Categories: Sports

Projecting the Astros Opening Day roster

With the 2026 season opener three weeks away, most of the Astros’ Opening Day 26-man roster is coming into focus. A few spots, however, remain unsettled. Here’s my first pass at how things could shake out:

Starting pitchers: Hunter Brown, Christian Javier, Tatsuya Imai, Mike Burrows, Spencer Arrighetti, Lance McCullers Jr

Also considered: Colton Gordon, AJ Blubaugh

Assuming health, the first four appeared to be locks at the start of spring training, and all four appear to be healthy. Because of his contract, McCullers is a lock to make the team out of camp, and his first spring start last week was encouraging.

That leaves Arrighetti, who was hit around in his lone spring appearance, but I’m not going to overreact to that. Some red flags will start to rise if he struggles in his next couple of outings, but we’ll cross that bridge when we get there.

Bullpen: Bryan Abreu, Bryan King, Steven Okert, AJ Blubaugh, Ryan Weiss, Bennett Sousa, Enyel De Los Santos

Also considered: Josh Hader, Roddery Muñoz, Colton Gordon, Jason Alexander, Nate Pearson

I am working under the assumption that Hader, who has yet to throw a bullpen this spring, will start the season on the IL, as will Pearson after Joe Espada told reporters he felt some soreness in his elbow.

Blubaugh has carried his terrific finish to last season into the spring, and he could be valuable as a long man early in the year while starters build up their pitch counts. The same could be said for Weiss, who looked good in his first outing Tuesday and is under contract for more than $2 million.

Sousa’s work last season should guarantee him an Opening Day roster spot in 2026.

An ankle injury has put De Los Santos behind schedule, but he was scheduled to throw a bullpen Wednesday, which should leave him enough time to get up to speed. Still, the Astros could choose to slow-play things to get a longer look at Muñoz, who, as a Rule 5 pick, must remain on the active roster all season or be offered back to the Reds.

Gordon’s results in three spring outings have been terrific, and it’s likely the Astros keep him stretched out and have him start the season in Sugar Land’s rotation. The same goes for Alexander, who pitched well Sunday after a rough first outing.

Catchers: Yainer Diaz, Cèsar Salazar

Also considered: None

Diaz is locked in as the Astros’ primary catcher, and Salazar is the only other catcher in camp with 40-man roster status or major league experience.

Infielders: Jose Altuve, Carlos Correa, Jeremy Peña, Christian Walker, Isaac Paredes, Nick Allen

Also considered: Brice Matthews, Zach Dezenzo

The Astros have done nothing to address their infield logjam, so we’ll roll with this for now. Matthews has had a nice spring, but it makes more sense for him to play every day in Sugar Land than to serve in a bench role in the big leagues. It would also give him an opportunity to get more reps in the outfield.

Outfielders/DH: Yordan Alvarez Jake Meyers, Zach Cole, Cam Smith, Taylor Trammell

Also considered: Joey Loperfido, Zach Dezenzo

Cole doesn’t have a hit this spring, but he’s made consistent hard contact and controlled the strike zone. Smith has also strung together productive at-bats. Loperfido and Dezenzo haven’t produced, which creates an opportunity for Trammell, who is 5-for-14 with two walks in six games and offers the versatility and athleticism the Astros covet.

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