If you’re refreshing your phone looking for what's the score of the Houston Astros game, I have some news that might be a little frustrating. There isn't one. It’s January 15, 2026. Unless you’ve found a way to warp time or you're deeply invested in a very specific game of catch in a backyard in Sugar Land, the Astros are currently in the thick of the MLB offseason.
No home runs. No Dusty Baker (obviously, he’s long gone). No Minute Maid Park—actually, it’s Daikin Park now, remember? The name changed recently.
The crack of the bat is still weeks away. Honestly, the "score" right now is more about spreadsheets and scouting reports than runs and hits. While the diamond is empty, the front office is actually having a massive day today.
The Current Score is All About International Signings
While the scoreboard at Daikin Park reads 0-0, the Astros just made some big moves in the international free agency market. Today, January 15, marks the opening of the 2026 international signing period.
Houston just landed a haul of eight prospects. The headliner? Albert Fermin. He’s a switch-hitting shortstop from the Dominican Republic who just banked a $2.3 million signing bonus. That’s nearly half of Houston’s entire $5.44 million bonus pool. If you want to talk about "scoring," Dana Brown and the scouting team just put some serious chips on this kid's future.
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They also inked Randy Arias, another shortstop with high-end defensive instincts, for $1.4 million. Here is the breakdown of the "points" Houston put on the board today:
- Albert Fermin (SS): The big prize, ranked No. 19 in the international class.
- Randy Arias (SS): A defensive wizard from the DR.
- Tatsuya Imai: Let’s not forget they already landed this Japanese star pitcher earlier this winter on a three-year deal.
It’s a different kind of winning. It’s the kind that doesn't show up on ESPN’s bottom ticker but determines if the team is still relevant in 2029.
Why the 2025 Season Result Still Stings
Look, we have to talk about why we’re even sitting here in January without playoff highlights to rewatch. The 2025 season was... weird. For the first time in nearly a decade, the Astros missed the postseason.
They finished 87-75.
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Normally, that’s enough to squeak in. Not last year. They tied the Detroit Tigers for the final Wild Card spot, but because the Tigers owned the tiebreaker, Houston was left out in the cold. It snapped an eight-year streak of playoff appearances. That hurts.
The Seattle Mariners took the AL West by three games, finishing at 90-72. Seeing the M’s at the top of the division is still a bitter pill for most of Houston to swallow. It’s why this offseason feels so quiet—there’s a lot of soul-searching happening in the clubhouse.
When Can You Actually Check the Score?
If you’re itching for a real game, you don’t have much longer to wait. Spring Training is right around the corner.
Pitchers and catchers who are playing in the 2026 World Baseball Classic actually report super early—February 11. Everyone else hits the grass at CACTI Park of the Palm Beaches in Florida around February 17.
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The first "real" score you can track will be on Saturday, February 21, 2026. That’s the Grapefruit League opener.
Key Dates for the 2026 Schedule
- February 21: Spring Training opener in Florida.
- March 6-11: The World Baseball Classic comes to Houston! Daikin Park will host Pool B games. This is huge. You’ll get high-stakes baseball in Houston before the MLB season even starts.
- March 26: Opening Day. The Astros start the regular season at home against the Los Angeles Angels.
The Roster Math (The Scoreboard Nobody Sees)
The "score" of the roster is a bit of a headache right now. The Astros are tight on cash. They have one of the lowest international bonus pools in the league ($5.44 million) because of their previous success and qualifying offer penalties.
They’re also dealing with some arbitration fallout. Jeremy Peña and Hayden Wesneski recently settled their deals, which keeps the core together but doesn't leave much room for a massive free-agent splash like we saw in the old days.
There's a lot of chatter about Isaac Paredes. Rumors suggest the Astros might try to trade him to shed some payroll, which feels like a "one step back to take two steps forward" kind of move. It’s risky.
Actionable Insights for Astros Fans
Since you can't watch a game today, here is how you can actually keep up with the team during this "dead" zone:
- Track the WBC: Since Houston is a host city for the World Baseball Classic this March, grab tickets now. It’s the closest thing to playoff intensity you’ll see before October.
- Follow the Prospects: Keep an eye on Albert Fermin in the Dominican Summer League later this year. He’s the "score" that matters most today.
- Check the Rotation: With Tatsuya Imai joining the staff, the rotation looks crowded. Watch for a trade involving one of the veteran arms as we get closer to February.
The scoreboard might be dark at Daikin Park tonight, but the work being done in the front office today will determine if the score is in Houston's favor come October.