Houston Astros

Bennett Sousa

RP

It will be his first time facing hitters since he suffered a Grade 1 left oblique strain in his final spring training appearance. He's eligible to be activated from the 15-day injured list next week and the Astros have been optimistic that Sousa wouldn't need more than a minimum stay on the IL, so it's possible he skips a rehab assignment.

Nate Pearson

RP

Pearson developed soreness in his surgically repaired right elbow a month ago and has been brought along slowly since then. That he's now facing hitters suggests a rehab assignment could be right around the corner. Pearson signed with the Astros over the offseason with the intent to be a starting pitcher, but his best path to a role right now is as a reliever.

Hayden Wesneski

SP

The Astros needed the spot on the 40-man roster for reliever Cody Bolton, who had his contract selected from Triple-A Sugar Land in a corresponding move. Wesneski is still working his way back from last May's Tommy John surgery.

Enyel De Los Santos

RP

Through two appearances, the only blemish on De Los Santos' ledger has been a hit batsmen during his most recent outing Sunday. The right-hander opened the season on the shelf after he was out for most of spring training while recovering from a right knee strain, but he looks like he could soon be ready to rejoin the Houston bullpen. De Los Santos will be eligible for reinstatement from the injured list next week.

Josh Hader

RP

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.

Brandon Walter

SP

Putting Walter on the 60-day IL gives Houston another 40-man roster spot to play with. The lefty will miss the entire 2026 campaign after having Tommy John surgery last September.

Ronel Blanco

SP

Blanco will be shelved until the second half as he continues his recovery from Tommy John surgery with an internal brace. He's a candidate to be shifted to the 60-day IL when/if the Astros need to free up a spot on their 40-man roster.

Zach Dezenzo

LF

Dezenzo recently injured his elbow while playing for Team Italy in the World Baseball Classic. Though the elbow hasn't presented any issues for him as a hitter, he'll need to prove that he can throw without limitations before he's cleared for game action. The Astros are likely to place Dezenzo on the 10-day injured list when they set their Opening Day roster Thursday.

Glenn Otto

RP

Both pitchers have been behind schedule due to right shoulder issues, which effectively ended any chance they had to make the Opening Day roster. Otto missed time with a shoulder problem last year at Triple-A El Paso in the Padres organization, as well, and it's not clear when he might be ready to pitch in games.