Astros general manager Dana Brown said Sunday that Sousa (elbow) could return from the 15-day injured list at some point during the postseason in a "best-case scenario," Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

Sousa hasn't resumed throwing since being placed on the injured list Aug. 22 due to a low-grade elbow flexor strain and doesn't appear to have a chance at returning before the end of the regular season. The 30-year-old will likely need to start throwing at some point in late September to put himself in consideration for a spot on the Astros' postseason roster. Before getting hurt, Sousa submitted a 2.84 ERA, 1.03 WHIP and 59:15 K:BB in 50.2 innings while collecting five wins, four saves and eight holds over his 44 appearances.

Sousa has been diagnosed with a "low-grade elbow flexor/pronator strain" and will not throw for at least two weeks, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports.

EDGE Analysis

Sousa landed on the injured list Friday and underwent an MRI, the results of which revealed the flexor/pronator strain. The southpaw will be evaluated in early September, and he's expected to be sidelined from any throwing for a minimum of two weeks. This is a big blow to Houston's bullpen, as Sousa has excelled with a 2.84 ERA, 1.03 WHIP and 59:15 K:BB over 50.2 innings while notching four saves and eight holds across 44 appearances.

The Astros placed Sousa on the 15-day injured list with left elbow inflammation Friday, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports.

EDGE Analysis

It's not clear when Sousa's elbow began barking, but his last appearance came Tuesday in Detroit. He'll be eligible to return Sept. 4, but it's possible he'll need more time, given the nature of the injury. It's a blow to the Astros' bullpen, as Sousa holds a 2.84 ERA and 59:15 K:BB over 50.2 innings this season.

Sousa picked up the save in Monday's 7-6 win over the Red Sox. He allowed no hits or walks while striking out the lone batter he faced.

EDGE Analysis

Sousa needed just four pitches to secure his fourth save of the season Monday, taking over for Enyel De Los Santos with one out left in the ninth inning and striking out Roman Anthony to end the game. The left-handed reliever isn't expected to handle closing duties on a regular basis but stepped in with Josh Hader temporarily unavailable due to left shoulder discomfort.

Sousa secured the save in Wednesday's 5-3 win over the Rockies, allowing one run on three hits and no walks in the ninth inning. He struck out one.

EDGE Analysis

Closer Josh Hader was presumably unavailable after notching the save in Tuesday's victory over Colorado, opening up a rare save opportunity for Sousa. Through 32.1 frames, Sousa has emerged as a weapon out of Houston's bullpen with a 1.95 ERA, 0.87 WHIP and 40:7 K:BB. The southpaw has also converted each of his three save chances to go with two holds this year, but he should continue to serve primarily as a middle reliever and setup man going forward.

Sousa struck out one in a perfect 10th inning Friday to record his second save of the season in a 3-2 win over the Angels.

EDGE Analysis

Josh Hader worked the ninth to keep the game tied at 2-2, and with Bryan Abreu having handled the eighth, Sousa got the call to close things out after Houston grabbed the lead in the top of the 10th. The southpaw's first save came in a nearly identical scenario, as he wrapped up a 10-inning win over the Guardians on June 7 after Hader got the ninth. Sousa hasn't allowed a run in June, posting a 0.31 WHIP and 12:2 K:BB in 9.2 innings, and he appears to be working his way onto the fringes of the high-leverage picture for the Astros.

The Astros will recall Sousa from Triple-A Sugar Land.

EDGE Analysis

Sousa won't be available for Tuesday's game against Seattle, but he's in line to join Houston's bullpen to replace Rafael Montero, who was traded to Atlanta. Sousa missed all of last season due to thoracic outlet surgery but has looked good in four Triple-A outings this year, allowing two hits and no walks while striking out five batters across five shutout frames.

The Astros optioned Sousa to Triple-A Sugar Land on Thursday, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

The left-handed reliever missed all of the 2024 campaign following thoracic outlet surgery. While Sousa was healthy this spring, he had a shaky Grapefruit League showing, allowing seven runs on 13 hits and three walks over 7.2 innings.

Sousa (shoulder) confirmed Sunday that he's fully healthy and has completed his recovery from the season-ending thoracic outlet syndrome surgery he underwent in April, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports.

EDGE Analysis

After a strong finish to the 2023 season, Sousa was poised to win a spot in Houston's Opening Day bullpen coming out of last spring training, but he developed shoulder inflammation late in camp and was placed on the injured list. He was then recommended for thoracic outlet syndrome surgery, after Sousa said that he had been dealing with symptoms of the syndrome for years. Though he experienced a complication during the procedure involving a buildup of fluid in his lung that required a hospital stay, Sousa's throwing program was relatively unaffected. He resumed playing catch in early July and stepped back on the mound for a bullpen session by September, so he's not expected to face any restrictions in camp. Sousa faces stiff competition for a spot in the Astros bullpen, however, and the fact that the lefty has a minor-league option remaining could hurt his chances of breaking camp with the big club.

The Astros transferred Sousa (shoulder) to the 60-day injured list Saturday, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports.

EDGE Analysis

Houston needed to clear a spot on the 40-man roster for the addition of Jacob Amaya. Sousa underwent thoracic outlet syndrome surgery earlier this week and will miss the rest of the season.