This long-time injured Houston Astros pitcher appears to be finding his footing at the time when he is needed most.

Starter Hayden Wesneski was ruled out for the season on Sunday, and Ronel Blanco has become the latest pitcher added to the injured list due to concerning elbow inflammation. Additionally, the team is still missing Spencer Arrighetti in its starting rotation because of a broken finger, and he is likely to be out for a few more weeks.

Entering Friday, the Astros only trailed the Twins by fWAR as the most valuable bullpen in baseball through the season’s first forty-something games. Joe Espada’s decision to remove Bryan King in favor of Bryan Abreu to face Julio Rodríguez with a runner on base was the turning point.

The Houston Astros got their massive four-game series against their first place division rival Seattle Mariners off on the right foot on Thursday night. With a chance to turn things on their head this weekend,

Signed to a minor-league deal last winter, Steven Okert has a 1.90 ERA with Astros and has improved his whiff rate to 36%.

The Mariners again relied on the long ball on Friday night, this time homering their way to a win over the Astros with Cal Raleigh providing the biggest blast.

The Mariners figured they’re better off jogging around the bases instead.

Placing Ronel Blanco on the injured list Thursday means three-fifths of Houston's season-opening starting rotation is sidelined.

Jose Altuve homered twice and had a season-high four RBIs and Jeremy Peña tripled for his 500th career hit to help the Houston Astros to a 9-2 win over the Seattle Mariners.

Houston Astros slugger Yordan Alvarez took a small step toward returning from a hand injury by hitting off a pitching machine, manager Joe Espada said Friday. Alvarez did not hit against a machine on the field.