Astros Gear Up for Spring Training with New Faces and Familiar Stars

From Japanese star Tatsuya Imai to 2025 AL Cy Young finalist Hunter Brown, the Astros have plenty to watch as they aim to return to the postseason.

Published on Feb. 11, 2026

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The Houston Astros are gearing up for spring training with a mix of new faces and familiar stars. Among the newcomers are Japanese pitcher Tatsuya Imai and Mike Burrows, who came over in a trade from the Pirates. But the real star power lies in the returning players, led by 2025 American League Cy Young Award finalist Hunter Brown. Other key players like Jose Altuve, Carlos Correa, Yordan Alvarez, and Jeremy Peña will also be back as the Astros look to return to the postseason after a one-year hiatus.

Why it matters

The Astros have a deep and talented roster, but they also have some tough decisions to make, particularly in the infield where they have too many quality players. A trade could be in the works to address this, and the development of young outfielders like Zach Cole and Cam Smith will also be something to watch. The team's rotation depth and leadership from Carlos Correa will also be crucial factors as the Astros aim to bounce back from a disappointing 2025 season.

The details

The Astros made adding starting pitching depth a top priority this offseason, bringing in Imai, Burrows, Nate Pearson, and Ryan Weiss to join a rotation that already includes Hunter Brown, Cristian Javier, and Lance McCullers Jr. This gives the Astros plenty of options, with some pitchers potentially starting the year in the minors to provide rotation depth. In the infield, the Astros have a surplus of talent, with third baseman Isaac Paredes and first baseman Christian Walker both potential trade candidates. Correa, who was re-acquired in a midseason trade last year, is expected to provide strong leadership for the team after the departure of Alex Bregman.

  • The Astros' pitchers and catchers will hold their first workout of spring training on Wednesday, February 15, 2026.
  • The full squad will report to camp in the days that follow, with players like Altuve, Correa, Alvarez, and Peña expected to be among those walking through the doors.

The players

Tatsuya Imai

A Japanese star pitcher who is expected to be part of the Astros' rotation this season.

Mike Burrows

A pitcher who came over in a trade from the Pirates and is also expected to be in the Astros' rotation.

Hunter Brown

The 2025 American League Cy Young Award finalist who will anchor the Astros' pitching staff.

Jose Altuve

The veteran second baseman who is returning to the Astros' lineup.

Carlos Correa

The shortstop who was re-acquired by the Astros in a midseason trade last year and is expected to provide strong leadership for the team.

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What they’re saying

“Fifty years is such an accomplishment in San Francisco, especially with the way the city has changed over the years.”

— Gordon Edgar, grocery employee (Instagram)

What’s next

The Astros will continue to monitor the trade market for potential moves to address their infield surplus, and the competition for roster spots in the outfield and rotation will be something to watch closely as spring training progresses.

The takeaway

The Astros have a deep and talented roster, but they'll need to navigate some tricky roster decisions and ensure strong leadership and chemistry to return to the postseason after a one-year absence. The development of their young players and the performance of their star-studded rotation will be key factors in determining their success in 2026.