Week 22 of 2025 brings a tight, catcher-friendly waiver wire for starting pitchers. Rookie breakdowns and back-end rotation bets headline shallow leagues, while deeper rosters get a richer pool of options. Nolan McLean and Dean Kremer anchor the top-streamers, with Bubba Chandler, Dustin May, Cristian Javier, Cam Schlittler and Cade Cavalli among the more intriguing adds. Additional depth comes from Cade Cavalli, Mike Burrows, Cade Povich, Davis Martin and Luis Morales, plus a handful of under-15% rostered arms that could surprise in the pennant chase. Proactive FAAB and daily lineup discipline are urged as the weekend approaches.

rostering, matchup awareness, and role clarity drive the week’s decisions. The piece emphasizes evaluating early-season form, pitcher usage trends, and whether a bulking relief role can translate into meaningful starts. The message: add pitchers before they wake up in your league, monitor innings, and exploit favorable matchups as teams push toward playoffs.

Houston clings to the AL West lead as Seattle closes in on a seven-game win streak, pulling within a half-game despite Houston’s post-deadline wobble. August hasn’t been kind to the Astros (4-5), but the return of key arms is shifting the relief-or-rotation balance. Cristian Javier is set to take the mound in the series opener against Boston, fresh off a 60-day IL reinstatement, while Spencer Arrighetti has already come back from a fractured finger. Houston also reshaped the roster, optioning Colton Gordon and DFA’ing Cooper Hummel as they navigate outfield depth and fill the rotation with returning starters. In fantasy terms, the Astros’ rotation depth is getting a real boost just as the schedule tightens, while the DFA’s ripple effect could open or close doors for certain bullpen and everyday players. The Mariners’ surge keeps the stakes high for managers chasing weekly wins and streamers, especially with the Red Sox looming for Houston.

Arrighetti’s return adds a longer-term option to Houston’s rotation, and Javier’s imminent return solidifies the top of the order. The moves around Hummel cap a stretch of roster churn that usually signals opportunity for other outfielders and bench options, even as the club looks to stabilize the lineup. For fantasy players, the storyline centers on who absorbs extra innings and where order and leverage shift in the bullpen as the Astros balance rest days with push-the-envelope starts. With Boston awaiting, Houston’s staff will be tested, but the depth could be the separator in a tight AL West race.

Hummel’s line this season (36 games: .170/.298/.273, 3 HR, 7 RBI) underlines why the DFA was warranted given the outfield logjam, and his departure removes a veteran lefty bat from a crowded pipe line. The underlying takeaway for fantasy managers is to monitor how Houston re-stacks its outfield and how Arrighetti and Javier slot back into a rotation that’s finally getting healthy. Seattle’s momentum adds urgency to every Astros decision, and the Red Sox series could become a proving ground for the Astros’ evolving balance of offense and pitching.

After addressing their injury-ridden batting lineup through trades, the Houston Astros are focusing on bringing back key pitchers from the injured list before the postseason. General manager Dana Brown has opted not to pursue additional starters, confident that Spencer Arrighetti, Cristian Javier, J.P. France, and Luis Garcia will return soon. However, concerns are mounting regarding Garcia's recovery from Tommy John surgery, as he continues to struggle during rehabilitation starts.

Garcia's latest outing was particularly troubling, where he allowed three earned runs over 2.2 innings while only reaching a pitch count of 50. With his 30-day rehab window closing soon and uncertainty about his readiness to return as a starter, the Astros may consider extending his assignment. Garcia's setbacks have left him without a major league appearance for over two years, complicating his timeline as the team looks ahead to the playoffs.

Yordan Alvarez, the Houston Astros' formidable slugger, has commenced hitting practice again after a lengthy hiatus due to a right hand injury that has kept him sidelined since early May. After facing a setback due to inflammation, he is now back engaging in light swings off a tee, working toward a return to the lineup. His progress is promising, as he is scheduled for additional hitting sessions.

Meanwhile, the Astros are managing the rehabilitation of several pitchers recovering from surgeries, with Cristian Javier and Spencer Arrighetti slated for minor-league assignments. This highlights the team's depth as they navigate injuries while remaining competitive in the AL West.

The Houston Astros face a challenging offseason as they lose key players like Yusei Kikuchi and potentially Justin Verlander and Alex Bregman. The unexpected trade of Kyle Tucker to the Chicago Cubs has left fans concerned about the team's future lineup.

In return for Tucker, the Astros acquired Isaac Paredes, prospect Cam Smith, and pitcher Hayden Wesneski, who is thrilled to join his hometown team. Wesneski, with a solid track record, is expected to step into a starting role, providing depth as the Astros navigate injuries to other pitchers.