AJ Blubaugh - MLB News, Rumors, & Updates

Former Ohio substitute teacher makes first appearance in front of hometown crowd CLEVELAND — As he walked off the mound at Progressive Field for the first time, AJ Blubaugh was afraid to look up into the stands. The sight...

6 HOURS AGO • MLB.COM

Michael Lorenzen throws efficiently into the 6th, Rockies beat Astros 9-1 to complete 3-game sweep

Hunter Goodman homered, Michael Lorenzen bounced back from a rough home opener by throwing efficiently into the sixth and the Colorado Rockies beat the Houston Astros 9-1 to comple...

APRIL 8 • Associated Press

Astros lose outfielder Jake Meyers, righty Cristian Javier with injuries in short span

The Houston Astros had a pair of players leave the game with injuries in the span of a few minutes during Wednesday's game against Colorado

APRIL 8 • Associated Press

Strong showing to begin 2026 Blubaugh has allowed one run on two hits, striking out six without a walk, across 5.1 innings in three appearances for the Astros this season. He earned his first career hold in We...

Impact Blubaugh seems to be finding his niche -- and climbing the ladder -- in the Houston bullpen, as he already has a win and now a hold through three outings to begin the 2026 season. The 25-year-old right-hander has averaged 96.4 mph on his four-seam fastball, up multiple ticks from last season when he broke in as more of a swingman. Houston figures to keep him shortened up a bit so he can max out with his impressive stuff and provide valuable leverage innings while the team navigates the absence of closer Josh Hader (biceps).

APRIL 3 • ROTOWIRE

Mike Trout homers to kick off what he hopes will be a healthy 2026 as Angels blank Astros 3-0

Mike Trout homered to launch what he hopes will be a bounce-back season, leading the Los Angeles Angels to a 3-0 win over the Houston Astros on opening day

MARCH 26 • Associated Press

Competing for final rotation spot Blubaugh is a candidate to fill one of the Astros' final two rotation spots, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

Impact Houston will open the year with a six-man rotation to smooth Tatsuya Imai's transition from the NPB. Per Rome, Spencer Arrighetti and Lance McCullers are the early favorites to claim the final two spots, though Blubaugh, along with Ryan Weiss and Peter Lambert, remains in the mix and could bolster his case with a strong spring. Blubaugh was impressive as a rookie in 2025, posting a 1.69 ERA with a 0.88 WHIP and 35 strikeouts across 32 innings. Even if he doesn't crack the rotation out of camp, Blubaugh figures to make the Opening Day roster as a bullpen option.

FEBRUARY 23 • ROTOWIRE

Word of the Day helps bridge language gap on Astros' multinational roster WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. -- Astros pitcher AJ Blubaugh was one of the first to greet new teammate Tatsuya Imai in the early days of camp last w...

FEBRUARY 17 • MLB.COM

Walks four in no-decision Blubaugh allowed a hit and four walks while striking out two over four scoreless innings in a no-decision versus the Angels on Saturday.

Impact Blubaugh threw just 35 of 70 pitches for strikes, but the Angels weren't able to take advantage. He kept runs off the board in his last eight appearances, spanning 19 innings in which he had a 20:8 K:BB. The 25-year-old posted a 1.69 ERA, 0.88 WHIP and 35:11 K:BB over 42 innings across 11 appearances (three starts) in his first taste of major-league action, which is much more impressive than his 5.27 ERA and 101:58 K:BB over 99 innings with Triple-A Sugar Land this year.

SEPTEMBER 28, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Walks four in no-decision Blubaugh allowed a hit and four walks while striking out two over four scoreless innings in a no-decision versus the Angels on Saturday.

SEPTEMBER 28, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Walker hits 2 homers as Astros beat Angels 6-1 after getting knocked out of playoff contention

Christian Walker homered twice and the Houston Astros beat the Los Angeles Angels 6-1, a couple of hours after getting eliminated from playoff contention

SEPTEMBER 28, 2025 • Associated Press

Returning to starting role Saturday Blubaugh is slated to start Saturday's game against the Angels in Anaheim, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

Impact The rookie right-hander has handled a versatile role for the Astros down the stretch, as he'll be making his second start in September after having yet to yield a run while striking out 17 and scattering five hits and four walks across 14 innings. Though he'll be taking the hill Saturday on six days' rest, Blubaugh may not be stretched out enough to reach the five innings he would need to qualify for a win. Most likely, the Astros will plan for an abbreviated start for Blubaugh before turning to a slew of higher-leverage bullpen arms to close out the contest as Houston looks to remain alive in the AL wild-card race.

SEPTEMBER 27, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Racks up sevens Ks in short start Blubaugh struck out seven and scattered two hits and one walk over three scoreless innings in his start during Tuesday's 6-5 win over the Rangers. He didn't factor into the decisio...

Impact Called upon to make his second start of the season in what was essentially a bullpen game for the Astros, Blubaugh was electric out of the gate, striking out the first four batters he faced on his way to racking up an eye-popping 21 called or swinging strikes on only 50 pitches before giving way to Colton Gordon. Blubaugh has been outstanding in September, working 11 consecutive scoreless innings with 16 strikeouts and four walks. The rookie carries a 2.16 ERA, 0.92 WHIP and 32:7 K:BB across 25 innings this season. He'll likely shift back to the bullpen temporarily but could be called upon when the Astros next require a fifth starter during the final series of the regular season versus the Angels.

SEPTEMBER 17, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Racks up sevens K's in short start Blubaugh didn't factor into the decision against the Rangers on Tuesday, allowing two hits and one walk while striking out seven across three scoreless innings.

Impact Blubaugh was electric out of the gate, striking out each of the first four batters he faced and racking up seven punchouts across just nine outs recorded before giving way to Colton Gordon, who handled the middle innings. The right-hander has been outstanding in September, working 11 consecutive scoreless innings with 16 strikeouts and four walks. The rookie now carries a 2.16 ERA, 0.92 WHIP and 32:7 K:BB across 25 innings this season and is slated to make his next start against the Athletics next week.

SEPTEMBER 17, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Astros hold off Rangers 6-5 to keep pace in AL West and improve wild-card position

Jeremy Peña went 3 for 3 with a walk and scored twice, Jose Altuve drove in two runs and the Houston Astros held on for a 6-5 victory over the Texas Rangers

SEPTEMBER 17, 2025 • Associated Press

Astros rookie Zach Cole powers 6-3 win over Rangers in place of injured Yordan Alvarez

Zach Cole homered and drove in three runs after replacing injured slugger Yordan Alvarez in the lineup, and the Houston Astros beat the Texas Rangers 6-3 in the opener of a pivotal...

SEPTEMBER 16, 2025 • Associated Press

Slated for spot start Blubaugh will start Tuesday's game against the Rangers, Julia Morales of AT&T SportsNet Southwest reports.

Impact Blubaugh worked 3.1 frames during Tuesday's matchup against Toronto, so he should be able to provide some length in his upcoming start despite working only one inning Friday in Atlanta. He's made four appearances for Houston through the first few weeks of September, firing eight scoreless innings while striking out nine and walking three.

SEPTEMBER 16, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Astros crush Braves 11-3 as Zach Cole homers in first MLB at-bat

Zach Cole hit a home run in his first major league at-bat, Jose Altuve hit his 25th homer of the season and the Houston Astros routed the Atlanta Braves 11-3

SEPTEMBER 13, 2025 • Associated Press

Astros RHP Luis Garcia exits start against Blue Jays in 2nd inning because of sore right elbow

Houston Astros right-hander Luis Garcia exited Tuesday’s game at Toronto in the second inning because of a sore right elbow

SEPTEMBER 9, 2025 • Associated Press

Recalled from Triple-A The Astros recalled Blubaugh from Triple-A Sugar Land on Tuesday, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

Impact Blubaugh has made one start and two relief appearances for the Astros this season, yielding 11 runs (six earned) with a 15:3 K:BB over 13 innings. He will pitch out of the bullpen.

AUGUST 26, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Sent back to Triple-A The Astros optioned Blubaugh to Triple-A Sugar Land on Sunday.

Impact Blubaugh's latest stint with the big club lasted just one day, as the right-hander was put to work in long relief in Saturday's 9-8 win over the Orioles and was unlikely to be available for at least the next few days. The Astros recalled John Rooney from Triple-A to join the bullpen as a replacement for Blubaugh, who struck out four and gave up two earned runs on three hits and one walk over four innings during Saturday's appearance en route to picking up his second win.

AUGUST 24, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Sent back to Triple-A The Astros optioned Blubaugh to Triple-A Sugar Land on Sunday.

AUGUST 24, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Walker homers for 3rd straight game, leading Astros to a 9-8 win over Orioles

Christian Walker homered for a third-straight game and the Houston Astros went deep four times in a 9-8 victory over the Baltimore Orioles on Saturday night

AUGUST 24, 2025 • Associated Press

Astros DFA pitcher, call up rookie on Saturday | Sporting News The Houston Astros decided to designate right-handed pitcher Shawn Dubin to make room for AJ Blubaugh on the MLB roster before their game ag...

AUGUST 24, 2025 • SPORTINGNEWS.COM

Summoned back to majors Houston recalled Blubaugh from Triple-A Sugar Land on Saturday, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Impact Blubaugh has made two big-league appearances (one of which was a start) totaling nine innings so far in his debut MLB campaign, giving up four runs on eight hits with an 11:2 K:BB. His numbers haven't been great at Sugar Land, as he's registered a 5.27 ERA, 1.57 WHIP and 101: 58 K:BB across 99 frames, but the Astros will look to the right-hander for some pitching depth while he's up with the team. The Astros don't have an immediate opening in their rotation, and Luis Garcia (elbow) is nearing a return from the injured list, so Blubaugh figures to work as a long reliever with the big-league club.

AUGUST 23, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Astros call up AJ Blubaugh from Triple-A | Sporting News Astros re-call pitcher AJ Blubaugh after making his Major League debut earlier this season.

AUGUST 23, 2025 • SPORTINGNEWS.COM

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