Spring training is beginning to narrow the field in Houston, and with Opening Day approaching, the Astros are gradually shaping the roster that will take the field on March 26 against the Los Angeles Angels at Daikin Park.
With just over two weeks remaining in camp, manager Joe Espada has already begun trimming down the list of non-roster invitees. Several pitchers — including Jason Alexander and Colton Gordon — were recently optioned as the organization refines its plans for the regular season.
Yet one arm continues to stick around longer than many expected.
Right-hander Christian Roa, a Houston native signed to a minor league contract late last year, is still very much in the mix — and his performance this spring is making the decision harder for the Astros.
Astros reshaping pitching depth
Alexander’s demotion wasn’t necessarily about performance. According to Espada, it came down to roster structure.
The Astros are currently planning around a six-man rotation, leaving fewer immediate opportunities for depth starters. But Houston still views Alexander as someone who could contribute later in the season if the team needs innings.
Espada made it clear that the door remains open for a return.
“My message to him was that at some point this season, if we need that coverage and someone to give us a start and help us win games, we feel really good about Jason coming up and doing that,” Espada said.
While some pitchers have already been reassigned, Roa has continued receiving opportunities to show what he can do.
Christian Roa making a strong impression
Roa took the mound again this weekend, delivering a scoreless inning with two strikeouts after relieving Astros ace Hunter Brown, who had thrown four shutout innings earlier in the game.
After the outing, Espada spoke positively about the right-hander’s progress.
“He’s got a really good arm,” Espada said. “We’re trying to get him to be more consistent in the zone, especially with his secondary pitches, and get hitters to chase more. He did that today. He continues to throw the ball really well.”
The comments reflect growing confidence in a pitcher who arrived in camp with relatively little fanfare.
A hometown opportunity
For Roa, the opportunity carries special significance.
The 26-year-old Houston native signed with the Astros on a minor league deal in late December, giving him a chance to pitch for his hometown organization.
Originally drafted by the Cincinnati Reds in 2020, Roa spent several seasons in their farm system before eventually reaching the majors briefly with the Miami Marlins. He appeared in three scoreless innings as a September call-up last season.
Miami chose not to retain him after 2025, allowing Houston to bring him in as a depth option heading into spring training.
Strong spring numbers building momentum
So far, Roa has taken advantage of the opportunity.
Across five innings this spring, he has allowed just one earned run while striking out eight hitters, numbers that stand out as the Astros evaluate their remaining roster spots.
Perhaps just as notable as the statistics is the fact that Roa has not yet been optioned while other non-roster arms have already been reassigned.
That alone suggests the Astros are giving him a serious look.
A potential call-up later in the year?
Even if Roa does not break camp with the major league team, his strong showing could position him near the top of the Astros’ depth chart.
Pitching injuries and workload management almost always create opportunities during a 162-game season. A pitcher performing well in camp can often find himself just one phone call away from the majors.
For Roa, simply staying in camp this long is already a promising sign.
And if his strong spring continues, the Houston native could soon find himself taking the mound for his hometown team at the highest level of baseball.
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