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HOUSTON, TEXAS – AUGUST 11: Joe Espada #19 of the Houston Astros prepares for a game against the Boston Red Sox at Daikin Park on August 11, 2025 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Alex Slitz/Getty Images)
On Thursday night, the Houston Astros will open up the 2026 regular season when they host Mike Trout and the Los Angeles Angels in Texas.
Like all teams, the Astros are finalizing their roster ahead of Opening Day.
Houston Astros Release 4-Year MLB Player
GettySEATTLE, WASHINGTON β APRIL 07: Manager Joe Espada #19 of the Houston Astros reacts before the game against the Seattle Mariners at T-Mobile Park on April 07, 2025 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)
Before Thursdayβs showdown, Matt Kawahara of The Houston Chronicle reported roster news.
Kawahara wrote: βPeter Lambert requested and was granted his release from his minor-league deal, Joe Espada said. The Astros told Lambert over the weekend he would not make the major-league roster.β
GettyJUPITER, FLORIDA β FEBRUARY 26: Peter Lambert #38 of the Houston Astros throws a pitch against the St. Louis Cardinals during the first inning of a spring training game at Roger Dean Stadium on February 26, 2026 in Jupiter, Florida. (Photo by Rich Storry/Getty Images)
Lambert last played in the MLB during the 2024 season.
He went 2-5 with a 5.72 ERA in 28 games for the Colorado Rockies.
GettyPHOENIX, ARIZONA β SEPTEMBER 04: Peter Lambert #20 of the Colorado Rockies delivers in the first inning against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field on September 04, 2023 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images)
Lambertβs MLB Career
GettyDENVER, COLORADO β AUGUST 11: Peter Lambert #20 of the Colorado Rockies walks off the field after pitching a scoreless fifth inning against the Atlanta Braves at Coors Field on August 11, 2024 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images)
The 28-year-old was picked in the second round of the 2015 MLB Draft.
He has spent all four seasons of his MLB carer playing for Colorado.
Over 74 games, Lambert has gone 8-19 with a 6.28 ERA.
Javier Gonzalez of Pelota Cubana USA wrote on January 18 (translated to English): βPeter Lambert is one of the 23 non-roster invitees that the #Astros are taking to Spring Training camp outside their 40-man roster. Taken by the Rockies in 2015 (2nd round), he was unable to fulfill his potential in MLB and moved to Japan in 2025:
116.1 IP | 123 H | 55 ER | 52 BB | 104 K | ERA: 4.26β
GettyJUPITER, FLORIDA β FEBRUARY 26: Peter Lambert #38 of the Houston Astros throws a pitch against the St. Louis Cardinals during the first inning of a spring training game at Roger Dean Stadium on February 26, 2026 in Jupiter, Florida. (Photo by Rich Storry/Getty Images)
Astros Heading Into 2026
GettyHOUSTON, TEXAS β APRIL 22: Manager Joe Espada #19 of the Houston Astros reacts during the fourth inning against the Toronto Blue Jays at Daikin Park on April 22, 2025 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Alex Slitz/Getty Images)
The Astros are coming off a year where they went 87-75.
They were the second-place team in the AL West (behind the Seattle Mariners).
GettyANAHEIM, CALIFORNIA β SEPTEMBER 26: Jose Altuve #27 of the Houston Astros at bat against the Los Angeles Angels in the first inning at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on September 26, 2025 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
The Astros missed the 2025 MLB playoffs.
They last won a World Series Championship during the 2017 season (when they beat the Los Angeles Dodgers).
Ben Stinar Ben Stinar has been covering the NBA for over seven years.Β He has written for OnSI, Forbes, Amico Hoops, The Big Lead and had a podcast with former All-Star Jameer Nelson. More about Ben Stinar
