#houston-astros

#houston-astros

Sánchez, a career .253/.324/.450 hitter against right-handed pitching (111 wRC+), stands to pack a punch against from the left side of the platoon while likely splitting time in the outfield with Davis Schneider and Nathan Lukes. Born in the Dominican Republic, Sanchez had 14 home runs, 13 stolen bases and 48 RBIs last season to go along with a .237/.304/.395 slash line over 134 games split between the Miami Marlins and Astros.

Two-time All-Star reliever Ryan Pressly has retired after a 13-year career in which he collected 117 saves and helped the Houston Astros win the 2022 World Series. "It's bittersweet, but what a ride it's been," Pressly said in a statement announcing his retirement. Pressly, 37, recorded six saves and allowed only one unearned run over 11 innings during Houston's 2022 postseason run. He compiled two saves and gave up just that one unearned run over 5 2/3 innings in the Astros' 4-2 World Series victory over the Philadelphia Phillies.

"First and foremost, I want to express my gratitude to the entire @dodgers organization for everything over the past year. The memories and relationships I built there will stay with me forever," Carlson wrote on Instagram. "That said, I'm thrilled to announce that I've signed with the @astros! Thank you to everyone who has supported me and helped make this opportunity possible."

Astros manager Joe Espada and GM Dana Brown are entering the final seasons of their respective contracts. It'll be Espada's third season in the role and Brown's fourth year running baseball operations. Many clubs prefer not to have their manager and front office heads on lame duck contracts. Astros owner Jim Crane has been more willing to do that than most of his counterparts, and it appears that both Brown and Espada may need to work on expiring deals in 2026.

Snitker, 36, is the son of former Atlanta Braves manager Brian Snitker and spent nearly a decade in the Houston Astros organization. He joined Houston in 2016 and became the club's major league hitting coach in 2019, helping guide one of baseball's top offenses before being dismissed following the 2025 season. Snitker was reportedly a leading candidate for the Mets' vacancy as the team overhauls its coaching staff under manager Carlos Mendoza.

GM Dana Brown and manager Joe Espada are sticking around, but that doesn't mean the Astros aren't making big changes. The team is parting ways with hitting coaches Alex Cintrón and Troy Snitker, catching coach Michael Collins, head athletic trainer Jeremiah Randall, and assistant GM Andrew Ball, as relayed by Brian McTaggart of MLB.com and Chandler Rome of The Athletic. It's no shock that the Astros are looking for new blood.

Coming off their first non-playoff season since 2016, the Astros will hold off on any major organizational overhauls. MLB.com's Brian McTaggart reports that both general manager Dana Brown and manager Joe Espada will be back with the club in 2026, for Brown's fourth season and Espada's third season in their respective roles.

Hurston Waldrep hopes to rebound with better command than his last outing and continue his breakout second half against an injury-riddled Astros lineup.

TORONTO -- Houston Astros right-hander Luis Garcia exited Tuesday's game at Toronto in the second inning with an apparent injury. AJ Blubaugh came on to replace Garcia, who was making his second start after sitting out more than two years while recovering from Tommy John surgery. Garcia threw 27 pitches, 14 for strikes. Garcia motioned to the dugout after throwing an 88 mph changeup to Ernie Clement with two outs in the second.

Brandon Young's pursuit of a perfect game ended in the eighth inning with a slow ground ball by Ramon Urías. Young retired 23 consecutive batters before an error on his throw allowed Urías an infield single.