Astros' Steven Okert to open Tuesday's game

Reliever will start against the Marlins in Houston

Published on Feb. 10, 2026

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The Houston Astros have announced that relief pitcher Steven Okert will serve as the opening pitcher in Tuesday's game against the Miami Marlins. Okert has been a key part of the Astros' bullpen this season, often being used in high-leverage situations.

Why it matters

Okert's role as an opener demonstrates the Astros' willingness to utilize creative pitching strategies to gain an advantage. Openers have become more common in MLB as teams look to maximize their pitching staff's effectiveness.

The details

Okert will be the first pitcher to take the mound for the Astros in Tuesday's game against the Marlins. He will likely pitch the first inning or two before handing the ball off to another Astros pitcher to finish the game. Okert has been a reliable arm out of the bullpen for Houston this season, posting a 3.12 ERA in 43 appearances.

  • The game is scheduled for Tuesday, February 10, 2026.

The players

Steven Okert

A relief pitcher for the Houston Astros.

Houston Astros

A Major League Baseball team based in Houston, Texas.

Miami Marlins

A Major League Baseball team based in Miami, Florida.

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What’s next

The Astros will continue to monitor Okert's performance as an opener and determine if they will utilize the strategy again in future games.

The takeaway

The Astros' decision to use Okert as an opener demonstrates their willingness to employ innovative pitching strategies to gain an advantage over their opponents.