Astros right-hander Hayden Wesneski is set to undergo Tommy John surgery, manager Joe Espada told reporters (including Chandler Rome of The Athletic) this afternoon. Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle relays that the Astros expect him back at some point during the 2026 campaign. A more specific timetable for his return won’t be known until after the procedure, which is expected to be performed in Dallas by Dr. Keith Meister later this week. In any case, he’ll miss the remainder of the 2025 season and presumably at least the first half of 2026 as well.
The news brings an abrupt end to Wesneski’s first season in Houston. The 27-year-old was acquired from the Cubs alongside All-Star third baseman Isaac Paredes and top prospect Cam Smith in the deal that shipped longtime Astros star Kyle Tucker to Chicago back in December. Initially drafted by the Yankees in the sixth-round of the 2019 draft, Wesneski was traded to the Cubs in exchange for right-handed reliever Scott Effross at the 2022 trade deadline and went on to spend parts of three seasons as a swing man on the north side. Wesneski pitched 190 innings total across 22 starts and 46 relief outings for the Cubs from 2022 to 2024, and in that time he posted fairly pedestrian numbers with a 3.93 ERA (106 ERA+) and a 4.74 FIP. His 23.0% strikeout rate and 7.6% walk rate were both solid, but his production was generally held back by a penchant for allowing homers.
Among pitchers with at least 180 innings of work over that three-year span, Wesneski’s home run rate was ninth-highest. That’s certainly not ideal, and that proclivity towards the long ball held Wesneski back from reaching what many evaluators viewed as a mid-rotation ceiling during his time with the Cubs. The Astros saw something they liked, however, as they not only traded for him as part of the Tucker deal but also gave him a spot in their Opening Day rotation. The righty was serviceable but unspectacular, with a 4.50 ERA and 4.79 FIP across six starts that both clocked in just a bit worse than league average. Home run issues persisted for Wesneski, but a reduced 4.6% walk rate was enough for some of his advanced metrics to improve, such as a 3.68 SIERA that clocked in well below his career mark.
Whether he’ll be able to push his actual production into a range closer to those peripheral numbers has become a question for another time, however. The right-hander was placed on the injured list with elbow discomfort nine days ago, and initial testing on his elbow did not provide much clarity about what issues Wesneski was facing until a follow-up appointment with Meister confirmed that the righty would need to go under the knife. While the Astros have said that Wesneski is expected back next year, Rome notes that the hurler is eligible for arbitration for the first time in his career this offseason and suggests that could make him a potential non-tender candidate this winter if he’s not expected to contribute much in 2026, as was the case with former Astro Jose Urquidy this past winter.
In the meantime, the Astros will left to rely on a rotation mix that just got a little less deep for 2025. Framber Valdez, Hunter Brown, Ronel Blanco, and Lance McCullers Jr. are currently joined by rookie Colton Gordon in the rotation, with Ryan Gusto in the bullpen as a swing option. Spencer Arrighetti, Luis Garcia, and Cristian Javier are all expected back at some point this season from the injured list to provide additional reinforcements, but the timeline for all three remains murky.
The elbow discomfort strikes again…
Good luck Hayden see you in 14-16 months!
Damn this sucks so much. I was really hoping he would be really good for the Astros. He’s back home where he went to college. Houston University.
Close–Sam Houston State!
When Dan Rather went there, it was named Sam Houston Institute of Technology…until the students started wearing the initials on their jackets.
Either way he was born and raised in Houston.
He didn’t attend the University of Houston though.
Sam Houston State isn’t in Houston, but I’m probably being nitpicky. It’s closer to College Station than Houston.
It’s in Huntsville. Period.
very sad : C
That’s tough. When Garcia and Javier are back the rotation will be fixed. This doesn’t help the rotation until then.
Interesting in the way that it relates to Framber Valdez and the possibility of extending him.
Fried got 8yrs / 218M in FA entering his age 31 season and had some question marks regarding injuries. Framber will be entering his age 33 season, he has been a bull for the last three seasons.
McCullers and Javier are both expensive question marks, you have to keep both around and hope they can pitch until their contracts expire after ’26 and ’27 respectively.
Wesneski looked like he could have been as good as a three in the Astros rotation, he is now out until ’27. He will be entering his age 29 season.
The Astros looked to have more than a number of options in their rotation where they could have gotten away from an expensive, long term extension on Framber but it may be their best option.
Chandler Rome is already suggesting Houston will cut him to avoid arbitration. That would be foolish. His arbitration salary should be relatively minor…..
Houston has a few dead money contracts coming off the books after the season in Montero and Jose Abreu so cutting him should not be an option.
At least it wasn’t the Johnny Tom Surgery.
Hayden Wesneski has one of pro sport’s most rhythmic names.
Just what amount of royalty is received by Mr. Tommy John for each time that “Tommy John” surgery is performed and each time when “Tommy John” surgery is referred to by the various media outlets?
If he isn’t getting anything for the REPEATED use of his name, he should have hired an attorney back in the day OR he should be hiring one ASAP.
To those mentioning Sam Houston State it is in Huntsville, TX not too far from the prison am sure there.
But it is sad what happened to Wesneski. He had the issue last season. Was skipped in a start. Then next turn was pushed to breaking point. 45 pitches in one inning then used in another 2 innings before pulled him then he is on disabled list next day.
McCullers is getting rehab starts more or less. He will not amount to anything like was for September in 2022 or even in his hey days in 2017 or earlier. Javier signed an extension I think before he got hurt. It will be August maybe for him. Arrighetti last heard still in a cast with his thumb. Have not heard one word or update with Garcia or France. Will either even be part of things come the deadline/this off season.
Myself I hope this whole team is changed. Fire Espada, the hitting coaches and perhaps pitching coaches. Too many of the rotation has gone down lately. Really, we have Framber and Brown really of good in rotation. Blanco is up and down. A different version of Jekyll and Hyde that Framber was.
Cam I cannot say on a return with him. He was great in ST. But for the season has not been all that and I know ST is different from the real season. A good few players struggling too. Yordan, Altuve, Diaz, Walker who is new. Chas isn’t even playing hardly. Brendan is not great with hitting. Did we only get him for Defense over Altuve. I just do not feel that good this season with management as a whole with the team and more. Dana the GM either.
But as said this is sad to happen to the guy. Makes me wonder on this guy Houston got off waivers from ATH. Has an 18.00 era and given up 12 runs.
Fire the pitching coacches ? Are you mad ?
Framber for a power hitting OF this trade deadline —-mark it
Tough news. I always liked his grit with the Cubs.
I think the trade was fair for both sides which cannot always be said. I dont know why Parades didn’t hit in Chicago as he was really good in Tampa and has been amazing for Houston both at bat and on the field. Smith is coming along. Has great strike zone knowledge and is making better contact. The Astros have an endless string of pitchers who get Tommy John which may be bad luck or bad coaching and conditions they use with their prospects.
I think astros have the edge on who won this trade, pretty fair though
Parades just had the week of his life