What's Happening?
The Houston Astros have placed right-handed pitcher Spencer Arrighetti on the 15-day injured list due to right elbow inflammation. This development poses a significant challenge to the Astros' pitching staff, which has been struggling with injuries throughout the season. Arrighetti, who recently returned from a 103-game absence due to a fractured thumb, has made five starts since August 6, recording a 5.26 ERA over 25 2/3 innings. Despite showing improvement in his last two starts, Arrighetti reported elbow pain following a bullpen session, according to manager Joe Espada. The team is now faced with the task of adjusting their rotation, which has been operating with six pitchers during a stretch of consecutive games.
Why It's Important?
The injury to Spencer Arrighetti further strains the Astros' pitching resources, which have been depleted by injuries to other key players such as Brandon Walter, Hayden Wesneski, and Ronel Blanco. With Cristian Javier and Luis Garcia returning from Tommy John surgery, the team must carefully manage their workload to prevent further injuries. The loss of Arrighetti could impact the Astros' performance in the playoff race, as they need to maintain a strong rotation to compete effectively. The team may need to rely on less experienced pitchers or adjust their rotation strategy to cope with the absence of Arrighetti.
What's Next?
The Astros are considering several options to fill the gap left by Arrighetti's injury. They could opt for a five-man rotation, allowing ace Hunter Brown to pitch on four days of rest, followed by Garcia and Framber Valdez. Alternatively, they might promote a sixth starter from the bullpen, with AJ Blubaugh or Lance McCullers Jr. as potential candidates. The team has also promoted reliever Jayden Murray to the major-league roster as a temporary measure. Houston's top pitching prospect, Miguel Ullola, is performing well in Triple-A but may not be available until later in the week.
