However, the Orioles have done this a handful of times. They also did it on August 14th, 1998 where both grand slams were hit by Chris Hoiles. In June 26, 1970, Hall of Famer Frank Robinson also hit back-to-back grand slams. The first time they did it was back in May 9, 1961, with Jim Gentile hitting two grand slams in the first two innings vs Twins. Two players also hit grand slams in the same game in 2015.

Hence, this is the first time since 2015 that two different players have hit grand slams in the same game for the Orioles. Hence, they etched their names in the history books of the O’s at the Astros expense.

How many times has a team hit two grand slams in the same MLB game?

The Yankees have done it (1936), as well as the Red Sox (1939, 1946, 1999, 2003), Orioles (1961, 1970, 1998, 2015, 2026), Braves (1966), Tigers (1968), White Sox (1995), Cardinals (1999), and Nationals (2009).

The most iconic game on this feature was in 1999. Fernando Tatis Sr. hit two grand slams in just one inning. That feat has never been replicated. Another record that hasn’t been matched is the Yankees hitting three grand slams in a single game against the Athletics in 2011.

What is a grand slam in baseball?

A grand slam is a home run hit when all three bases are loaded, hence it results in four runs scored. This is the maximum possible in a single play. On average, a grand slam occurs once every 1,219 at-bats in the MLB. As of April 2026, there have been 24 grand slams so far this season.

The comments were shared by Brian McTaggart on X: “Astros GM Dana Brown about the pitching staff on the team’s pregame show on Sports Talk 790: ‘Having over 100 walks at this time is just not acceptable. We’re better than that and we’ve got to lock in.’”

That final message is a clear call to action, not just for Espada but for the entire coaching staff to address the issue. It is not only about reducing walks, but also improving overall run prevention, as Houston currently sits near the bottom of the MLB in team ERA.

Most walks in the MLB rankings

Brown’s frustration is understandable given the numbers. The Astros are currently leading all of MLB with 123 walks issued, a troubling mark even if the pitching staff has also shown strong strikeout ability. Alongside Houston, only three other teams have surpassed 100 walks: the Oakland Athletics, Los Angeles Angels, and Chicago White Sox, all clubs that have traditionally struggled in recent seasons.

Even more concerning for Houston is the overall pitching performance, with the team posting a 6.11 ERA, currently the worst in Major League Baseball. That combination of poor command and run prevention has put added urgency on internal adjustments.

On the positive side, the Astros’ pitching staff has still been able to rack up 222 strikeouts, ranking second in the league behind the Cleveland Guardians and ahead of teams like the Angels and Padres. Still, Brown’s message makes it clear that strikeouts alone are not enough to offset the lack of control.

“I don’t want to attach our failures to the injuries,” Correa said via Chandler Rome. “Our failures are because we’re playing s—- baseball. We’re a good club playing bad baseball.” The comments came following a loss to the Seattle Mariners on April 13.

It wasn’t just that defeat. The Astros are now mired in an eight-game losing streak, something they hadn’t experienced at this stage of a season in recent years. It’s the kind of early MLB hole that can be difficult to climb out of once it starts to spiral.

How bad has the offense been?

At the plate, the numbers don’t point to a complete collapse. Correa himself is hitting .291, ranking as the fourth-best bat in the lineup, while Yordan Alvarez leads the way with a .321 average, though he’s also been pitched around, drawing 16 walks.

Jose Altuve has also been productive, hitting .311 as the team’s second-best bat. Overall, the Astros are generating enough hits and RBIs, suggesting the core issue lies elsewhere. The rotation has been in disarray, and Correa’s criticism appears to be aimed largely at the pitchers.

That problem has been the pitching staff. Most of the starting rotation carries ERAs north of 4.00, with Mike Burrows struggling the most, allowing 16 earned runs in just four starts. Cristian Javier, now injured, has also given up 13 earned runs this season.

“This is why we went out and signed a lot of pitchers this offseason,” Brown said ahead of Sunday’s game on April 12. He added that the available arms in the bullpen should be more than capable of covering for injured pitchers.

“We feel like right now that we’re going to be able to sustain these injuries because of the depth we have,” Brown said. He also made it clear that the goal isn’t just to replace injured arms, but to get them back on the mound as quickly as possible once they recover.

Bolton’s rough start to 2026

Bolton’s 2026 MLB season had already gotten off to a shaky start. Through three appearances, he posted a 5.40 ERA, making him one of the less reliable options in the bullpen. He wasn’t with Houston last season, as his year ended early after just one appearance with the Cleveland Guardians.

Bolton has yet to show the consistency needed to become a dependable reliever. He spent time with the Mariners in 2024, appearing in 17 games, his highest total in a single season, but has otherwise bounced between the majors and minors.

Brown also pointed to other potential options beyond the bullpen. He mentioned Peter Lambert and Colton Gordon as possible rotation depth if needed. Lambert hasn’t pitched in the majors since 2024, but he did post a 2.94 ERA during spring training.

The report came from Chandler Rome on X: “Joe Espada plans to keep Christian Vazquez paired with Tatsuya Imai for the foreseeable future because ‘right now, I feel like it’s important for the transition of Imai to the major leagues and just to build some stability in our rotation and take us deep into games.’”

After Imai’s recent outing against the Seattle Mariners, 0.1 innings pitched, 1 hit, 3 earned runs, 4 walks, no strikeouts on 37 pitches, it’s clear the Astros need to carefully manage their arms, especially with a pitcher still adjusting to the majors.

Vazquez’s start to 2026

Vazquez has been solid behind the plate through his first seven games, which helps explain why Espada wants him guiding the team’s newest arm. Offensively, he’s hitting .348 over that stretch, adding a home run and eight RBI in what’s been a strong start to the 2026 season.

If Imai can build better chemistry with Vazquez, things could stabilize. Through three MLB starts, he holds a 7.27 ERA, disappointing on the surface, but he hasn’t allowed a home run and has recorded 13 strikeouts in 8.2 innings, suggesting his stuff is still effective.

It’s unclear when Imai will make his next start, though it could come during a series against the St. Louis Cardinals or possibly sooner. Espada will need to pick the right moment as he continues managing a pitcher who, so far this season, has just one win.

“Joe Espada said he plans to have a conversation with Roddery Muñoz about his ABS challenge in the seventh inning. Espada reiterated that the Astros don’t want their pitchers challenging any calls. Espada said he didn’t have a problem with Yainer Diaz’s first-inning challenge,” Chandler Rome wrote on X.

Houston struggled in the 6-2 loss to the Angels, scoring just two runs in the first five innings before going quiet the rest of the game. While it’s still early, Espada could be dealing with some early offensive concerns from his lineup.

How many ABS challenges does a team get?

Each team is allowed two ABS challenges per game. If a challenge is successful, it is retained; if not, the team loses one. In extra innings, each team is granted an additional challenge until the end of the game.

“Roddery Muñoz just lost a full-count ABS challenge to Nolan Schanuel. It was the Astros’ last challenge and it wasn’t close. At last check, the Astros were not encouraging any of their pitchers to challenge,” wrote Rome, highlighting the situation during the game.

It’s worth noting that back in February, Espada had already made his stance clear, saying, “I highly encourage them not to do it,” emphasizing that the system is best used strategically. He also pointed out that many MLB players are still adjusting to the ABS system, which has been more commonly used in the minors.

“Where did all that come from? Houston’s wilding right now. In reality, he’s good! They [Astros] probably just don’t want him playing. But he’ll be back here soon, and when he returns, he’s going to make a real impact for the team,” Perdomo told Master Flip (@masterflip_) and other reporters.

It is worth noting that Peña and Perdomo were nearly set to play in what would have been the Dominican Republic’s first WBC game on March 6 in Pool D against Nicaragua, a matchup that on paper could be a relatively manageable one for them against the group’s underdog.

Perdomo says he’s ready to cover shortstop

Perdomo, who last season posted a .290 batting average with 173 hits, 20 home runs and 100 RBIs, said he is more than ready to fill the shortstop role Peña left open while his situation with the Astros is sorted out. Both players had strong MLB seasons in 2025.

“I feel great. I’m here to do my job, I’m having a blast doing it, and I’m not stressing about carrying the load at short. We had solid communication about who was going to play, him (Peña) or me, but the only goal was getting the job done, no matter who was out there,” Master Flip translated from Perdomo’s comments in Spanish.

Without Peña, the Dominican Republic would be losing a player who posted a .304 batting average with the Astros in 2025, along with 17 home runs, 150 hits and 62 RBIs during his fourth season with the team. He also received an MVP nomination.

Long-term commitments, expiring deals and arbitration raises are quietly reshaping the books. The numbers suggest careful calibration rather than reckless spending, a strategy built to extend a competitive window without slamming it shut.

How that financial blueprint translates to on-field depth remains the looming question. In a division that refuses to ease up, the MLB team’s 2026 payroll may reveal more about its championship ambitions than any offseason headline.

How much is the Houston Astros payroll in 2026?

For the 2026 season, the Houston Astros project a luxury tax payroll of about $228 million, placing them comfortably in the upper tier of MLB salary spenders but still behind some perennial big-market spenders like the Dodgers and Yankees.

That total, based on Spotrac data, reflects both guaranteed contracts and arbitration-eligible salaries across the 40-man roster. Anchoring the franchise’s payroll are high-value deals for cornerstone players.

Jose Altuve leads the club at $33 million, followed by Carlos Correa and Yordan Alvarez with salaries in the $26–33 million range, while other established veterans like Cristian Javier and Christian Walker also command significant paychecks.

Beyond the stars, a group of arbitration players — including Jeremy Peña, Hunter Brown, Yainer Diaz and others — adds depth but also financial commitments that push the total higher.

With most arbitration figures now set and additional contract moves like the three-year deal for pitcher Tatsuya Imai factoring into the mix, the Astros’ 2026 payroll underscores a deliberate blend of elite talent and roster flexibility.

After an offseason that saw changes in the pitching staff, New York appears focused on adding experienced arms who can compete for roles. With bullpen uncertainty following key departures, veteran reinforcements could play a meaningful part during spring workouts.

According to Jon Heyman, the Yankees signed veteran reliever Rafael Montero to a minor league contract that includes an invitation to spring training. Joel Sherman later reported the deal could be worth up to $1.85 million if Montero spends sufficient time in the majors.

Veteran arm with upside and risk

Montero, 35, split last season between the Astros, Braves, and Tigers, posting a 4.48 ERA across more than 60 innings. While his overall numbers were uneven, he finished strong in Detroit, recording a 2.86 ERA in 20 appearances down the stretch.

His struggles in Atlanta, where he posted a 5.50 ERA over 36 games, inflated his season totals. The 11-year MLB veteran previously earned a World Series ring with Houston in 2022 after beginning his career with the New York Mets.

Yankees bullpen competition looms

New York could see a competitive bullpen battle this spring after losing Devin Williams and Luke Weaver. Montero will need to earn a roster spot, but his experience could make him a viable depth option if injuries arise.

The Yankees are also managing rotation concerns, with Gerrit Cole, Carlos Rodon, and Clarke Schmidt expected to miss Opening Day. Manager Aaron Boone indicated Cole could see some mound time before camp concludes, while Schmidt continues recovering from elbow surgery.

With the Yankees’ first spring training game approaching, Montero enters camp with an opportunity — though his recent performance suggests he will need a strong showing to secure a meaningful role.

“Astros trade talks surrounding Isaac Paredes have intensified in the last 48–72 hours, with as many as five teams, including the Red Sox and Pirates, having ‘legitimate and aggressive’ interest in the player, according to Chandler Rome,” wrote Red Sox reporter Gordo on X (@BOSSportsGordo).

In Rome’s original report, it was mentioned that up to five teams, including the Red Sox and Pirates, are applying significant pressure to acquire Paredes, who last season contributed 96 hits, 20 home runs, and a .254 batting average for the Astros.

How much could a player like Isaac Paredes cost?

As a player coming off a very solid recent MLB season, it’s likely that the Red Sox, Pirates, and other teams would be willing to offer far more than what he is currently earning with the Astros. Paredes is set to make $9.35 million in 2026, with a club option of $13.35 million for 2027.

“It has become a common theme for Isaac Paredes to be surrounded in trade talks. Strong hitting numbers in ’25 with an .810 OPS, 20 HR, 17.4% K-rate. Subpar defender,” wrote Sam Fosberg of Just Baseball on X, highlighting how well the Astros infielder has performed.

Javier Gonzalez, who regularly covers the Astros in detail throughout the year, weighed in on Rome’s report and noted that Paredes leaving the roster shouldn’t be a major concern for fans.

“To be honest, I think the odds of Paredes starting the season in Houston are pretty low. The Astros still have a surplus of starting infielders and are reportedly looking to add a left-handed bat to the lineup (and maybe a backup catcher). It wouldn’t hurt them to shave a few dollars off their payroll either,” Gonzalez wrote on X (@astros_coverage).

Rosario’s journey has included years outside the traditional minor-league system, forcing him to rebuild his value away from the spotlight. After leaving organized baseball in 2023, he continued grinding in independent leagues, where steady offensive growth began to reshape how teams viewed his potential.

That progress paid off Wednesday, when the official Frontier League announced that Rosario’s contract had been purchased—marking a fresh chapter with an organization known for uncovering overlooked talent.

How did Rosario’s unconventional path lead back to affiliated baseball?

Originally signed by the New York Yankees as an international free agent, Rosario spent seven seasons in their system but never gained traction offensively. Across 95 games, he posted a .506 OPS with three home runs, struggles that eventually led him to elect free agency after the 2023 season.

Rosario then resurfaced in the Frontier League, an MLB partner league, where his bat showed noticeable improvement. He recorded an .800 OPS in 64 games during 2024 and followed it with an .806 OPS across 90 games this past season, production that caught the attention of scouts searching beyond affiliated ball.

What role could Rosario realistically play with the Astros?

This move is not expected to impact the Astros’ major league roster in the short term. The club remains firmly committed to Yainer Díaz as its starting catcher, and Rosario is not viewed as an immediate backup option.

For now, Rosario returns to affiliated baseball with momentum and opportunity, while the Astros add a quietly intriguing name to their catching depth chart as the organization looks ahead.