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Okert (hamstring) is not included on the Astros' wild-card roster against the White Sox, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.
Okert has been out since early September while recovering from a strained right hamtring. He threw a bullpen session Monday, but it wasn't enough to convince the Astros he was ready. Okert could be in play for the ALDS, should his club advance.
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Astros' Steven Okert: Could return for wild-card round
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Okert (hamstring) threw a bullpen session Monday and could be included on the Astros' wild-card series roster against the White Sox, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.
Okert has been shelved since early September with a right hamstring strain, but it sounds like the Astros could get one of their better relievers back in time for the playoffs. The left-hander has logged a 2.13 ERA, 0.87 WHIP and 68:14 K:BB over 67.2 innings this season.
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Astros' Steven Okert: Won't return in regular season
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Okert (hamstring) will not return from the injured list before the end of the regular season, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.
Okert has been dealing with a hamstring strain since Sept. 4 and isn't scheduled to resume throwing off a mound until next week. He'll then require additional bullpen sessions and PFP drills before being cleared to return, and there simply won't be enough time to squeeze all of that in before the regular season ends Sept. 27. The door is still open for him to return at some point during the postseason, if the Astros secure a spot.
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Astros' Steven Okert: Shelved by hamstring strain
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The Astros placed Okert on the 15-day injured list Friday with a right hamstring strain, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.
It's unclear when Okert was hurt, but he hasn't pitched since Monday. He's been dynamite out of the Houston bullpen this season, logging a 2.13 ERA, 0.87 WHIP and 68:14 K:BB over 67.2 innings. Bryan King will absorb Okert's spot on the roster and in the bullpen.
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Astros' Steven Okert: Extends scoreless stretch in win
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Okert (1-0) earned the win Wednesday over the Blue Jays, allowing a hit while striking out one in a scoreless inning.
Okert has now turned in 17 straight scoreless innings, posting a stellar 0.65 WHIP with 17:4 K:BB in that span. The veteran left-hander has been excellent in the back half of Houston's bullpen this season, posting a 2.35 ERA with a 0.91 WHIP while leading the team with nine holds.
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Astros' Steven Okert: Notches sixth hold
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Okert secured his sixth hold Thursday after pitching a scoreless two-thirds of an inning in a 5-1 win over Texas. He hit a batter but did not allow any hits or walks.
Okert entered in the seventh inning and recorded the final out of the frame before returning for the eighth, when he induced a popout and plunked a batter before being pulled. It was the 34-year-old's third straight scoreless appearance out of the bullpen. The left-hander holds a 3.75 ERA, 1.04 WHIP and 21:8 K:BB through 24 innings on the campaign.
Astros' Steven Okert: Set to open Monday's contest
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Okert will operate as the Astros' opening pitcher in Monday's series opener against the Dodgers, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports.
Okert will make his first start of the 2026 campaign, helping bridge the gap in Houston's rotation ahead of Peter Lambert's expected start Tuesday. The right-hander has appeared in 17 contests so far this season, posting a 4.20 ERA and 1.20 WHIP with 10 strikeouts over 15 innings. The Astros haven't specified whether a pitcher will work in bulk relief behind Okert, but Ryan Weiss is the freshest arm in the bullpen who's capable of covering multiple innings.
Okert agreed to a one-year, $2.325 million contract with the Astros on Thursday, avoiding arbitration, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.
The left-hander had a successful first year in Houston during 2025, recording one save and 11 holds with a 3.01 ERA, 0.89 WHIP and 84:19 K:BB across 71.2 innings. Okert should operate as part of the setup mix for the Astros again in 2026.
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Astros' Steven Okert: Serving as opener Tuesday
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Okert will serve as the Astros' opening pitcher in Tuesday's game versus the Marlins, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports.
Okert will cover the first inning or two before handing things off to AJ Blubaugh, who is expected to be the bulk reliever. The left-handed Okert has had a dynamite season out of the Astros' bullpen, registering a 2.90 ERA and 59:11 K:BB over 49.2 frames.
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Astros' Steven Okert: Excellent start to season continues
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Okert allowed one hit with no walks and no strikeouts across two scoreless innings Monday against the Royals.
Monday's outing was Okert's 17th of the season and his 15th scoreless appearance. He's backed that up with an excellent 24:3 K:BB across 22 innings. Despite his success, Okert hasn't typically been used in high-leverage spots and has only two holds on the campaign.
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Astros' Steven Okert: Contract selected
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The Astros selected Okert's contract from Triple-A Sugar Land on Thursday, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.
Okert earned a bullpen spot following a stellar spring in which he tossed 10.2 scoreless innings with a 16.2 K:BB. He will be utilized in middle relief.
Astros' Steven Okert: Signs minors deal with Houston
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Okert signed a minor-league contract with the Astros on Nov. 5.
Okert appeared in 44 games for the Twins in 2024, putting up a 5.09 ERA and 1.50 WHIP across 35.1 innings -- his worst statistical season since 2017. The 33-year-old southpaw will have an opportunity to bounce back with the Astros organization, though he will likely need to redeem himself at Triple-A Sugar Land before getting a chance to pitch for Houston.
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Twins' Steven Okert: Outrighted to Triple-A
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The Twins outrighted Okert to Triple-A St. Paul on Monday.
Okert cleared waivers after being designated for assignment and will remain in the organization as left-handed relief depth. He holds a 5.09 ERA and 33:16 K:BB over 35.1 frames this season at the major-league level.
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Twins' Steven Okert: Dropped from 40-man
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The Twins designated Okert for assignment Saturday, Betsy Helfand of the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports.
Okert will lose his spot in the Twins' bullpen after posting a 5.09 ERA and 1.50 WHIP across 35.1 innings on the season. Scott Blewett was promoted from Triple-A St. Paul to fill the open roster spot.
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Twins' Steven Okert: Returns from bereavement leave
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The Twins reinstated Okert (personal) from the bereavement list Monday.
Right-hander Randy Dobnak was optioned to Triple-A St. Paul to open up a spot on the 26-man active roster for Okert, who was away from the team for the past week while tending to the personal matter. Okert has mostly operated as a middle-relief arm for the Twins this season, logging a 4.45 ERA and 1.48 WHIP to go with three wins, one save and six holds over 30.1 innings.
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Twins' Steven Okert: Away from team
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The Twins placed Okert (personal) on the bereavement list Monday.
Okert will be away from the team for up to seven days as he tends to personal issues. In his stead, Josh Winder was called up from Triple-A St. Paul to serve out of the bullpen. Okert has a 4.45 ERA in 30.1 innings with the Twins this season.
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