Steven Okert Placed on IL with Hamstring Strain

Steven Okert is heading to the injured list with a hamstring strain, per Brian McTaggart of MLB.com, removing one of Houston's more reliable bullpen options from the active roster.

The nature of hamstring injuries means timetables are rarely tidy, and nothing in the reporting specifies when Okert might be available again. What remains unconfirmed is the severity of the strain and any projected return window.

Why it matters

For a Houston bullpen that has been navigating its share of roster turbulence, losing Okert is a meaningful subtraction. The Astros are also still waiting on Carlos Correa, who has been ramping up rehab and targeting a return during the 2026 season after an injury absence — meaning the organization is managing multiple moving parts on the health front simultaneously.

What to watch

Houston recently brought Brent Strom back into the organization in an advisory role supporting pitching coaches Josh Miller and Ethan Katz, so there is at least some additional pitching infrastructure in place as the staff absorbs this loss. Who fills Okert's role in the 'pen, and for how long, is the open question.