The Houston Astros desperately need some positive news to come their way. While another injury was added to the long list, the Astros’ roster moves during the series against the Minnesota Twins have the potential to greatly help out. With 14 players on the injured list, every single big name that comes back is massive for the Astros. Most of the roster moves related to the Astros are bad news, but that changed into mostly positive developments.
Astros Roster Moves That Could Bring Huge Benefit
First was All-Star shortstop Jeremy Peña, who got activated off the injured list on May 18. This was a much-needed move that was heavily anticipated. Peña returned from a Grade 1 hamstring strain that he suffered on April 11 while running the bases in Seattle. Of course, given how the Astros season has gone, Jose Altuve was the one who was added to the injured list as Peña was activated. Peña played all three games against the Twins and hit three hits in 11 at-bats along with an RBI in the leadoff spot.
It’s been an injury-filled start to the season for Peña, who initially fractured the tip of his right ring finger during an exhibition game of the World Baseball Classic on March 4. While he was able to get healthy by opening day, the Astros eased him into the lineup as he initially started every other day. Peña was contributing well at that point and will look to pick up where he left off.
Peña’s Rehab Details
The 28-year-old just played in three rehab games for Double-A Corpus Christi and hit two doubles. A scary moment happened in his first rehab game, where Peña completely flipped over and landed hard while defending a ball in the infield. He also got hit by a pitch in the same game.
Jeremy Peña is having a nightmare rehab game. Flips over trying to field a throw then gets drilled by a pitch pic.twitter.com/ePqmO8NGU6
— Talkin’ Baseball (@TalkinBaseball_) May 13, 2026
Given the fact that Carlos Correa is out for the season, Peña’s return was desperately needed. Having him back solidifies the left side of the infield, and the Astros offense needs his bat at the top of the order to bring a spark. Peña was an MVP-type player for the Astros last season before suffering multiple mid-late-season injuries. He hit .304 with an .840 OPS in 125 games along with 150 hits, 17 home runs, and 62 RBIs.
Astros Bring Jake Meyers Back
Starting center fielder Jake Meyers officially got activated off the injury list the very next day on May 19. The Astros sent down Shay Whitcomb as a result. Meyers suffered a Grade 2 oblique strain on April 8, which is the exact same injury Altuve has. The 29-year-old had a moderate muscle tear after a swing in Colorado and missed just over a month.
Meyers went 1-for-7 with three strikeouts in two games against the Twins. The 6-foot, 200-pound center fielder played four rehab games with Double-A Corpus Christi last week and was just 1-for-16. He obviously still hasn’t gotten back into hitting form, but he is in shape and is a great outfielder to have. The Astros needed to make sure Meyers was fit after he was rushed back from a right calf strain in 2025, where he missed over two months of the season. It was a great season for Meyers up to that point, with a .292 average and 100 hits in 104 games, along with 24 RBI.
Astros Pitching Roster Move May Work Out
Lance McCullers Jr. once again has another injury and is currently dealing with right shoulder inflammation. He got placed on the 15-day IL after being scratched from his last start against the Twins on Tuesday. It’s been an inconsistent season for LMJ, who’s had his fair share of struggles and strong outings on the mound. The unfortunate timing continues, but it’s possible this could work out for the Astros.
Right-hander Jason Alexander was called up again from Triple-A Sugar Land after righty Cody Bolton was designated for assignment and then sent outright to Sugar Land. Alexander struggled mightily from the bullpen, but looked great as a starter on Tuesday. It’s likely he’ll take the spot of McCullers Jr. in the starting rotation.
A job well done. 👏#ChaseTheFight pic.twitter.com/2s83yxpYVa
— Houston Astros (@astros) May 20, 2026
Alexander looked like his 2025 self with the fourth-best start of his career. He went six shutout innings and allowed just four hits on 80 pitches (50 strikes). The 33-year-old was the biggest surprise for the Astros last season and was a consistent starter.
More Astros Bullpen Help
Another right-handed pitcher, flamethrower Nate Pearson, took McCullers Jr.’s spot on the roster. Pearson’s debut for the Astros was highly anticipated, and he finally joined the big league club in Minnesota after dealing with right elbow surgery recovery. The former first-round pick went through a lengthy rehab assignment and was activated on May 19. He pitched a scoreless ninth inning for the Astros on May 20.
Pearson’s velocity is exciting, and that will add another element to the Astros bullpen. He crossed over 101 mph in a rehab game and constantly was hovering around 99 in his first outing as an Astro. Pearson had five rehab games in Triple-A Sugar Land and ended with four straight scoreless outings. The Astros need whatever help they can get in the pen.
Chandler Rome of The Athletic announced that the Astros called up reliever Alimber Santa from Triple-A Sugar Land. Santa has a 1.42 ERA in 19 innings along with a 0.89 WHIP.
The Astros are calling up reliever Alimber Santa from Triple-A Sugar Land, source tells @TheAthletic. Santa, 23, has 24 strikeouts and a 0.895 WHIP in 19 innings this season. His first appearance will be his major-league debut. First: @hgomez27 and Yainer Diaz’s IG story.
— Chandler Rome (@Chandler_Rome) May 20, 2026
Additional Positive Injury News
More pitching reinforcements are on their way. Astros ace pitcher Hunter Brown ramped up to a live batting practice session on Tuesday in his recovery from a Grade 2 shoulder strain. Manager Joe Espada said Brown threw 22 pitches and reached 96 mph on the fastball.
Hunter Brown threw 22 pitches and touched 96 mph in a live BP yesterday, Joe Espada said. If Brown responds well, his next step would be to start a rehab assignment this weekend.
— Matt Kawahara (@matthewkawahara) May 20, 2026
A rehab assignment will likely begin this weekend for him, but it would be a lengthy spring training-like buildup of at least five starts. His expected return would be in mid-June at this point, according to general manager Dana Brown.
Cristian Javier also began throwing off a mound in his Grade 2 shoulder strain recovery. Additionally, outfielder Joey Loperfido recently ran the bases and will likely begin his rehab assignment this weekend as well from a right quad strain.
Main Photo Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images
