Houston Astros

Carlos Correa

SS

It's worth noting that Correa will be starting at shortstop during his return to play -- something that may become more common while Jeremy Pena sits with a fractured finger. If Pena's absence extends into the regular season, Correa would slide back over to shortstop while Isaac Paredes starts at the hot corner.

Jeremy Pena

SS

Pena suffered the injury while playing in a World Baseball Classic exhibition game against Detroit on Wednesday. He will now likely miss the WBC, but his status for Opening Day will depend on how he checks out during his reevaluation in two weeks. If the 28-year-old ends up missing the first portion of the regular season, Nick Allen would be the next man up to start at shortstop for the Astros.

Cavan Biggio

1B

Biggio has been slow-played this spring as he works his way back from offseason arthroscopic surgery on his right elbow. The utility player is in camp as a non-roster invitee and his delayed start this spring surely eliminates any chance he had to make the Opening Day roster.

Enyel De Los Santos

RP

The right-handed reliever has been shelved by a right knee strain since the start of camp, but he will progress to mound work Saturday before being slotted into game action. Barring setbacks, De Los Santos is expected to have enough time to prep for Opening Day.

Josh Hader

RP

Hader developed left biceps inflammation before reporting to Astros camp and has been limited to flat-ground work since then. He also missed the final seven-plus weeks of last season with a left shoulder strain, so he hasn't pitched in a game setting since early August of last year. Hader is unlikely to have time to ramp up for Opening Day, setting up Bryan Abreu to serve as the Astros' early-season closer.

Nate Pearson

RP

Pearson had arthroscopic surgery in his pitching elbow over the offseason and had been ramping up slowly in Astros camp. It was already likely that Pearson would begin the season on the injured list, and now it should be a given. Houston signed Pearson with the thought that he'd be stretched back out as a starting pitcher, but his health and role are now in question.

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.

Hayden Wesneski

SP

The two sides avoid arbitration, as Wesneski continues working his way back from Tommy John surgery in May 2025. He'll likely be sidelined until at least midseason, but could provide rotation depth or bullpen reinforcements in the second half. The 28-year-old righty logged a 4.50 ERA, 1.09 WHIP and 29:6 K:BB in six starts (32 innings) for the Astros in 2025 before the injury.

Brandon Walter

SP

The Astros announced that Walter was slated for elbow surgery a couple of weeks ago, but now that we know he specifically underwent a Tommy John procedure, it's safe to assume the left-hander won't return to a big-league mound until 2027. It's a notable loss for the Astros' rotation, as Walter finished his first season in Houston with a 3.35 ERA and 0.93 WHIP through 53.2 innings spanning nine starts.

Ronel Blanco

SP

This move was strictly procedural, as Blanco is recovering from internal brace surgery. He is expected to miss most of the 2026 season.