Steven

Okert

This is a tough one for the Astros; Okert has a 2.13 ERA and has allowed just 45 hits in 67 2/3 innings as one of Josh Hader’s main setup men. There’s no timeline for a return just yet and hamstrings are tricky things; they’ll try to manage the AL West race without him for at least the next two weeks.

Imai authored one of the strangest performances of the season, somehow holding the Rangers hitless for six innings despite issuing four walks and recording just two strikeouts. He threw only 57 of 97 pitches for strikes, but stayed around the zone enough to avoid damage, retiring 15 of the final 16 batters he faced. Okert followed with a scoreless seventh before Santa made his big-league debut, retiring the final six hitters in impressive fashion to complete the first combined no-hitter in the majors since 2024. Imai remains a challenging pitcher to forecast given that he’s barely throwing his splitter in games at this point. He’ll face the Brewers at home to wrap up a two-start week on Sunday.

Weiss followed opener Steven Okert — who threw 2/3 of an inning and gave up a run — and unsurprisingly, it didn’t go particularly well. The 29-year-old gave up two solo homers, walked four and allowed eight hits to make his five strikeouts essentially meaningless. Weiss may get a chance to work as a bulk pitcher again, but fantasy managers should look pretty much anywhere else.

Ryan Weiss could serve as a bulk guy, though the Astros might also add a pitcher before the game. Okert has a 4.50 ERA in 16 relief appearances this season.

Okert pitched 71 2/3 innings for the Astros last year, logging a 3.01 ERA, 0.89 WHIP, and 84/19 K/BB ratio. He was also an impactful reliever for the Marlins back in 2021-22 and will be a key part of the Astros bullpen again.

Steven Okert and Bennett Sousa are seen as the top candidates by MLB.com’s Brian McTaggert. It’ll be the first time the Astros have used a true opener this season. The team does have AJ Blubaugh on the taxi squad to potentially pitch as a bulk guy tonight, but he’s yet to be officially activated. If Blubaugh is activated, he’d still probably be sent down tomorrow to make room for Spencer Arrighetti.

Hader took the mound in the bottom of the ninth with the game tied to try to extend the game. He struck out two batters in a clean frame. Hader returned for the tenth and struck out two more to send it to the 11th. Steven Okert got the save in the 12th inning with a one-run lead.

Rodgers will serve as the primary second baseman while Jose Altuve is out in left field; however, Mauricio Dubon will mix in as well. Montero, Okert, and Gusto will begin the year in the bullpen.

Okert heads to Houston as extra left-handed relief depth after struggling to a lackluster 5.09 ERA, 1.50 WHIP and 33/16 K/BB ratio across 35 1/3 innings (44 appearances) last season with the Twins. The 33-year-old veteran southpaw has made 272 appearances in the big leagues dating back to 2016. He’ll compete in spring training for a spot in the Astros’ season-opening bullpen.

Okert passed through waivers after being designated for assignment over the weekend and will stick around with the Twins as extra organizational relief depth. The 33-year-old southpaw struggled to a pedestrian 5.09 ERA, 1.50 WHIP and 33/16 K/BB ratio across 35 1/3 innings (44 appearances) this season in his Minnesota debut. He’s made 272 career appearances in the big leagues dating back to 2016.