Astros vs. Mariners Game Thread: Game 43, 5/12/2026

Q: What is Tatsuya Imai's current status for the Astros vs. Mariners game?

Tatsuya Imai is returning from the injured list to start for the Astros against the Mariners.

Q: How have the Astros performed against the Mariners historically?

The Astros have a 132-102 all-time record against the Mariners, including 68-54 at home.

Q: What injuries are affecting the Astros roster for the game against the Mariners?

Carlos Correa is out for the season after ankle surgery, while Jeremy Peña and Jake Meyers are on rehab assignments.

Q: What are Yordan Alvarez's current statistics this season?

Yordan Alvarez is batting .314 with 10 home runs and 29 RBIs, ranking highly in several offensive categories in the AL.

SEATTLE, WASHINGTON - APRIL 10: Tatsuya Imai #45 of the Houston Astros delivers a pitch during the first inning against the Seattle Mariners at T-Mobile Park on April 10, 2026 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Jack Compton/Getty Images) | Getty Images **TONIGHT’S GAME:** The Houston Astros (16-26) will continue their homestand tonight in the second game of a four-game series against the rival Seattle Mariners (20-22). Astros starter **RHP Tatsuya Imai** (1-0, 7.27 ERA) returns from the IL today after a bout with arm fatigue to face off against the Mariners and **RHP Bryan Woo** (2-2, 4.02 ERA). **ASTROS ROSTER MOVES:** The Astros have reinstated RHP Tatsuya Imai from the 15-day IL today. In a corresponding move, the Astros optioned **RHP Logan VanWey** to Triple A after last night’s game. **ABOUT IMAI:** RHP Tatsuya Imai is set to make his fourth career Major League start tonight and his first in over a month after missing 26 team games with right arm fatigue. Imai made two minor league starts on his way back, last pitching on May 5 vs. Triple A Albuquerque (1ER/3IP). In January, the Astros signed Imai to a three-year deal. In 2025, he was an All-Star for the Seibu Lions in the NPB in Japan, where he went 10-5 with a 1.92 ERA (35ER/163.2IP) in 24 games. **VS. SEATTLE:** The Astros and Mariners are playing their second series of the 2026 season this week in Houston. The Astros are looking for revenge, as they were swept in a four-game series in Seattle earlier this season from April 10-13. Houston is 132-102 all-time against the Mariners, including a 68-54 record at home. **ABOUT THE SKIPPER:** Astros manager **Joe Espada** has 191 career managerial victories which ties him with **Harry Craft** (1962-64) for 12th in franchise history. The two immediately trail **Jimy Williams** (215) for 11th on that all-time list. **CORREA UNDERGOES SURGERY: IF ** underwent successful peroneus brevis tendon repair surgery on his left ankle yesterday. He will be sidelined for the remainder of the 2026 season. **THE ORDER:** The Astros have used 42 different batting orders in their 42 games so far this season. Only **LF ** has started every game in the same spot in the lineup (second). **AIR YORDAN:** DH Yordan Alvarez is batting .314 (49×156) with 10 doubles, 13 HR, 29 RBI and a 1.044 OPS (.416 OBP/.628 SLG). In the AL, he ranks first in total bases (98), tied for first in extra-base hits (23), second in OPS, tied for second in hits, third in SLG, tied for third in homers, tied for third in RBI, fourth in OBP, and tied for fourth in batting average. **EXTRA! EXTRA!:** DH Yordan Alvarez has 355 career extra-base hits, which ties him with **3B Doug Rader** for 10th in extra-base hits in Astros franchise history. The two immediately trail **1B Bob Watson** (410) for ninth on that all-time list. **GUN ‘EM DOWN:** In just 19 games, **C Christian Vázquez** has thrown out nine baserunners attempting to steal (in 22 attempts), leading the AL and ranking third in the Majors in that category. **WALKER, TEXAS HAMMER: 1B ** is hitting .301 (22×73) in his last 19 games (since April 20) with five homers and 11 RBI. Among AL players this season, Walker ranks tied for sixth in extra-base hits (18), seventh in total bases (78), seventh in SLG (.513), and ninth in RBI (27). **HIT PAREDES: 3B ** is hitting .338 (25×74) with a .402 OBP and a .902 OPS in his last 20 games, dating back to April 19. He’s hit safely in 16 of those 20 games and has reached base safely in 18 of last 20 games. **CLIMBING THE CHARTS:** With 238 career homers as a second baseman, **** needs one more to tie **Lou Whitake**r for seventh place all-time in MLB history among second basemen. Altuve also needs two RBI to become the fifth player in franchise history to reach 900. **STARS DOWN IN CORPUS: SS ** (right hamstring strain) and **CF Jake Meyers** (right oblique strain) will begin minor league rehab assignments tonight at Double A Corpus Christi. They’ll be joined by **LHP ** (left biceps tendinitis), who had his rehab assignment transferred to Corpus Christi today. **MINOR LEAGUE HONORS:** **RHP Angel Peralta** was named the Florida Complex League Pitcher of the Week for the week of May 4-10. Peralta made one start during the week, tossing 5.0 scoreless innings, while allowing just one hit en route to a win on May 6 vs. the FCL Cardinals. **TODAY IN ASTROS HISTORY**: 1995 – A year after the player’s strike, which canceled the 1994 World Series, the Astros extend an olive branch to their fans by offering free tickets to the Astros-Phillies game at the Astrodome. 30,828 end up in attendance.