Reliever Jose Espada has joined the Orioles as the 27th man for today’s doubleheader against the Astros at Camden Yards.

Espada hasn’t appeared in a game with the Orioles this season. He was recalled on April 22 and optioned two days later.

Maverick Handley has reported to the team as the taxi squad catcher.

Manager Craig Albernaz explained that left-hander Trevor Rogers went on the 15-day injured list yesterday with the flu.

“It’s hitting him pretty hard,” Albernaz said.

“I’ll say it’s kind of going through our clubhouse. Weston Wilson had it a couple days ago. We kept him home. So same thing with Rog. We kept Rog home for two days. It’s just the unfortunate timing of it because he’s starting tomorrow. And you know, throwing up, all that good stuff, it’s tougher to do that and then go pitch and start in a big league game.

“Obviously, he wanted to, but sometimes you have to be the adult in the room and kind of look out for the player. So it would be no benefit for Rog to try to push through it because he doesn’t have the strength back yet and throwing up, all that good stuff. So we want to make sure that he gets rehydrated, gets his strength back. And whenever the stint is over, he’ll be ready to go.”

Albernaz said the club hasn’t set its rotation for the four-game Yankees series in the Bronx.

“We’re still working through it with Rog,” Albernaz said.

Chris Bassitt starts the opener today. He followed five scoreless innings in Cleveland by allowing five runs in 5 1/3 in Kansas City, leaving him with a 6.75 ERA and 2.063 WHIP in five starts.

Bassitt has made 16 career appearances against the Astros and posted a 4.32 ERA in 89 2/3 innings.

Gunnar Henderson is the designated hitter, with Blaze Alexander at shortstop. Colton Cowser is in center and Dylan Beavers is in right.

Yordan Álvarez is 9-for-22 (.409) with a double, five home runs and 11 RBIs against Bassitt. Isaac Paredes is 2-for-17 with a double.

Right-hander Peter Lambert is starting Game 1 for Houston. He’s never faced the Orioles.

Lambert has made two starts this season and allowed four runs with 16 strikeouts in 11 innings. He joined the rotation on April 17 and tossed six scoreless innings in his next start in Cleveland.

Right-hander Jason Alexander is Houston’s 27th man. Right-hander Ryan Weiss is on the paternity list, and right-hander Cody Bolton was reinstated from the injured list.

For the Orioles
Gunnar Henderson DH
Taylor Ward LF
Adley Rutschman C
Pete Alonso 1B
Dylan Beavers RF
Jeremiah Jackson 2B
Colton Cowser CF
Coby Mayo 3B
Blaze Alexander SS

Chris Bassitt RHP

For the Astros
Carlos Correa SS
Yordan Álvarez LF
Isaac Paredes 3B
Christian Walker 1B
Jose Altuve 2B
Yainer Diaz DH
Brice Matthews CF
Dustin Harris RF
Christian Vázquez C

Peter Lambert RHP