The Astros’ pitchers and catchers reported on Wednesday this week (Feb. 11). The position players will report next Wednesday (Feb. 18).
And while the news is light, there have been a few items of note this week.
Hunter Brown is announced as the opening day starter.
I have to be honest: I probably haven’t always paid attention to this, but this is the earliest I can remember the team announcing their opening-day starter. Since the 2017 championship, the Astros have had several seasons with two top-notch starters at the top of the rotation, including Justin Verlander and Gerrit Cole, JV and Zack Greinke, JV and Framber Valdez, and Framber and Hunter Brown. And so there were some questions about who would open. (OK, I know JV would be the top choice if he was standing).
But heading into this season, there is no argument about who the ace is. Brown is coming off of a top three in the AL season as the front man to a rotation with more question marks than exclamation points….at the moment. With any luck and some alchemy from the coaching staff Mike Burrows, Tatsuya Imai, Ryan Weiss, Cristian Javier, Spencer Arrighetti (and a cast of thousands) will fill behind Brown for a complete pitching staff.
Josh Hader regressed in the off season and is a “few” weeks behind in his preparation.
This brings back way too many memories of pitchers not returning from injury as planned over the last few seasons. Whether we are talking about Luis Garcia, Lance McCullers, or Cristian Javier, the fans are shell-shocked with these pronouncements that are tied to very long return periods or even unplanned surgeries and rehabs.
The Astros are fortunate to have Bryan Abreu waiting in the wings. He was so-so taking Hader’s spot late last season, but hopefully he has had more time to adjust to a closer’s role rather than having it thrust upon him in the middle of a pennant race.
The fans frankly just want Hader to get right and then join the bullpen. We don’t need any hero ball from him and if it is later than folks would like – tough.
Joey Loperfido returns to the Astros in a trade for Jesus Sanchez.
Joey L. may not win a starter’s role with this team, but he certainly will be given an opportunity to help out with his improving left-handed bat, good glove and speed. A lot of folks were disappointed when Loperfido was traded away with Jake Bloss and Will Wagner for Yusei Kikuchi at the 2024 deadline. Now the Astros get Loperfido back for Sanchez, who did little to endear himself to the fans at the end of 2025 and the team saves a chunk of bucks in sending Sanchez’s $6.8 million in exchange for Loperfido’s minimum MLB wage of $780 K. (Note – minimum wage is not the same as when I was flipping Whataburgers).
GM Dana Brown says the trade talks for Astros’ infielders are slowing down.
It is no secret that the Astros have spent extra efforts this off-season to clear the log jam of five starting infielders (Christian Walker, Jose Altuve, Carlos Correa, Jeremy Pena and Isaac Paredes) for four spots. This led them to attempt to find a trading partner for Walker or Paredes.
So far, nothing has happened and with a number of teams filling their needs (especially at third base) right before Spring Training, whatever competition had been to obtain one of these players (most likely Paredes) has declined.
Does this mean that there will be no trade? No. A catastrophic injury or a player not playing up to snuff might open a spot that one of these players could fill.
So, slowing down is not the same as going away.
Bottomline, are these stories interesting to you? If not, stick around and see what happens next.
ALL THINGS ASTROS 
One response to “Astros’ Spring Training: News from this week”
It’s a rainy morning out here, leaving time on my hands. Using the highly technical resource of Baseball Reference, I have solved the Astro roster issue in 15 minutes, although the typing part will add another 30 to 45 minutes. Actually, it’s an hour plus now.
I’ve used BBR projections for our guys, but only PA’s and OPS. I wanted to keep my findings approachable for all Astros fans. And I’ve separated all eligible participants by department.
529 .755 Correa
537 .756 Pena
595 .780 Altuve
575 .757 Walker
483 .793 Parades
That’s our infield. I fully accept BBR’s projections as reasonable and accurate. If these projections are accurate, and of course I have no reason to question BBR, then we don’t have an infield issue. Everything is going to be okay.
442 .696 Meyers
447 .671 Smith
278 .720 Loperfido
226 .770 Cole
That’s our outfield. I fully accept BBR’s projections as reasonable and accurate. In fact, with Yordan spending some time in left in our cozy confines at AC Park, I’ll live with those numbers. And certainly, since BBR tells us that Zach Cole will give us a .770 OPS with 9 dingers and 30 RBI’s in those 226 PA’s, I’m graciously giving him 200 additional PA’s. As far as Joey and Cam go, I’m going to live with their athleticism and enthusiasm and see what they can do on the bases at the bottom of the line up.
545 .755 Diaz
211 .706 Salazar
That’s our catching department. I accept BBR’s projections as reasonable and accurate, although a .706 OPS out of Salazar is likely pipe dream.
363 .904 Alvarez
204 .736 Matthews
419 .588 Allen
261 .716 Dezenzo
And finally, this is our other guy department. I accept BBR’s projections as reasonable and accurate. Unfortunately, they have determined that Yordan will miss significant time again in 2026. Certainly is plausible. And our other guy department brings us to 15 Astros. Two of the guys will have to go to Sugar Land. Although BBR has used their highly technical resources to give Nick Allen 419 PA’s, I’m hoping BBR had a systems malfunction and that number is under review.
In closing, I want to give that 13th roster spot to Brice Matthews, again in an effort to stomp on the gas and add more athleticism to the mix. But alas, Mills will be kept around as our late inning guy on the infield. But at least we know now that we can ignore the rumors. We’ll all set with our rejuvenated 13. Have no fear fans.
We’ll resolve pitching next week!
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