INSIDER
MLBPA, FanDuel settle lawsuit over alleged improper use of name, image and likeness
Read full article: MLBPA, FanDuel settle lawsuit over alleged improper use of name, image and likenessA commercial affiliate of the Major League Baseball Players Association has settled a lawsuit with FanDuel over the alleged unauthorized use of the names and images of MLB players on its sports-betting platform.
Astros season comes to an end after Game 2 loss to Detroit Tigers in AL Wild Card
Read full article: Astros season comes to an end after Game 2 loss to Detroit Tigers in AL Wild CardOn Wednesday, the Houston Astros will be playing for their lives against the Detroit Tigers in Game 2 of the MLB Wild Card.
Secrets of the Houston Astros’ winning sinker with Hunter Brown
Read full article: Secrets of the Houston Astros’ winning sinker with Hunter BrownHunter Brown came up through the Astros system as one of the team’s most highly touted pitching prospects. Since then, Brown has pitched to a 2.51 ERA and has been among the best pitchers in all of baseball.
Houston Astros activated Kyle Tucker off the 60-day injured list
Read full article: Houston Astros activated Kyle Tucker off the 60-day injured listKyle Tucker was instantly inserted into the lineup, batting 4th, but will not play the field. The Astros star right fielder has been out since June 3 after fouling a ball off his shin.
Source: Astros to sign Hector Neris
Read full article: Source: Astros to sign Hector NerisThe Astros are signing right-handed reliever Hector Neris, a league source tells KPRC 2. Neris opted out of his deal with Houston this offseason, before signing a 2-year, $17 million contract with the Chicago Cubs. The Astros will pay Neris a prorated league minimum for the rest of the season, which will relieve the Cubs of a small portion of the $9 million they owe him for 2024.
Rise of Tommy John surgeries in Houston-area youth baseball highlights growing concern for medical, coaching experts
Read full article: Rise of Tommy John surgeries in Houston-area youth baseball highlights growing concern for medical, coaching expertsWhen Astros pitchers Cristian Javier and José Urquidy went down last month with Tommy John surgery, there were questions about whether or not that specific injury is on the rise.
Phillies get MLB-leading 8th All-Star with Sánchez replacing Atlanta's Chris Sale
Read full article: Phillies get MLB-leading 8th All-Star with Sánchez replacing Atlanta's Chris SalePhiladelphia Phillies left-hander Cristopher Sánchez is set for his first All-Star Game appearance as the replacement for Chris Sale.
Dubón has tiebreaking hit, Peña homers as Astros beat Blue Jays 5-3 for 12th win in 14 games
Read full article: Dubón has tiebreaking hit, Peña homers as Astros beat Blue Jays 5-3 for 12th win in 14 gamesMauricio Dubón hit a tiebreaking single in the fifth inning, Jeremy Peña added a solo home run and the Houston Astros beat the Toronto Blue Jays 5-3 on Thursday for their 12th win in 14 games.
Altuve has tiebreaking hit, Alvarez homers for 3rd straight game as Astros beat Blue Jays 9-2
Read full article: Altuve has tiebreaking hit, Alvarez homers for 3rd straight game as Astros beat Blue Jays 9-2Jose Altuve hit a tiebreaking single in a four-run seventh inning, Yordan Alvarez homered for the third straight game and the Houston Astros beat the Toronto Blue Jays 9-2 on Wednesday night for their 11th win in 13 games.
Sources: Cardinals to call up Magnolia HS grad pitcher Adam Kloffenstein
Read full article: Sources: Cardinals to call up Magnolia HS grad pitcher Adam KloffensteinThe St. Louis Cardinals are expected to call up right-handed pitcher Adam Kloffenstein, multiple sources tell KPRC 2. Kloffenstein is a 2018 3rd round draft pick out of Magnolia High School to the Toronto Blue Jays.
Sources: Yainer Diaz gets good MRI results, Salazar called up, Loperfido optioned
Read full article: Sources: Yainer Diaz gets good MRI results, Salazar called up, Loperfido optionedThe Houston Astros are expected to activate catcher Cesar Salazar Tuesday, three sources with knowledge of the situation tell KPRC 2, as starting catcher Yainer Diaz deals with swelling in his right index finger.
Astros pitcher Jose Urquidy may require surgery to right arm, expected to miss rest of 2024 season
Read full article: Astros pitcher Jose Urquidy may require surgery to right arm, expected to miss rest of 2024 seasonJose Urquidy is expected to miss the rest of the 2024 season, and is expected to require surgery on his right arm, three sources with knowledge of the situation tell KPRC 2 Sports.
Astros’ Justin Verlander on pitcher injuries: ‘It’s a pandemic...’
Read full article: Astros’ Justin Verlander on pitcher injuries: ‘It’s a pandemic...’The Houston Astros are far from the only team to suffer pitching injuries in baseball, but after a week where three high-profile pitchers went down with elbow problems, both Major League Baseball and the MLB Players Association released statements about the rash of injuries.
Can the Astros bounce back after Opening Day collapse?
Read full article: Can the Astros bounce back after Opening Day collapse?Losing in choking fashion is always a tough scene, but there’s still plenty of time to salvage this opening series. The ‘Stros still have three more games against the Yanks today, tomorrow and Easter Sunday.
Facial recognition technology will allow Astros’ fans to get into games faster
Read full article: Facial recognition technology will allow Astros’ fans to get into games fasterThere is a new entry method which will allow fans coming to Houston Astros games at Minute Maid Park to get through the gates faster.
1 week away until Opening Day for the Astros! Here’s what to expect from the team this season
Read full article: 1 week away until Opening Day for the Astros! Here’s what to expect from the team this seasonHey guys it’s Ari Alexander with the Astros newsletter. One week. One week away from Opening Day! We’re so close! The good news for Astros fans is there isn’t much to be decided with the roster.
Source: Houston Astros interested in elite closer Josh Hader
Read full article: Source: Houston Astros interested in elite closer Josh HaderAn MLB source confirmed to KPRC 2 the Astros are showing interest in signing left-handed closer Josh Hader. The Athletic first reported Houston’s interest in the elite closer, who spent last season with the San Diego Padres.
‘Forever a Champion’: Houston Astros All-Star Michael Brantley retires after 15 seasons
Read full article: ‘Forever a Champion’: Houston Astros All-Star Michael Brantley retires after 15 seasonsHouston Astros’ Michael Brantley has announced his retirement from baseball after 15 seasons, Major League Baseball announced Friday.
Astros’ Yordan Alvarez, Kyle Tucker selected to All-MLB team; earn Second-Team honors
Read full article: Astros’ Yordan Alvarez, Kyle Tucker selected to All-MLB team; earn Second-Team honorsYordan Alvarez and Kyle Tucker of the Houston Astros were both selected to the All-MLB team, earning Second-Team honors.
👑TUCK REIGNS SUPREME: Houston Astros’ Kyle Tucker wins 1st career AL Silver Slugger Award
Read full article: 👑TUCK REIGNS SUPREME: Houston Astros’ Kyle Tucker wins 1st career AL Silver Slugger AwardHouston Astros’ outfielder Kyle Tucker won his first career American League Silver Slugger Award on Thursday, Louisville Slugger announced.
‘Keep your heads up!’: Astros fans share heartbreak, anger and more as team’s postseason run ends
Read full article: ‘Keep your heads up!’: Astros fans share heartbreak, anger and more as team’s postseason run endsThe Houston Astros fell to the Texas Rangers on Monday night, ending their run at the American League Championship Series in a heartbreaking Game 7.
Abreu gives up 2-run homer in Astros' Game 7 loss after suspension upheld but pushed to next year
Read full article: Abreu gives up 2-run homer in Astros' Game 7 loss after suspension upheld but pushed to next yearBryan Abreu gave up Nathaniel Lowe’s two-run homer in the Houston Astros’ 11-4 loss to the Texas Rangers in Game 7 of the AL Championship Series after his two-game suspension for intentionally throwing at Adolis García delayed until the start of next season.
Kim Ng, MLB’s first female GM, leaving Miami Marlins after rare winning season
Read full article: Kim Ng, MLB’s first female GM, leaving Miami Marlins after rare winning seasonThe team exercised its option to bring her back, but she declined in an apparent disagreement over reshaping the Baseball Operations department.
Astros take on Rangers in ALCS: What you need to know about ticket prices, parking
Read full article: Astros take on Rangers in ALCS: What you need to know about ticket prices, parkingThe Astros will begin their AL Championship Series against the Texas Rangers on Sunday after defeating the Minnesota Twins in Game 4 of their division series on Wednesday night.
MLB playoffs back at the Globe with Texas Rangers part of them, and not neutral 3 years after COVID
Read full article: MLB playoffs back at the Globe with Texas Rangers part of them, and not neutral 3 years after COVIDThere was a World Series and other postseason games played at Globe Life Field even before Texas Rangers fans got to see their own team do anything in the stadium with a retractable roof.
POLL: Do you think having Minute Maid Park roof closed improves how the Houston Astros play?
Read full article: POLL: Do you think having Minute Maid Park roof closed improves how the Houston Astros play?Long time Astros fans know the team prefers that the retractable roof of Minute Maid Park remains shut. Players have been quoted as saying it’s part of their home field advantage. A closed ballpark is louder.
MLB game time drops 24 minutes to 2:40 with pitch clock. Players steal most bases since 1987
Read full article: MLB game time drops 24 minutes to 2:40 with pitch clock. Players steal most bases since 1987The average time of a nine-inning major league game dropped to 2 hours, 40 minutes in the first year of the pitch clock, a 24-minute decrease in a season of change that resulted in a spike in batting average and the most stolen bases in nearly 40 years.
Urquidy brilliant in emergency start, pitches Astros to crucial 2-1 win over Diamondbacks
Read full article: Urquidy brilliant in emergency start, pitches Astros to crucial 2-1 win over DiamondbacksJosé Abreu hit a two-run double, José Urquidy pitched six shutout innings in an emergency start and the Houston Astros held off the Arizona Diamondbacks 2-1.
The Rays are finalizing plans for a new stadium, which means MLB expansion could be on deck
Read full article: The Rays are finalizing plans for a new stadium, which means MLB expansion could be on deckThe Tampa Bay Rays are finalizing plans for a new ballpark in downtown St. Petersburg, which is a positive development for baseball fans in Florida.
Astros place RHP Ryne Stanek on 15-day IL due to sprained ankle
Read full article: Astros place RHP Ryne Stanek on 15-day IL due to sprained ankleThe Houston Astros have placed reliever Ryne Stanek on the 15-day injured list due to a knee sprain he sustained during Monday night’s game against the Texas Rangers.
Brantley “feels good” as he works his way back to MLB
Read full article: Brantley “feels good” as he works his way back to MLBAstros left fielder Michael Brantley had a stop and start rehab process in 2023 as he worked his way back from shoulder surgery. Earlier this season, Brantley got to a rehab assignment before fatigue in his surgically repaired shoulder forced a shutdown.
Astros fans’ joy overfloweth ⚾💖: These are the best reactions to Framber Valdez, Justin Verlander news
Read full article: Astros fans’ joy overfloweth ⚾💖: These are the best reactions to Framber Valdez, Justin Verlander newsFramber Valdez threw the 16th no-hitter in Houston Astros history in a 2-0 victory over the Cleveland Guardians on Tuesday night, just hours after the Astros reacquired ace Justin Verlander from the New York Mets.
Angels outfielder Taylor Ward placed on IL with facial fractures after being hit in head
Read full article: Angels outfielder Taylor Ward placed on IL with facial fractures after being hit in headLos Angeles Angels outfielder Taylor Ward was placed on the 10-day injured list with facial fractures a day after he was hit by a 91 mph pitch from Blue Jays right-hander Alek Manoah.
MLB open to consider increasing time on pitch clock in postseason
Read full article: MLB open to consider increasing time on pitch clock in postseasonBaseball Commissioner Rob Manfred will consider increasing time on the pitch clock for the postseason but is reluctant to adjust an innovation the sport considers a great success.
Yankees pitcher Cordero is suspended for the rest of the season under MLB's domestic violence policy
Read full article: Yankees pitcher Cordero is suspended for the rest of the season under MLB's domestic violence policyNew York Yankees pitcher Jimmy Cordero has been suspended for the rest of the season by baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred for violating the sport’s domestic violence policy.
Ohtani becomes 2-way All-Star for 3rd straight year; 8 Braves selected for July 11 game
Read full article: Ohtani becomes 2-way All-Star for 3rd straight year; 8 Braves selected for July 11 gameShohei Ohtani became a two-way All-Star for the third straight year when he was picked for the American League pitching staff, and eight Atlanta Braves were chosen for the July 11 game in Seattle — the most of any team since 2012.
Overturned outs are prompting confusion, frustration over MLB's blocking-the-plate rule
Read full article: Overturned outs are prompting confusion, frustration over MLB's blocking-the-plate ruleThe rules have changed since Bob Melvin and Bruce Bochy were big league catchers when big collisions with runners trying to score were just part of the game.
MLB commissioner suspects many pitchers are using banned sticky stuff
Read full article: MLB commissioner suspects many pitchers are using banned sticky stuffBaseball Commissioner Rob Manfred thinks the use of banned sticky stuff is more widespread than the three pitchers ejected this season for illegal grip aids.
From swords to fishing lures to "sprinklers," MLB celebrations have become full-scale productions
Read full article: From swords to fishing lures to "sprinklers," MLB celebrations have become full-scale productionsMajor League Baseball celebrations have turned into a full-on production for some teams.
Houston Astros remain banged up, but reinforcements are on the way
Read full article: Houston Astros remain banged up, but reinforcements are on the wayHey guys, it’s Ari Alexander with the Astros, who are starting to gain some distance on .500 as Dusty Baker likes to say. They’re still banged up but reinforcements seem to be coming.
Football and baseball legend Bo Jackson says he’s had hiccups for nearly a year
Read full article: Football and baseball legend Bo Jackson says he’s had hiccups for nearly a yearOncoming defenders on the football field and outfield walls on the baseball field couldn’t stop Bo Jackson, but the two-sport sensation has finally met his match: hiccups.
Sugar Land Space Cowboys to host the Houston Astros in series of exhibition games ahead of season opener
Read full article: Sugar Land Space Cowboys to host the Houston Astros in series of exhibition games ahead of season openerThe Sugar Land Space Cowboys will host the Houston Astros at Constellation Field for a series of exhibition games starting Monday.
A conversation with the interpreter for the world champion Houston Astros
Read full article: A conversation with the interpreter for the world champion Houston AstrosHe’s not on the roster for the Houston Astros, but Jenloy Herrera is an important team player. He’s the team interpreter for the 2022 World Series champions.
First-ever Cactus Jack HBCU classic coming to Houston this weekend
Read full article: First-ever Cactus Jack HBCU classic coming to Houston this weekendSeveral southern college baseball teams are taking over Minute Maid Park in downtown Houston for the debut of the Cactus Jack HBCU Classic this weekend.
WATCH LIVE: Astros pitchers, catchers start Spring Training workouts
Read full article: WATCH LIVE: Astros pitchers, catchers start Spring Training workoutsThe Houston Astros pitchers and catchers opened Spring Training workouts in West Palm Beach, Florida, Thursday. The rest of the team reports next week.
Astros’ Luis Garcia puts ‘rock the baby’ pitch to sleep after MLB’s latest rule change
Read full article: Astros’ Luis Garcia puts ‘rock the baby’ pitch to sleep after MLB’s latest rule changeHouston Astros’ Luis Garcia’s signature pitch, called “rock the baby” is now deemed illegal beginning this season.
Astros sign RHP Cristian Javier to 5-year contract extension in $64M deal
Read full article: Astros sign RHP Cristian Javier to 5-year contract extension in $64M dealThe Astros have signed right-handed pitcher Cristian Javier to a five-year contract extension, Astros General Manager Dana Brown announced Friday. The $64 million deal will run through the 2027 season, per a league source. It includes a $2M signing bonus.
Q&A: ‘The best of Jeremy Pena is about to come’: Former Astro Carlos Correa talks offseason, the Twins, and his future TV broadcast career
Read full article: Q&A: ‘The best of Jeremy Pena is about to come’: Former Astro Carlos Correa talks offseason, the Twins, and his future TV broadcast careerFormer Houston Astros shortstop Carlos Correa is spending his offseason in Houston following a deal struck with the Minnesota Twins a second time.
Astros: We’re less than 90 days away from the 2023 MLB season
Read full article: Astros: We’re less than 90 days away from the 2023 MLB seasonHappy New Year! We’re less than 90 days away from the 2023 MLB season and it has come up on us quickly! The 2022 Champion Houston Astros are slowly filling out their 40-man roster and seem to be ready to go without making any further moves. Let’s get into what’s important this week.
Astros into the new year: What’s going on with the team, what’s left to do for a 2023 World Series run
Read full article: Astros into the new year: What’s going on with the team, what’s left to do for a 2023 World Series runMerry Christmas, Astros fans! You got your present six weeks ago, but I’m sure there are still plenty of Astros jerseys under the tree (except maybe Jeremy Peña jerseys, which are notoriously hard to find according to our Mario Diaz.
Astros look to improve in key areas ahead of 2023 season, these are the players that could help
Read full article: Astros look to improve in key areas ahead of 2023 season, these are the players that could helpHey guys, it’s Ari Alexander and I’m back from San Diego where MLB held its annual Winter Meetings. There was a lot of action because annual hasn’t meant annual for two years due to COVID, so this was really the first event since 2019. I got to chat with Dusty Baker, Astros Ops. Director Bill Firkus, Kyle Tucker and a number of other baseball people in the know about what the Astros can be expected to do this offseason as well as other teams, so let’s dig in.
MLB’s Winter Meeting notes: Day 1 with Astros’ Bill Firkus
Read full article: MLB’s Winter Meeting notes: Day 1 with Astros’ Bill FirkusThe Houston Astros are out in full force at MLB’s Winter Meetings, and according to both Dusty Baker and Bill Firkus, the Astros Sr. Director of Baseball Strategy, the team has a lot of irons in the fire in different areas.