Houston elevated Jordan Weems to bolster a fresh bullpen arm before the series finale with Boston, after a prior stint and a brief return on a minor-league deal. The right-hander owns a 3.06 ERA in 15 Sugar Land outings and can provide multiple innings if needed, giving the Astros a bridge option as they chase wins.

Colton Gordon was recalled to supplement the pitching staff. He worked two innings in a lopsided loss to Boston, carrying a 5.64 ERA over 68 2/3 innings this season across 13 starts and two relief appearances. The move heightens bullpen depth as Houston navigates a tight stretch run.

The moves signal a focus on length and versatility in Houston’s relief corps, leveraging Weems’ fastball and Gordon’s multi-inning capability to stabilize late innings and cover starters’ exits. The Astros' intent is to win series and protect leads with adaptable bullpen options.

Boston’s backdrop remains a test for Houston’s bullpen decisions as the teams clash in a critical series arc, with Weems and Gordon stepping into roles that could shape late-inning matchups and fantasy implications for speculative rosters.

The Astros reshaped their roster, optioning Colton Gordon to Sugar Land to clear a spot for Cristian Javier, who was activated to start the series opener with Boston. Cooper Hummel was designated for assignment to create 40-man space. Jacob Melton, Houston's top outfield prospect, was recalled to join the active roster. Gordon will continue to stretch out in Triple-A as Houston positions its pitching depth with injuries easing.

Gordon, 26, debuted in mid-May and logged 13 starts and a single relief appearance across 66⅔ innings, posting a 5.27 ERA. The plan is to keep him stretched out and ready for a potential return in late August or September if needed. The club also activated Spencer Arrighetti last week, adding to a rotation once decimated by injuries. Melton’s arrival gives the Astros another youthful bat on the roster as they navigate a busy stretch run against the Red Sox.

Yankee Stadium’s Old-Timers’ Day stitched history to today as the Yankees honored the 2000 World Series champs and Astros players roamed the field for autographs, trading stories with a who’s who of pinstripe legends. Cooper Hummel led a small Astros contingent seeking signatures from Pettitte, Bernie Williams, Jorge Posada, and Mariano Rivera, while Dwight Gooden signed for Joe Espada. The moment underscored how the game’s lineage fuels its present and even nudges fantasy rosters toward a longer view of development.

Hummel’s enthusiasm was contagious: a baseball nerd soaking in the craft, he listened as Rivera’s cutter mindset—shared in a quick, practical chat with Colton Gordon—offered a blueprint for a rookie’s approach. Mauricio Dubón paused with Orlando Hernández and Rivera; the day framed a full-circle arc of mentorship, where yesterday’s greats illuminate today’s prospects. The scene blended nostalgia with a clear message: growth in MLB comes from listening, asking questions, and weaving history into today’s grind.

As the field cleared, the takeaway was simple: big-league life is a privilege, and moments like this sharpen craft by pairing curiosity with the wisdom of legends who once walked the same turf.

The Houston Astros have made a roster move by optioning right-hander AJ Blubaugh to Triple-A Sugar Land, allowing for the activation of Spencer Arrighetti. Arrighetti returns to the mound after nearly four months on the injured list due to a fractured thumb. Blubaugh, in his recent appearance, pitched five innings and earned his first major league win in a game against the Miami Marlins, where Houston triumphed 7-3. With this adjustment, Arrighetti joins a competitive rotation alongside Framber Valdez, Hunter Brown, Colton Gordon, and Jason Alexander.

The Houston Astros are bracing for the return of reinforcements to their starting rotation, having opted against adding new pitchers at the trade deadline. With Spencer Arrighetti scheduled for a potential return in the upcoming Miami series after a successful Triple-A rehab outing, the Astros hope to stabilize their rotation. Cristian Javier continues his recovery from Tommy John surgery, while Luis Garcia and JP France are still building their pitch counts in rehab starts. Lance McCullers Jr. faces uncertainty as his eligibility comes up following a finger blister injury.

Despite a recent loss to the Boston Red Sox, where the Astros fell 7-3, their current rotation of Framber Valdez, Hunter Brown, Colton Gordon, and Jason Alexander has shown resilience. However, Gordon's performance against the Red Sox, surrendering six runs, highlights the pitching struggles the team has faced amid injuries, meaning the Astros must navigate these challenges carefully as they work to maintain their lead in the AL West.