Astros Swept Again as Season Starts to Spiral and Injury List Continues to Grow

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The Seattle Mariners swept the Houston Astros for the first time since 2012. It also marks the second straight series in which the Astros have been swept, pushing their losing streak to eight games following a 6–2 loss in the series finale.

Houston opened the season strong with five straight wins during its seven-game homestand, but the momentum has disappeared since the team hit the road.

Now, the slump is being compounded by a growing injury list.

Here’s a look at who is out and why, per MLB:

Jeremy Peña (SS)

Peña exited the April 11 game against the Mariners with posterior right knee tightness after experiencing discomfort while running the bases. His return timeline remains uncertain.

Tatsuya Imai (RHP)

Imai is dealing with right arm fatigue after a difficult outing April 10 in Seattle, where he walked four batters and allowed three runs in one-third of an inning. He returned to Houston on April 11.

Cristian Javier (RHP)

Javier was placed on the injured list with a Grade 2 right shoulder strain after exiting his April 8 start early. He is expected to be reevaluated in two weeks, with no clear timetable for his return.

Jake Meyers (OF)

Meyers suffered a Grade 2 right oblique strain and exited the April 8 game mid at-bat. He has been placed on the injured list, and his return remains uncertain.

Hunter Brown (RHP)

Brown is dealing with a Grade 2 right shoulder strain and will not throw for several weeks. The team expects a reevaluation in two weeks. The injury is believed to be muscular, with no ligament damage.

Nate Pearson (RHP)

Pearson continues to recover from right elbow surgery and threw live batting practice April 10. There is still no set timetable for his return.

Josh Hader (LHP)

Hader is recovering from left biceps tendinitis after being shut down earlier this year. He has resumed bullpen work and could face hitters soon, with a possible return in late April or early May.

The pitching staff has taken the heaviest hit, forcing the Astros to lean on depth arms earlier than expected. The results haven’t matched the workload.

While reinforcements will eventually arrive, the early-season strain is already building. Over a long season, those extra, unplanned innings can quietly become one of the most decisive factors in a team’s trajectory.

Depth is being tested earlier than Houston planned for, exposing just how quickly injuries can reshape usage and expectations across a roster.