the lineup.
... See More... See Less
Astros' Jeremy Pena: Not in lineup for opener
Rotowire
Pena (finger) is not in the lineup for Thursday's opener against the Angels.
Per Chandler Rome of The Athletic, Pena has progressed enough in his recovery from a fractured right ring finger to avoid the 10-day injured list, but he's not quite ready to play in major-league games. Pena is at the Astros' nearby Triple-A Sugar Land affiliate Thursday morning getting in some live at-bats, and it's unclear whether he will be available off the bench Thursday or if Houston will play a man short. Consider him day-to-day for the time being. With Pena out, Carlos Correa will slide over to shortstop and Isaac Paredes will start at third base.
0:23
0:43
1:57
9:27
0:25
1:14
8:27
0:44
0:39
8:49
10:59
1:18
1:05
0:40
1:04
1:12
1:44
9:08
1:53
1:31
