Houston Astros Injury Report Ahead of Series Finale Against the Philadelphia Phillies

The Houston Astros are coming off a tough 11-7 loss against the Philadelphia Phillies on Wednesday, which now ties the series at 1-1, so it will be interesting to see how the Astros are able to respond.

While a response from Houston will be critical, something that is even more important is staying healthy. So, let's take a look at the Astros' injury report ahead of the series finale against the Phillies.

First up is shortstop Carlos Correa, who is still recovering from the surgery he had to repair the peroneus brevis tendon that he tore in his left ankle. As a result of the injury, Correa was placed on the IL on May 6th and was moved to the 60-day IL on June 2nd. Currently,  it does seem very possible for Correa to return at some point this season.

In terms of status, Correa has progressed to running the bases, taking batting practice, and fielding drills. The next task for Correa will be taking live at-bats in batting practice, and based on the update given on September 9th, that could happen later this week. With that in mind, it is worth watching if Correa's timetable is updated.

Next is outfielder Brice Matthews, who continues to deal with a left knee sprain that placed him on the IL on July 17th, and after that, he was moved to the 60-day IL on August 19th. Matthews' return is still to be determined, so it will be interesting to see how he progresses.

For Matthews' progress, he actually played seven innings in a Florida Bridge League game on September 8th, and based on the update on September 9th, he is expected to join Triple-A Sugar Land on September 10th, so it will be interesting to see how he progresses at that point.

The third player up is left-handed pitcher Steven Okert who is batting through a right hamstring strain that placed him on the 15-day IL on September 4th, which is retroactive to September 1st. 

Okert's expected return is September 15th, and based on the latest update, which was given on September 8th, Okert is throwing at the team's facility in West Palm Beach, Florida, and will progress through the throwing program. As a result of this update, it will be very intriguing to watch whether Okert returns to the Astros on September 15th.

Now, it is time to talk about right-handed pitcher Mike Burrows, who has been battling through right elbow neuritis as well as right shoulder inflammation. Initially, the right elbow neuritis placed Burrows on the 15-day IL on July 13th, which is retroactive to July 7th.

Burrows return is also to be determined, but he is expected to report to the team's Spring Training facility in West Palm Beach, Florida in the coming days per the update given on September 5th. Based on that, it will be interesting to see if Burrows looks good and could potentially return for the postseason.

The final player on this list is left-handed pitcher Brandon Walter who tore his ulnar collateral ligament in his left elbow which has him on the 60-day IL on March 25th. To repair the torn ulnar collateral ligament Walter's left elbow, he had surgery on September 23rd, 2025.

With this injury, Walter will be out for the rest of this season, but he is expected to be ready to go at some point in 2027, and if he is, he should be able to provide some solid depth on the mound for the Astros' pitching staff.

So, heading into 2026, its going to be interesting to see if the Astros can get back Correa, Matthews, Okert, and Burrows for the playoffs as well as what their impact would be in the postseason as well as what Walter can provide on the mound for Houston in 2027.