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June 16: RHP Luis Contreras called up from Triple-A Sugar Land; RHP Nick Hernandez optioned
Contreras, who has a 1.40 ERA in 19 1/3 innings pitched for Triple-A Sugar Land this season, was called up to the Astros on Sunday. In a corresponding move, Hernandez was optioned to Sugar Land after throwing 3 2/3 innings in Saturday’s loss to the Tigers.

June 16: RHP Justin Verlander (neck discomfort) could return vs. White Sox
Manager Joe Espada said on Sunday that Verlander could return as soon as this week’s upcoming series against the White Sox in Chicago. Espada added that Verlander pitching in Chicago is a “strong possibility,” depending on Chicago's pitching lineup.

Verlander was scratched from his start on Saturday against the Tigers due to neck discomfort. Spencer Arrighetti, who was slated to start on Sunday, took Verlander’s place. Espada said Verlander has been dealing with neck issues for the last few weeks while trying to pitch through it, but Verlander had to cut his bullpen session short this week. The Astros do not think this is an IL situation.

“Any time you miss a start, it’s not something you want to have happen,” Verlander said when he was scratched. “Honestly, day to day is a good thing. The fact it’s good enough that it’s, ‘OK, we don’t have to put you on the IL,’ you have to trust the trainers, trust everybody you're talking to and I think the prognosis is pretty good.” Read more >

June 15: RF Kyle Tucker (right shin contusion) may need rehab assignment
Tucker, who was placed on the 10-day IL on June 7 -- retroactive to June 4 -- after fouling a ball off his right shin on June 3, was unavailable on Saturday after being previously ruled out for Friday, the first day that he could have been activated off the IL.

“He’s feeling better,” manager Joe Espada said on Saturday. “He’s in the weight room. I feel like every day he’s doing a little bit more work. The soreness is kind of going away, [but] not totally -- which is much better.”

While Espada was positive about Tucker's condition, he added that a rehab assignment could be in the mix if Tucker "doesn't start running around here [in] the next day or two."

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10-DAY/15-DAY INJURED LIST

RF Kyle Tucker (right shin contusion)
Expected return: Mid-to-late June
Tucker was placed on the injured list on June 7, retroactive to June 4, after he fouled a ball off his right shin on June 3. He had anticipated returning to the lineup on the first day possible (June 14). However, manager Joe Espada indicated on June 15 that Tucker may have to go on a rehab assignment if he "doesn't start running around here [in] the next day or two."

“He’s feeling better,” Espada said. “He’s in the weight room. I feel like every day he’s doing a little bit more work. The soreness is kind of going away, [but] not totally -- which is much better.” (Last updated: June 15)

LINF Zach Dezenzo (wrist, No. 4 on Astros Top 30 Prospects list)
Expected return: TBD
Dezenzo, who was limited in Major League camp with a wrist injury, was sent on a rehab assignment with the Rookie-level Florida Complex League Astros on June 3, although the game was postponed. He appeared in 31 games last year at High-A Asheville and 63 games at Double-A Corpus Christi, where he hit .257 with 14 homers and 41 RBIs as a third baseman. (Last updated: June 3)

60-DAY INJURED LIST

RHP Cristian Javier (Tommy John surgery)
Expected return: 2025
Javier underwent Tommy John surgery on June 6, ending his 2024 season. He was unable to throw a scheduled bullpen session due to right forearm discomfort and was placed on the IL on May 27 for the second time this season. He was previously on the IL from April 21 to May 11 with neck discomfort. The right-hander was 3-1 with a 3.89 ERA in seven starts with the Astros this year, including three quality starts. Javier was moved to the 60-day IL on June 16. (Last updated: June 16)

RHP Lance McCullers Jr. (right forearm surgery)
Expected return: August
McCullers threw a 30-pitch bullpen session on June 14 in Houston, working in fastballs, changeups, cutters and sinkers. He's progressing on schedule after missing the 2023 season following surgery performed on June 13 to repair his flexor tendon and remove a bone spur.

The right-hander had rehabbed to the point that he was close to facing hitters in mid-May of last year, but another setback ultimately led to surgery. (Last updated: June 14)

RHP José Urquidy (Tommy John surgery)
Expected return: 2025
Urquidy underwent Tommy John surgery on June 5. He was pulled out of his May 24 rehab start at Triple-A after experiencing right forearm inflammation. (Last updated: June 7)

RHP Luis Garcia (Tommy John surgery)
Expected return: Late July
Garcia threw a 25-pitch live batting practice at Minute Maid Park on June 7, which marked another significant step toward his return from Tommy John surgery, which he underwent just over a year ago. Garcia will soon go to the Astros’ Spring Training facility in West Palm Beach, Fla., where he will “hopefully throw two or three more live BPs” before he might get out on a rehabilitation assignment, manager Joe Espada said. (Last updated: June 7)

RHP Penn Murfee (right elbow surgery)
Expected return: August
Murfee, claimed off waivers on March 27 from the Braves, won't be able to help the Astros until midseason after undergoing UCL surgery in 2023. He had surgery July 5 of last year. He's progressed to throwing off the slope of the mound. (Last updated: May 4)

RHP Oliver Ortega (elbow surgery)
Expected return: July
Ortega underwent surgery to remove loose bodies in his right elbow, the Astros announced March 21. He was expected to miss three to four months. Ortega appeared in two Spring Training games in relief before being sidelined with elbow discomfort. He joined the Astros after being claimed off waivers from the Twins on Oct. 25. Ortega appeared in 10 games for the Twins in 2023, going 0-1 with a 4.30 ERA while tallying 14 strikeouts in 14 1/3 innings pitched. He was transferred to the 60-day IL on April 9 to make room on the 40-man roster for Wander Suero. (Last updated: April 9)

LHP Bennett Sousa (left shoulder inflammation)
Expected return: 2025
Sousa was headed towards a spot on Houston's Opening Day roster before what he described as an inflamed nerve sent him to the IL to begin the season. Sousa said he experienced some numbness and soreness in his hand and "tried to grind through it." He underwent surgery for thoracic outlet syndrome on April 3 and was shut down for the season. (Last updated: April 6)

RHP Kendall Graveman (right shoulder labral surgery )
Expected return: 2025
Graveman, acquired by the Astros for the second time at last year’s Trade Deadline, posted a 2.42 ERA in 23 appearances for Houston in August and September but didn’t pitch in the playoffs because of right shoulder discomfort. He underwent season-ending surgery in January. (Last updated: March 28)

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