Houston Astros Wiretap

The Houston Astros will trade veteran starter Lance McCullers Jr. to the Milwaukee Brewers. The move aims to reduce payroll and bring clarity to Houston's crowded pitching staff.

Triple-A left-hander Colton Gordon will head to Milwaukee as part of the package, according to a source. Gordon has thrown 95 1/3 major-league innings since debuting last season and carries five years of team control.

McCullers is in the final year of a five-year, $85 million extension he signed before the 2021 season. It remains unclear how much of the remaining salary Milwaukee will absorb. Multiple team sources said Houston has attempted to trade McCullers for much of the past year.

McCullers was previously included in a proposed package sent to the St. Louis Cardinals before the 2025 season in exchange for Nolan Arenado, a deal Arenado ultimately vetoed using his no-trade clause.

McCullers has battled significant injuries since 2021. He underwent Tommy John surgery in 2018 and flexor tendon repair in 2023, an operation that sidelined him for the 2023 and 2024 seasons.

McCullers has thrown just 359 2/3 innings since his Tommy John surgery, with more than half of that total coming during the 2021 season, the only year he has made more than 22 starts. He has made eight starts this season with a 6.86 ERA and is currently on the injured list with a rotator cuff impingement.

McCullers made his third minor-league rehab start last week, increasing his pitch count to 77 in that outing.

The Chicago White Sox selected UCLA shortstop Roch Cholowsky with the No. 1 overall pick Saturday, taking the consensus top prospect in this year's class despite late buzz around Grady Emerson and Vahn Lackey. Cholowsky posted a 1.088 OPS during his junior season and profiles as a well-rounded shortstop with a fast track to the majors.

The Tampa Bay Rays followed by selecting Fort Worth Christian High School shortstop Grady Emerson, the top-ranked high school position player in the draft. Emerson earned Gatorade National Player of the Year honors and fills a need for a Rays organization still searching for stability at shortstop.

The Minnesota Twins took Georgia Tech catcher Vahn Lackey third overall after he hit .397 with 20 home runs this season, continuing the school's pipeline of first-round catchers.

The San Francisco Giants then selected UC Santa Barbara right-hander Jackson Flora fourth, the top pitching prospect in a class considered thin on arms.

The Pittsburgh Pirates rounded out the top five by taking LSU outfielder Derek Curiel, a draft-eligible sophomore who batted .353 with strong instincts in center field.

2026 MLB Draft Results

First Round

1. Chicago White Sox: Roch Cholowsky, SS, UCLA
2. Tampa Bay Rays: Grady Emerson, SS, Fort Worth Christian HS (Texas)
3. Minnesota Twins: Vahn Lackey, C, Georgia Tech
4. San Francisco Giants: Jackson Flora, RHP, UC Santa Barbara
5. Pittsburgh Pirates: Derek Curiel, CF, LSU
6. Kansas City Royals: Zion Rose, LF, Louisville
7. Baltimore Orioles: Eric Booth Jr., CF, Oak Grove HS (Mississippi)
8. Athletics: Drew Burress, CF, Georgia Tech
9. Atlanta Braves: AJ Gracia, CF, Virginia
10. Colorado Rockies: Tyler Bell, SS, Kentucky
11. Washington Nationals: Chris Hacopian, 2B, Texas A&M
12. Los Angeles Angels: Jared Grindlinger, RF/LHP, Huntington Beach HS (California)
13. St. Louis Cardinals: Trevor Condon, CF, Etowah HS (Georgia)
14. Miami Marlins: Jacob Lombard, SS, Gulliver Prep HS (Florida)
15. Arizona Diamondbacks: Ryder Helfrick, C, Arkansas
16. Texas Rangers: Gio Rojas, LHP, Stoneman Douglas HS (Florida)
17. Houston Astros: Logan Hughes, LF, Texas Tech
18. Cincinnati Reds: Justin Lebron, SS, Alabama
19. Cleveland Guardians: Liam Peterson, RHP, Florida
20. Boston Red Sox: Jake Schaffner, SS, North Carolina
21. San Diego Padres: Coleman Borthwick, RHP, South Walton HS (Florida)
22. Detroit Tigers: Cameron Flukey, RHP, Coastal Carolina
23. Chicago Cubs: Cade Townsend, RHP, Mississippi
24. Seattle Mariners: Ace Reese, 3B, Mississippi State
25. Milwaukee Brewers: Trey Ebel, SS, Corona HS (California)
26. Atlanta Braves: Carter Beck, CF, Indiana State
27. New York Mets: Carson Wiggins, RHP, Arkansas
28. Houston Astros: Jack Radel, RHP, Notre Dame
29. San Francisco Giants: Carson Bolemon, LHP, Southside Christian HS (South Carolina)
30. Kansas City Royals: Taylor Rabe, RHP, Mississippi
31. Arizona Diamondbacks: Blake Bryant, RHP, Citizen's Christian HS (Georgia)
32. St. Louis Cardinals: Tegan Kuhns, RHP, Tennessee
33. Tampa Bay Rays: Taj Marchand, SS, James Island Charter HS (South Carolina)
34. Chicago White Sox: Landon Thome, SS, Nazareth Academy HS (Illinois)
35. New York Yankees: Hunter Dietz, LHP, Arkansas
36. Philadelphia Phillies: Tyler Spangler, SS, De La Salle HS (California)
37. Colorado Rockies: Daniel Jackson, C, Georgia

Second Round

38. Colorado Rockies: Logan Reddemann, RHP, UCLA
39. Toronto Blue Jays: Cole Carlon, LHP, Arizona State
40. Los Angeles Dodgers: Bo Lowrance, 3B, Christ Church Episcopal HS (South Carolina)
41. Chicago White Sox: Cole Prosek, 3B/C, Magnolia Heights HS (Mississippi)
42. Washington Nationals: Chase Brunson, OF, TCU
43. Minnesota Twins: Carson Tinney, C, Texas
44. Pittsburgh Pirates: Aiden Ruiz, SS, The Stony Brook HS
45. Los Angeles Angels: Jarren Advincula, 2B, Georgia Tech
46. Baltimore Orioles: Ty Head, OF, North Carolina State
47. Athletics: Mason Edwards, P, USC
48. Atlanta Braves: Kaiden McCarthy, P, Vermont Academy
49. Tampa Bay Rays: Ben Blair, P, Liberty
50. St. Louis Cardinals: Rocco Maniscalco, SS, Oxford HS
51. Pittsburgh Pirates: Chris Rembert, 2B, Auburn
52. Miami Marlins: Ethan Kleinschmit, P, Oregon State
53. Arizona Diamondbacks: Carson Kerce, SS, Georgia Tech
54. Texas Rangers: Connor Comeau, 3B, Anderson HS (Texas)
55. San Francisco Giants: Kaden Waechter, P, Jesuit HS (Florida)
56. Kansas City Royals: Jack Slightom, P, Lyons Township HS (Illinois)
57. Houston Astros: Wes Mendes, P, Florida State
58. Cincinnati Reds: Eric Becker, 3B, Virginia
59. Cleveland Guardians: Logan Schmidt, P, Ganesha HS (California)
60. San Diego Padres: Elliot Lascelles, SS, Upper Canada College HS
61. Detroit Tigers: Tyson LeBlanc, SS, Kansas
62. Chicago Cubs: Caden Sorrell, OF, Texas A&M
63. New York Yankees: Sean Duncan, P, Terry Fox SS (Canada)
64. Philadelphia Phillies: Caden Bogenpohl, OF, Missouri State
65. Seattle Mariners: Jake Brown, OF, LSU
66. Milwaukee Brewers: Sawyer Strosnider, OF, TCU

Competitive Balance Round B

67. Boston Red Sox: Owen Hull, OF, North Carolina
68. St. Louis Cardinals: Andrew Williamson, OF, Central Florida
69. Detroit Tigers: Evan Dempsey, P, Florida Gulf Coast
70. Cincinnati Reds: Mulivai Levu, 1B, UCLA
71. Miami Marlins: Ryan Peterson, P, Sam Houston State
72. St. Louis Cardinals: Dawson, Montesa P, West Virginia
73. Athletics: Gabe Gaeckle, P, Arkansas
74. Minnesota Twins: Brett Renfrow, P, Virginia Tech

Compensation Picks

75. Chicago Cubs: Myles Bailey, 1B, Florida State

Third Round

76. Colorado Rockies: Jack Natili, C, Cincinnati
77. Chicago White Sox: Joey Volchko, P, Georgia
78. Washington Nationals: Luke Williams SS, Franklin Regional HS (Pennsylvania)
79. Minnesota Twins: Ethan Wachsmann, P, Grandview HS (Colorado)
80. Pittsburgh Pirates: Jason DeCaro, P, North Carolina
81. Los Angeles Angels: Gavin Grahovac, 3B, Texas A&M
82. Baltimore Orioles: Dominic Voegele, P, Kansas
83. Athletics: Jacob Dudan, P, North Carolina State
84. Atlanta Braves: Jensen Hirschkorn, P, Kingsburg HS (California)
85. Tampa Bay Rays: Gavin Giese, P, Dana Hills HS (California)
86. St. Louis Cardinals: Caden Ferraro OF, Texas Tech
87. Miami Marlins: Cam Kozeal SS, Arkansas
88. Arizona Diamondbacks: Brayden Dowd OF, Florida State
89. Texas Rangers: Brody Bumila P, Bishop Feehan HS (Mass.)
90. San Francisco Giants: Peyton Bonds OF, Rutgers
91. Kansas City Royals: Maxx Yehl P, West Virginia
92. New York Mets: Aiden Robbins OF, Texas
93. Houston Astros: Keon Johnson SS, First Presbyterian HS (Georgia)
94. Cincinnati Reds: Ty Horn P, Nebraska
95. Cleveland Guardians: Tre Broussard, OF, Houston
96. Boston Red Sox: Jace Mataczynski, SS, Hudson HS (Wisconsin)
97. San Diego Padres: Ryan Lynch, P, North Carolina
98. Chicago Cubs: Carson Jasa, P, Nebraska
99. New York Yankees: Brendan Brock, C, Oklahoma
100. Philadelphia Phillies: Ruger Riojas, P, Texas
101. Seattle Mariners: Nathan Taylor, P, Cincinnati
102. Milwaukee Brewers: Kyle Jones, OF, Florida
103. Toronto Blue Jays: Ryan Cooney, SS, Oregon

Fourth Round

104. Colorado Rockies: Ben Davis, P, Mississippi State
105. Chicago White Sox: Eric Segura, P, Oregon State
106. Washington Nationals: Cooper Harris, P, Flower Mound HS (Texas)
107. Minnesota Twins: Tommy LaPour, P, TCU
108. Pittsburgh Pirates: Andruw Giles, OF, Basic HS (Nevada)
109. Los Angeles Angels: Rylan Lujo, OF, Georgia
110. Baltimore Orioles: Kevin Roberts Jr., OF, Jackson Prep HS (Mississippi)
111. Athletics: Roman Martin, SS, UCLA
112. Atlanta Braves: Cole Dennis, P, Bishop Snyder HS (Florida)
113. Tampa Bay Rays: Collin Bland, OF, Houston HS
114. St. Louis Cardinals: Dee Kennedy, SS, Kansas State
115. Miami Marlins: Wessley Roberson, OF, Glynn Academy HS (Georgia)
116. Arizona Diamondbacks: Josh McDevitt, P, Missouri
117. Texas Rangers: Hudson Calhoun, P, Mississippi
118. San Francisco Giants: Carlos Martinez, P, Hofstra
119. Kansas City Royals: Dominic Battista, OF, Oswego East HS (Illinois)
120. New York Mets: Shane Sdao, P, Texas A&M
121. Houston Astros: Kam Durnin, SS, Missouri
122. Cincinnati Reds: Ethan Norby, P, East Carolina
123. Cleveland Guardians: Kade Lewis, 3B, Wake Forest
124. San Diego Padres: Robbie Lavey, C, George Washington
125. Detroit Tigers: Dominic Pellegrin, SS, Holy Cross HS (Louisiana)
126. Chicago Cubs: Dylan Marionneaux, P, Northwestern State
127. New York Yankees: Paul Contreras, OF, Cal State Fullerton
128. Philadelphia Phillies: Deven Sheerin, P, LSU
129. Seattle Mariners: Trevor Lucas 3B, UNC Wilmington
130. Milwaukee Brewers: Julian Garcia, P, St. John Bosco HS (California)
131. Toronto Blue Jays: Will Brick, C, Christian Brothers HS (Tennessee)
132. Los Angeles Dodgers: Russell Sandefer, P, Florida

Comp Picks

133. Houston Astros: Beau Peterson, 3B, Mill Valley HS (Kansas)
134. San Diego Padres: Alex Conover, OF, Oklahoma State
135. Philadelphia Phillies: Jaxon Jelkin, P, Kentucky

Justin Verlander announced Wednesday that he will retire following the 2026 season, closing out a 21-year career with the Detroit Tigers, the organization where he began his journey to a likely Hall of Fame induction.

"This season has challenged me in ways I haven't experienced before, both physically and mentally," wrote Verlander in a social media statement. "I've always believed that as long as I could compete at the level I expect of myself, I'd keep playing. I never wanted to retire because of a milestone, a number, or a date on the calendar. I wanted the game to tell me when it was time.

"Over the last several months, I've realized that time has come. While I'm fully committed to giving my team everything I have for the rest of this season, I've decided this will be my last."

Verlander, the 2011 American League MVP and a two-time World Series champion, also earned his 10th All-Star selection Wednesday as a "Legend Pick" from commissioner Rob Manfred. The three-time Cy Young Award winner signed a one-year, $13 million contract with Detroit this offseason, returning to the franchise where he spent his first 13 major league seasons.

Injuries have limited Verlander to just one start this year. The right-hander landed on the 60-day injured list with a left hip issue before later suffering a left hamstring injury in June that further delayed his return.

"It's fitting that I get to finish where it all started, with the Detroit Tigers, the organization that drafted me and gave me my first opportunity," wrote Verlander. "Baseball has given me more than I could have imagined. It taught me discipline, resilience, and the value of continuing to adapt and evolve."

Tigers manager A.J. Hinch said the hamstring injury would sideline Verlander for an extended period. According to the team's latest medical update, Verlander is playing catch and completing daily rehab work, though he has not yet resumed throwing off a mound.

Verlander currently has a 266-159 career record and a 3.33 ERA across 21 seasons.

Major League Baseball revealed its 2026 All-Star Game starting lineups Saturday, with Los Angeles Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani topping the fan vote and three teammates joining him in the National League's starting group.

Ohtani will serve as designated hitter for the NL, appearing alongside Freddie Freeman at first base, Max Muncy at third and Andy Pages in the outfield. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said Friday that Ohtani probably won't pitch in the exhibition after they altered his workload schedule.

Additional NL starters include Juan Soto of the New York Mets, Brandon Marsh of the Philadelphia Phillies, CJ Abrams of the Washington Nationals, and Atlanta Braves duo Ozzie Albies and Drake Baldwin.

American League voting leader Ernie Clement will start alongside fellow Toronto Blue Jays infielder Vladimir Guerrero Jr., though Guerrero has since withdrawn from the game. Athletics first baseman Nick Kurtz will replace him after winning the players' vote at that position.

Tampa Bay Rays third baseman Junior Caminero, Kansas City Royals shortstop Bobby Witt Jr., Athletics catcher Shea Langeliers and Houston Astros designated hitter Yordan Alvarez round out the AL infield and battery. Mike Trout, Aaron Judge and Byron Buxton comprise the American League's starting outfield.

This year's contest takes place July 14 at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia. Fans selected the starters, while a combination of league officials and current players, managers and coaches chose the reserves.

The Dodgers, Braves and Phillies each landed a league-best five All-Stars apiece. Five starters, Langeliers, Clement, Baldwin, Marsh and Pages, earned their first career selections, while Freeman and Chris Sale are making their 10th appearances.

Trout returns for his 12th All-Star nod and first since 2023, currently recovering from a hamstring injury but expected to play. MLB will feature players wearing original team uniforms this year rather than specialized event jerseys.

American League All-Stars

Starters
C: Shea Langeliers (ATH)
1B: Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (TOR)
2B: Ernie Clement (TOR)
3B: Junior Caminero (TB)
SS: Bobby Witt Jr. (KC)
OF: Mike Trout (LAA)
OF: Byron Buxton (MIN)
OF: Aaron Judge (NYY)
DH: Yordan Alvarez (HOU)

Reserves

C: Dillon Dingler (DET)
C: Adley Rutschman (BAL)
INF: Travis Bazzana (CLE)
INF: Nick Kurtz (ATH)
INF: Kevin McGonigle (DET)
INF: Ben Rice (NYY)
INF: Miguel Vargas (CWS)
OF: Randy Arozarena (SEA)
OF: Cody Bellinger (NYY)
OF: Riley Greene (DET)
DH: Yandy Díaz (TB)

Reserves

C: Dillon Dingler (DET)
C: Adley Rutschman (BAL)
INF: Travis Bazzana (CLE)
INF: Nick Kurtz (ATH)
INF: Kevin McGonigle (DET)
INF: Ben Rice (NYY)
INF: Miguel Vargas (CWS)
OF: Randy Arozarena (SEA)
OF: Cody Bellinger (NYY)
OF: Riley Greene (DET)
DH: Yandy Díaz (TB)

Starting Pitchers

RHP: Dylan Cease (TOR)
LHP: Parker Messick (CLE)
RHP: Drew Rasmussen (TB)
RHP: Joe Ryan (MIN)
RHP: Cam Schlittler (NYY)
LHP: Ranger Suarez (BOS)
RHP: Michael Wacha (KC)

Relief Pitchers

RHP: Bryan Baker (TB)
LHP: Aroldis Chapman (BOS)
LHP: Jacob Latz (TEX)
RHP: Cade Smith (CLE)
RHP: Louis Varland (TOR)

National League All-Stars

Starters
C: Drake Baldwin (ATL)
1B: Freddie Freeman (LAD)
2B: Ozzie Albies (ATL)
3B: Max Muncy (LAD)
SS: CJ Abrams (WSH)
OF: Brandon Marsh (PHI)
OF: Juan Soto (NYM)
OF: Andy Pages (LAD)
DH: Shohei Ohtani (LAD)

Reserves

C: William Contreras (MIL)
C: Hunter Goodman (COL)
INF: Luis Arraez (SF)
INF: Bryce Harper (PHI)
INF: Otto Lopez (MIA)
INF: Matt Olson (ATL)
INF: Sal Stewart (CIN)
OF: Corbin Carroll (AZ)
OF: Pete Crow-Armstrong (CHC)
OF: Jordan Walker (STL)
OF: James Wood (WSH)
DH: Kyle Schwarber (PHI)

Starting Pitchers

RHP: Chase Burns (CIN)
RHP: Max Meyer (MIA)
RHP: Jacob Misiorowski (MIL)
LHP: Eduardo Rodriguez (AZ)
LHP: Chris Sale (ATL)
LHP: Cristopher Sánchez (PHI)
RHP: Paul Skenes (PIT)
RHP: Logan Webb (SF)
RHP: Yoshinobu Yamamoto (LAD)

Relief Pitchers

RHP: Jhoan Duran (PHI)
RHP: Raisel Iglesias (ATL)
RHP: Mason Miller (SD)
RHP: Dylan Cease (TOR)
LHP: Parker Messick (CLE)
RHP: Drew Rasmussen (TB)
RHP: Joe Ryan (MIN)
RHP: Cam Schlittler (NYY)
LHP: Ranger Suarez (BOS)
RHP: Michael Wacha (KC)

Relief Pitchers

RHP: Bryan Baker (TB)
LHP: Aroldis Chapman (BOS)
LHP: Jacob Latz (TEX)
RHP: Cade Smith (CLE)
RHP: Louis Varland (TOR)

The Houston Astros signed outfielder LaMonte Wade Jr. and promoted catcher Collin Price to the major league roster Thursday.

Price will take the place of backup catcher César Salazar, who was designated for assignment Thursday.

Wade, who was released by the White Sox on Monday, has been in Triple-A all season. His last appearance in the majors came last season when he played 30 games for the Angels. A seven-year MLB veteran, Wade has also played for the Twins and Giants.

The Houston Astros have pitched several combined no-hitters. This one might have been the biggest surprise.

Japanese right-hander Tatsuya Imai threw six hitless innings after walking three of the first four batters he faced Monday night. Steven Okert then got three outs before Alimber Santa made his major league debut and retired the final six hitters to complete the Astros' 17th regular-season no-hitter -- four of them combined efforts -- in a 9-0 win over the Texas Rangers.

"The first inning, you never thought that this was going to be the outcome of the game," manager Joe Espada said. "Imai, he continued to compete. ... He continued to pound the zone, he fought through it. Six strong innings, and then the rest is history."

With nearly two months of the 2026 season complete, 22 players from the preseason MLB top 100 prospect list have graduated from eligibility, reshuffling the rankings ahead of what figures to be an active trade deadline season.

Milwaukee Brewers shortstop Jesus Made, 19, moves to the top spot after posting 90th percentile exit velocities that rank among big league averages despite playing in Double-A. His ability to control the strike zone and his defensive profile stand out, though scouts note his swing produces insufficient lift to translate his raw power into home run totals. If that changes in the second half, a significant ranking jump could follow.

Among the most notable movers is Boston Red Sox shortstop Franklin Arias, who climbs from 36th to sixth after posting improved exit velocity and lift rates while maintaining contact. Athletics shortstop Leo De Vries jumps to second after his profile helped pry All-Star closer Mason Miller from Oakland. Pittsburgh Pirates right-hander Seth Hernandez rises from 49th to seventh after slider and fastball shape improvements unlocked his ceiling.

Notable graduates from the list include the previous top two prospects, Konnor Griffin and Kevin McGonigle, along with Samuel Basallo, JJ Wetherholt, Bubba Chandler, Carson Benge, Andrew Painter, and Carson Williams, among others.

Seven players currently on active big league rosters remain eligible but could graduate within weeks.

Top-50 MLB Prospects

60FV
1. Jesus Made, SS, Milwaukee Brewers (Previous: 3)
2. Leo De Vries, SS, Athletics (Previous: 11)
3. Colt Emerson, SS, Seattle Mariners (Previous: 6)
4. Max Clark, CF, Detroit Tigers (Previous: 8)
5. Sebastian Walcott, SS, Texas Rangers (Previous: 5)
6. Franklin Arias, SS, Boston Red Sox (Previous: 36)
7. Seth Hernandez, RHP, Pittsburgh Pirates (Previous: 49)
8. Eli Willits, SS, Washington Nationals (Previous: 41)
9. Kade Anderson, LHP, Seattle Mariners (Previous: 16)
10. George Lombard Jr., SS, New York Yankees (Previous: 20)
11. Travis Bazzana, 2B, Cleveland Guardians (Previous: 23)
12. Walker Jenkins, CF, Minnesota Twins (Previous: 9)
13. Trey Yesavage, RHP, Toronto Blue Jays (Previous: 14)
14. A.J. Ewing, CF, New York Mets (Previous: 28)
15. Rainiel Rodriguez, C, St. Louis Cardinals (Previous: 19)
16. Aidan Miller, SS, Philadelphia Phillies (Previous: 10)
17. Ryan Sloan, RHP, Seattle Mariners (Previous: 24)

55 FV
18. Josue De Paula, LF, Los Angeles Dodgers (Previous: 21)
19. Josuar Gonzalez, SS, San Francisco Giants (Previous: 30)
20. Ethan Salas, C, San Diego Padres (Previous: 110)
21. Ryan Waldschmidt, CF, Arizona Diamondbacks (Previous: 63)
22. Thomas White, LHP, Miami Marlins (Previous: 18)
23. Alfredo Duno, C, Cincinnati Reds (Previous: 29)
24. Connor Prielipp, LHP, Minnesota Twins (Previous: 54)
25. Caleb Bonemer, 3B, Chicago White Sox (Previous: 34)
26. Luis Pena, SS, Milwaukee Brewers (Previous: 26)
27. Ethan Holliday, SS, Colorado Rockies (Previous: 66)
28. Liam Doyle, LHP, St. Louis Cardinals (Previous: 50)
29. Tyler Bremner, RHP, Los Angeles Angels (Previous: 56)
30. Theo Gillen, CF, Tampa Bay Rays (Previous: 92)
31. Ralphy Velazquez, 1B, Cleveland Guardians (Previous: 33)
32. Jett Williams, SS, Milwaukee Brewers (Previous: 32)
33. JoJo Parker, SS, Toronto Blue Jays (Previous: 52)
34. Zyhir Hope, RF, Los Angeles Dodgers (Previous: 40)

50 FV
35. Cam Caminiti, LHP, Atlanta Braves (Previous: 53)
36. Jonah Tong, RHP, New York Mets (Previous: 31)
37. Noah Schultz, LHP, Chicago White Sox (Previous: 96)
38. Kaelen Culpepper, SS, Minnesota Twins (Previous: 79)
39. Angel Genao, SS, Cleveland Guardians (Previous: 80)
40. Gage Jump, LHP, Athletics (Previous: 42)
41. Jhonny Level, SS, San Francisco Giants (Previous: 84)
42. Emmanuel Rodriguez, CF, Minnesota Twins (Previous: 97)
43. Josh Hammond, SS, Kansas City Royals (Previous: 132)
44. Edward Florentino, CF, Pittsburgh Pirates (Previous: 78)
45. Eduardo Quintero, CF, Los Angeles Dodgers (Previous: 37)
46. Anthony Eyanson, RHP, Boston Red Sox (Previous: NR)
47. Eduardo Tait, C, Minnesota Twins (Previous: 38)
48. Didier Fuentes, RHP, Atlanta Braves (Previous: 88)
49. River Ryan, RHP, Los Angeles Dodgers (Previous: 125)
50. Jamie Arnold, LHP, Athletics (Previous: 60)

Houston Astros second baseman Jose Altuve has a Grade 2 left oblique strain and will be placed on the injured list, manager Joe Espada said Sunday.

Altuve had an MRI following an awkward swing in which he didn't run after hitting a grounder to third base in the eighth inning of Saturday's victory against the Texas Rangers. He didn't play Sunday. 

Espada didn't provide a timeline for how long they expect Altuve to be out.

Houston Astros infielder Carlos Correa will miss the rest of the 2026 season after suffering a complete tendon tear in his left ankle, the 31-year-old confirmed to reporters Wednesday. He is expected to undergo surgery, with a recovery timeline of six to eight months.

Correa said the injury occurred Tuesday during a routine batting cage session before Houston's game against the Los Angeles Dodgers.

"It just completely snapped on me and then I fell to the ground," Correa said. "I couldn't put weight on it. Right away, I knew something was wrong."

The veteran infielder was batting .279 with 3 home runs and 16 RBIs across 37 games this season, splitting time between shortstop and third base.

"Very tough," Correa said. "Not what I was expecting, but now it's time to deal with it, face it head on, and focus on the rehab."

Correa is playing under the six-year, $200 million contract he signed with the Minnesota Twins in January 2023. Approximately $103.4 million remained on the deal at the time of his trade to Houston last season, with the Twins covering roughly $33 million of that balance. The contract runs through the 2028 season, with a 2029 option that could extend his commitment further.

The loss represents a significant blow to Houston's roster. Correa is represented by WME Baseball agents Richard Cook and Jon Rosen.

Houston Astros general manager Dana Brown offered a public backing of Joe Espada on Sunday, telling The Athletic that the team is not considering a managerial change amid its slow start to the season.

The Astros are 11-18 after salvaging a three-game series against the New York Yankees with a 7-4 win Sunday in Houston.

Speaking to The Athletic before the game, Brown said Houston's problems don't fall on Espada, its third-year manager.

"No. Joe is managing through the injuries," Brown told the outlet. "We are all watching what's going on.