Inside the Astros

The Astros are starting to look exactly like the '25 Astros who dealt with many key injuries. That is unfortunately rolling into 2026. Apr 6, 2026; Denver, Colorado, USA; Houston Astros manager Joe Espada (19) during the first inning against the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field. | Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images To say it has been less than an ideal start for the Houston Astros would be quite the understatement, as injuries to the team's pitching staff are crushing a potentially great season.

One Houston infielder continues to be the subject of trade rumors. Dana Brown | Troy Taormina-Imagn Images When it came to the Houston Astros and general manager Dana Brown, there were a lot of rumors surrounding them over the offseason. One name that kept coming up was Isaac Paredes. Some teams were reportedly involved for the 27-year-old utility infielder. However, Brown stood pat despite the rumors and Paredes is three weeks into the season with the Astros.

This Houston Astros elevated Peter Lambert to their taxi squad as they try to figure out how to plot out their starting rotation. Houston Astros pitcher Peter Lambert. | Sam Navarro-Imagn Images For the second time in less than a week, the Houston Astros have added a potential starting pitcher to their taxi squad. On Thursday The Athletic’s Chandler Rome (subscription required) reported that Houston had elevated Peter Lambert to its taxi squad.

Houston goes for the sweep of Colorado. Yainer Diaz and Enyel de Los Santos | Troy Taormina-Imagn Images Coming off a road trip where the Houston Astros lost nine of 10 games, they were looking for some home cooking when they opened up a three-game series against the Colorado Rockies on Tuesday night. So far, the returns have been good for the Astros, who have won the first two games, 7-6 and 3-1.

The Houston Astros got a huge boost from Spencer Arrighetti, who re-joined the starting rotation on Wednesday. Houston Astros starting pitcher Spencer Arrighetti. | Troy Taormina-Imagn Images On a night when Yordan Alvarez hit his seventh home run, the Houston Astros got the true boost they needed from Spencer Arrighetti. Houston's starting rotation has been besieged by injuries for the first two weeks of this season.

Houston can win the series with a victory in the middle game on Wednesday night. Houston Astros gloves and hats | Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images After finishing off a 1-9 road trip with a loss to the Seattle Mariners on Monday afternoon, the Houston Astros returned home to face the Colorado Rockies for the second time in a week. Last week, the Rockies swept the Astros as part of their disastrous road trip.

This couldn't have happened at a better time. It's no secret that the Houston Astros pitching staff has been abysmal to begin 2026. Whether it's due to injuries, underperformance, or everything in between, the Astros have given up the most amount of runs in baseball to begin the year. What's even more unfortunate, Houston has scored the most runs of any team entering Wednesday night and has a 7-11 record, which is dead last in the American League West.

Houston returns home from a dreadful 1-9 road trip. Joe Espada | Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images A forgettable road trip is in the books for the Houston Astros on several levels. Not only did Joe Espada's crew go 1-9, but the limp home on a nine-game losing streak, and they came home extremely shorthanded. As if the results on the field were not bad enough, the injuries piled up on what seemed like a daily basis for Houston.

The Houston Astros have an additional first-round pick this July, thanks to last year’s performance by its injured ace. Houston Astros hat and glove in the dugout. | William Purnell-Imagn Images The Houston Astros have Hunter Brown to thank for the additional first-round selection they have in July’s MLB draft. Brown, who was drafted by the Astros in the fifth-round in 2019, was a Cy Young finalist in the American League last year.

These are the three biggest positives to a disappointing season start. The Houston Astros 6-10 start to the season has not been ideal, to say the least. Not only is the pitching staff giving up runs at a historic rate, but the offense has also been highly inconsistent. While questions surround the team, let's assess the good news and what to be excited about moving forward. 1. Yordan Alvarez Has Been Elite Alvarez is second in the league in homers, fifth in RBI and first in walks.