Astros Confirm Opening Day Roster Selections
The Astros confirmed multiple Opening Day roster moves ahead of the new season. Front-office decisions kept Jeremy Peña off the injured list to start the year.
Roster additions and 40-man maneuvering
Houston selected veteran catcher Christian Vázquez from Triple-A Sugar Land. The move required a 40-man roster spot, so César Salazar was designated for assignment.
The club also added right-hander Christian Roa to the big-league roster. To create room, lefty Brandon Walter was placed on the 60-day injured list while he recovers from UCL surgery.
Catcher outlook
Vázquez is the preferred defensive backup behind the plate. Salazar, 30, now faces a five-day DFA window for a potential trade or waiver claim.
In 67 major-league plate appearances, Salazar hit .232/.318/.268. He spent most of 2025 in Triple-A, hitting .213/.353/.353.
Injury report and IL placements
Outfielder Zach Dezenzo will begin the season on the 10-day injured list. He has a right elbow sprain.
Several pitchers opened the year on the 15-day IL. Those players include Ronel Blanco, Josh Hader, Enyel De Los Santos, Bennett Sousa, Nate Pearson, and Hayden Wesneski.
Blanco and Wesneski are candidates for a 60-day IL move later. That adjustment will occur if Houston needs an extra 40-man roster spot.
Pitching profile: Christian Roa
Roa, 26, made his big-league debut with Miami last season. He threw three scoreless innings in that debut.
This spring he impressed in Grapefruit League play. Roa logged 9 2/3 innings, allowed one earned run, struck out 36 percent of batters, and issued no walks.
He also posted a 2.83 ERA across 60 1/3 innings at Triple-A last year. Houston views him as a low-cost, high-upside bullpen option.
Outfield decisions and prospect promotion
Zach Cole was optioned to Triple-A after camp. The club reacquired Joey Loperfido to provide another left-handed outfield option.
Prospect Brice Matthews made the Opening Day roster. The former first-round pick hit .250/.400/.417 this spring and showed strong Triple-A numbers last year.
Drafted as a shortstop, Matthews has shifted to the outfield. The Astros’ infield depth pushed that positional change.
What this means for Houston
The moves emphasize defensive depth and pitching depth. Houston balanced veteran experience with youth on the final roster.
Filmogaz.com will monitor roster transactions as the season begins. Expect updates if any DFA or IL changes occur before the opener.
