Astros News and Notes 3/16/2026

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WEST PALM BEACH, FL - MARCH 03: Cristian Javier #53 of the Houston Astros pitches during the game between the Team Venezuela and the Houston Astros at CACTI Park of the Palm Beaches on Tuesday, March 3, 2026 in West Palm Beach, Florida. (Photo by Lawrence Brown/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images

The latest updates on the Houston Astros from Spring Training:


Cristian Javier continues to strengthen his arm and get ready for the regular season. His velocity, while still not as high as it was pre-injury, has improved from his last outing:

Cristian Javier's velo was up a tick today vs. Marlins

4 innings
2 hits
0 runs
1 walk
5 strikeouts
56 pitches (38 strikes, 11 whiffs)

Four-seam velo: 92.3 average (91.7 on March 9).
Sweeper and sinker up a bit.

— Brian McTaggart (@brianmctaggart) March 15, 2026

Manager Joe Espada liked what he saw from Javier:

Astros manager Joe Espada on Javier pic.twitter.com/TfNK3eQado

— Brian McTaggart (@brianmctaggart) March 15, 2026

Astros #1 prospect OF Kevin Alvarez made his first appearance of spring with the Astros in a Grapefruit League game. The 18-year old went 0-3 but did put a sting into this ball:

Kevin Alvarez lined out to SS in his second at-bat (102.7 mph off the bat). pic.twitter.com/JtbikLWU3K

— Brian McTaggart (@brianmctaggart) March 15, 2026

Espada was impressed with the young Alvarez:

Espada on Kevin Alvarez pic.twitter.com/JcEjXDXWkE

— Brian McTaggart (@brianmctaggart) March 15, 2026

Yordan Alvarez (Alvarez the Greater) was impressed with what he saw from Kevin Alvarez (Alvarez the Younger).

Yordan Alvarez likes what he sees in top prospect Kevin Alvarez

“It’s a beautiful swing. I was joking with him and I told him, ‘When I was 18 I didn’t hit the ball that hard.’”https://t.co/Kb2rbOOB7J

— Brian McTaggart (@brianmctaggart) March 16, 2026

Yordan (Alvarez the Greater) also said he feels good about where his swing is currently:

After a weekend in which he hit his first home run of the spring, Astros slugger Yordan Alvarez says he's feeling "pretty good." https://t.co/Cfvc4GTPJr

— Chronicle Astros (@ChronAstros) March 15, 2026

Another of the Astros’ top prospects, Brice Matthews, has been getting some reps in CF as the team tries to find out how versatile he can be since he is blocked at his regular 2B position by Jose Altuve. He came into yesterday’s game and played LF, his first appearance at the position. It’s not out of the realm of possibility Matthews is a call up this season if he can also play OF, and that he could get a significant look.

Brice Matthews now playing left field in this game, with Kevin Alvarez moving to right field.

— Brian McTaggart (@brianmctaggart) March 15, 2026

Jeremy Pena is feeling better and hopes to be ready by Opening Day. though that decision is still undecided:

Jeremy Peña is feeling good. He can juggle with nine working fingers. He's also fielding ground balls, throwing plyo balls, taking one-handed batting practice and still thinks he can be ready by Opening Day – https://t.co/25ACDjum0a

— Chandler Rome (@Chandler_Rome) March 15, 2026

Spencer Arrighetti will throw a simulated game today before leaving the team for a few days for the birth of his twins:

Spencer Arrighetti will throw in a simulated game on Monday and then leave Astros camp and head back to Houston in anticipation of the birth of his twins. Arrighetti won't come back to Florida, but there's a chance he pitches against Sugar Land during the exhibitions in Houston

— Chandler Rome (@Chandler_Rome) March 15, 2026

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