Look, if you’re checking the Astros lineup for today, January 17, 2026, you aren't going to find a box score. It's the middle of January. There’s no game. The guys are probably at home or starting to pack for West Palm Beach. But that doesn’t mean there isn't a "lineup" to obsess over.
Honestly, the roster right now is a total puzzle. Not the fun kind where the pieces click together, but the kind where you have three of the same corner piece and a giant hole in the middle.
General Manager Dana Brown has been busy, but maybe not in the way fans wanted. Today’s big news isn't a superstar signing; it's the team bringing in guys like Carlos Perez and Amos Willingham on minor-league deals. It’s depth. It’s "just in case" insurance.
The Projected 2026 Astros Lineup
Since we don’t have an official card from Joe Espada today, we have to look at the projected Opening Day reality. It's... crowded.
Basically, the Astros have a massive logjam. You’ve got Carlos Correa back at third, Isaac Paredes floating around, and Christian Walker at first. That’s a lot of right-handed power, a lot of salary, and not enough spots on the dirt.
Here is what the "most likely" order looks like if the season started this afternoon:
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- Jeremy Peña – SS (R)
- Yordan Alvarez – LF (L)
- Jose Altuve – 2B (R)
- Carlos Correa – 3B (R)
- Isaac Paredes – DH (R)
- Christian Walker – 1B (R)
- Yainer Diaz – C (R)
- Cam Smith – RF (R)
- Jake Meyers – CF (R)
It’s weird seeing Yordan at the two-spot and Altuve at three, right? But the math says you want your best hitter getting the most looks. The problem? Yordan in left field. He’s a beast, but his legs are made of glass sometimes. The team wants him at DH, but if Paredes is the DH, Yordan has to grab a glove.
What Most People Get Wrong About the Outfield
Everyone talks about the infield, but the outfield is actually the biggest question mark. Today, the "starters" are basically whoever hasn't been traded yet.
Jake Meyers is likely a lock for center because his defense is elite, and honestly, the pitching staff needs him there. But right field? It’s a literal battleground. You’ve got Cam Smith, Jesús Sánchez, and Zach Cole all staring at each other.
Don't be surprised if the Astros lineup for today—or rather, the one we see in March—features a lot of shuffling. Altuve might even see time in left field. Yeah, you read that correctly. They are trying to find any way to keep Paredes, Altuve, and Correa on the field at the same time.
The Ryan Pressly Void and the Pitching Staff
While we're looking at the hitters, we can't ignore the arm situation.
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Earlier today, Ryan Pressly officially called it a career. 13 years, two All-Star nods, and a World Series ring. It’s a huge emotional hit for the clubhouse. On the mound, the rotation is also in flux. Framber Valdez is a free agent, and it doesn't look like he's coming back.
Instead, the "today" version of the rotation relies heavily on:
- Hunter Brown (The new ace)
- Tatsuya Imai (The big Japanese signing from earlier this month)
- Spencer Arrighetti (Hoping his elbow holds up)
They might even go with a six-man rotation to protect these guys. It's a gamble.
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Actionable Insights for Fans
If you're trying to keep track of this chaotic offseason, here is what you actually need to watch for:
- Watch the Trade Market: Christian Walker is the name being dangled. If he moves, the infield logjam clears up, and Paredes likely moves to first base.
- Monitor Yordan’s Health: If he isn't 100% by the time pitchers and catchers report, that projected lineup above gets tossed in the trash.
- Spring Training Battles: The RF spot is wide open. Keep an eye on Cam Smith; he’s the front-runner, but he’s gotta hit to keep it.
- The Bench Search: Dana Brown is still looking for a backup catcher. Today’s signing of Carlos Perez is just the start of that "margin-moving" strategy.
The Astros lineup for today is really just a list of names on a whiteboard in a front office. It's a work in progress. It's messy, it's expensive, and it's going to look very different by the time they actually take the field in March.