Houston Astros

Ronel Blanco

SP

Blanco had been a candidate to return from the 60-day IL and start Sunday's first-half finale against the Rangers, but the Astros will look to get him one more tune-up outing in the minors before bringing him back after the All-Star break. Blanco's most recent start at Triple-A was cut short after two innings due to inclement weather, though he had built up to 60 pitches (4.1 innings) during his previous appearance.

Lance McCullers Jr.

SP

McCullers has thrown three rehab starts, with his last taking place this past Tuesday with Triple-A Sugar Land, when he allowed four runs (two earned) on three hits and three walks while striking out four across four innings. He was a candidate to return to the Astros' rotation during the team's weekend series against the Rangers. However, McCullers requires at least one more outing in the minors but should rejoin the big club in late July following the All-Star break.

Bennett Sousa

RP

Sousa has been on the injured list since May 9 due to left elbow inflammation and will likely need to make multiple rehab appearances before the Astros are comfortable activating him. Before hitting the shelf, the southpaw reliever posted an 8.10 ERA and 2.40 WHIP in 3.1 innings over five appearances for Houston.

Hayden Wesneski

SP

After tossing three shutout innings in his first rehab start in the rookie-level Florida Complex League on June 30, Wesneski jumped up a few rungs on the minor-league ladder for his second outing. Wesneski -- who is on the comeback trail after undergoing Tommy John surgery last May -- built up to 46 pitches (29 strikes) in Sunday's appearance, generating seven whiffs along the way. The right-hander will likely need to make two or three more rehab starts before coming off the 60-day injured list, but he may not have a rotation spot with the big club waiting for him once he's activated.

Kai-Wei Teng

RP

Teng had been sent down to Triple-A Sugar Land following Saturday's start versus the Tigers, but it's been determined he suffered an injury before that transaction so he's now on the IL instead. It's unclear how long the right-hander might be sidelined.

Brandon Walter

SP

Walter is one of three Astros starters in Florida rehabbing from Tommy John surgery, though Hayden Wesneski (elbow) and Ronel Blanco (elbow) are further along in their programs after undergoing procedures in May and June of last year, respectively. Both Wesneski and Blanco will have chances at returning from the 60-day injured list late in the season, but since he had his surgery Sept. 23, 2025, Walter isn't a realistic candidate to pitch until 2027. Walter's main focus will be building up toward facing live hitters by the end of the season with the aim of entering spring training with few restrictions, if any.

Carlos Correa

SS

The Astros could provide an official timeline for Correa's return once surgery is completed, but the veteran infielder has already been ruled out for the season and is expected to require around 6-to-8 months to fully recover from the procedure. Correa slashed .279/.369/.418 with three home runs, one stolen base, 16 RBI and 22 runs over 141 plate appearances in 32 games before suffering the ankle injury in batting practice prior to Tuesday's 2-1 win over the Dodgers.