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Astros Looking For Starting Pitching

By Darragh McDonald | June 3, 2025 at 4:56pm CDT

The Astros lost yet another rotation member to the surgeon’s table recently, with Ronel Blanco requiring Tommy John surgery. He will officially undergo that procedure this Friday, per Chandler Rome of The Athletic. Bob Nightengale of USA Today reports that the club is on the lookout for more starting pitching.

It shouldn’t come as a shock that Houston has this focus. They currently have six viable starting pitchers on the injured list, most of them unlikely to return anytime soon. Luis Garcia hasn’t pitched in the majors in over two years now, as he has repeatedly hit setbacks in his attempts to return from his own Tommy John surgery. Cristian Javier underwent that procedure in June of last year. Hayden Wesneski required it last month and, as mentioned, Blanco is next. In addition to all those Tommy Johns, J.P. France is still recovering from last year’s shoulder surgery and has an uncertain timeline.

Spencer Arrighetti is also on the IL, though he hasn’t required surgery. He suffered a right thumb fracture in a bizarre accident, getting struck by an errant ball while throwing on the field during batting practice. That means he could be able to return quicker than the guys who did require surgery, though he’s not especially close either. Manager Joe Espada said last week that the righty is now out of the cast and playing catch, per Leah Vann of chron.com. He suffered his fracture almost two months ago and will presumably need to ramp up his throwing program before going on a rehab assignment for a few weeks.

That leaves the Astros with a very top-heavy rotation in the short term. Framber Valdez and Hunter Brown are a fantastic one-two punch at the front but it gets flimsy behind them. Lance McCullers Jr. is back after his own two-year-plus injury odyssey and has made five starts thus far with mixed results. He is obviously talented but it’s anyone’s guess what to expect from him now after such a lengthy absence.

Ryan Gusto and Colton Gordon currently have two rotation spots but they have less than 60 big league innings pitched combined. AJ Blubaugh and Brandon Walter are also inexperienced arms on the 40-man, currently on optional assignment. Jason Alexander is also on the 40-man, though he’s a 32-year-old veteran swingman. Miguel Ullola is a notable prospect but he’s not on the roster and has only 36 Triple-A innings under his belt so far.

Taken all together, it’s understandable that the front office wants to add to this group. Doing so this far in advance of the July 31st trade deadline will be a challenge. Most clubs prefer to hang onto their players until closer to the deadline to see if they can hang in the playoff race. Even those teams with pitchers to offer usually prefer to wait with the hope that the pressure of the deadline will drive up prices. To get a major deal done earlier usually comes at a premium.

Even as the deadline approaches, the Astros will probably have to walk a fine line. They have clearly been trying to avoid paying the competitive balance tax this year. While they made some notable offseason additions such as signing Christian Walker, they also moved some money around by flipping Kyle Tucker and Ryan Pressly to the Cubs in separate deals. RosterResource puts their CBT number at just under $236MM, which puts them about $5MM away from this year’s $241MM base threshold.

Assuming they still want to stay under that line, they will have to avoid taking on significant salary in the coming weeks. Asking another club to eat money in a deal could help them in that regard, though that usually means having to pay a higher price in terms of prospect capital. Houston’s farm system is generally considered one of the weaker ones in the sport, so that could be a tricky balancing act.

Elsewhere on the roster, infielder/outfielder Zach Dezenzo landed on the 10-day IL a few days ago due to left hand inflammation. The club told reporters today, including Rome, that Dezenzo has a capsule sprain. He will be resting for the next two weeks and will get more imaging done at that time. Even if declared healthy at that point, he will presumably need to take some time to get back into game shape, either via some live batting practice or a rehab assignment.

Photo courtesy of Troy Taormina, Imagn Images.

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View Comments (46)
Post a Comment

46 Comments

  1. mlbnyyfan

    2 weeks ago

    Okay, how about Stroman for Cam Smith to play 3B? I will even throw in DJL for 6 hot dogs

    3
    Reply
    • HBan22

      2 weeks ago

      I don’t see this one happening.

      4
      Reply
    • Cash-Man-NY

      2 weeks ago

      Don’t count DJ out yet plus he’s a good guy he should at least come with six drinks to go with the dogs if they do end up moving him

      Reply
    • Captainmike1

      2 weeks ago

      Astros GM not interested

      3
      Reply
    • Captainmike1

      2 weeks ago

      I think DJ is going to embarrass a lot of unbelieving fans with his performance this year

      Reply
    • Hammerin' Hank

      2 weeks ago

      Yeah, the Yankees would love that.

      Reply
  2. C Yards Jeff

    2 weeks ago

    Orioles are out of it already. Enough seen to make an offer on Surgano?

    Reply
    • bwmiller79

      2 weeks ago

      O’s are going to be interesting with their extensions and in the FA and trade markets the next few seasons.

      Reply
      • Major League Baseball Fan

        2 weeks ago

        They are already interesting, in a weird way. I don’t get them, not quite Angels, Rockies, don’t get them, but kinda.
        Is Baltimore trying to win a championship?

        1
        Reply
        • HBan22

          2 weeks ago

          Not trying hard enough.

          1
          Reply
  3. runningwithnailclippers

    2 weeks ago

    I think the Reds would trade for bats for a starter like Brady Singer. They could bring up Chase Burns soon to replace him. Or maybe they would trade Martinez, The Reds just need pro hitters. Plus, they could include some other excess pieces in the minors.

    2
    Reply
  4. Luis_Fazenda

    2 weeks ago

    The way arms are falling apart these days, you could pretty much apply the title to the entire league.

    1
    Reply
  5. 0523me

    2 weeks ago

    The Brewers have a plethora of starters and really need a bat, something could get worked out there

    4
    Reply
    • stubby66

      2 weeks ago

      Heck yeah we can trade three guys like Civale, Quintana and Myers.. Which would make us better because we have to find room for Henderson, Miz, and Woodruff. We still will have plenty of SP. We could even trade some good RP pitchers like Payamps, Hudson, Zastaney, Pegurio, Mcgee and Yeager and still be in good shape

      Reply
      • NashvilleJeff

        2 weeks ago

        Payamps passed through waivers and went unclaimed 5 days ago. No trade value.

        Reply
      • notagiantsfan

        2 weeks ago

        Civale shouldn’t be a tremendous ask by the Brewers. I’m sure they would like a MLB ready 3B, but Civale alone doesn’t get that done.. Maybe a player or two from Houston Top 20 – 30 range prospects?

        Quintana probably would be a selection of lottery tickets????

        1
        Reply
  6. TJECK109

    2 weeks ago

    Pirates will give up a starter for any player with a chronic injury

    2
    Reply
  7. andthenisaid

    2 weeks ago

    Come on Astros, come get Matz and/or Fedde from the Cardinals!

    Reply
    • mlbnyyfan

      2 weeks ago

      Baltimore had all the best prospects and a chance to do something but somehow fell flat. Ownership will have a tough time keeping all the young players

      Reply
  8. dajuba

    2 weeks ago

    I mean really, the title should just read “All Teams Looking For Starting Pitching”

    1
    Reply
  9. foppert3

    2 weeks ago

    Hicks and/or Tristan Beck from the Giants. Little bit of re stretching out and you’re good to go.

    Somebody that has a hit with risp in the last month, at any level, will do as a return.

    Reply
  10. Astros West Texas

    2 weeks ago

    vs Skenes – I’ll take it!

    McCullers Jr.
    6.0 2 0 0 1 7 0 4.44

    Astros up 1-0

    2
    Reply
    • mlb1225

      2 weeks ago

      Against the Pirates’ line-up, doesn’t count.

      3
      Reply
  11. Captainmike1

    2 weeks ago

    Yanks will give them Stroman, no charge, just take over his contract

    1
    Reply
  12. Astros_fan_in_Aus

    2 weeks ago

    “Lance McCullers Jr. is back after his own two-year-plus injury odyssey and has made five starts thus far with mixed results.”
    Lance has had one shaky start (his 2nd), and apart from that has an ERA in the low 2’s. Just today he threw 6 IP, 2H, 1BB 7K 0ER

    3
    Reply
  13. ButCanHePitch

    2 weeks ago

    As a non-Astros fan I say don’t give them any starting pitching and make them have to go on a rebuild.

    That aside, as big of a Ranger Suarez I’d think that if the Phils don’t plan on extending him they should trade him. With how good he is they’d be able to get a great haul back for him. Not sure what the Astros have that would be enticing for Philadelphia, though.

    Reply
    • vtadave

      2 weeks ago

      Phillies are 36-23. They aren’t trading Suarez.

      1
      Reply
    • poolerh

      2 weeks ago

      Doubtful the Phils would even entertain the notion of trading any major league talent as long as they are in position to make the playoffs. Also doubtful the Astros have anyone in their minors that would even get a conversation started for Suarez.

      1
      Reply
    • Major League Baseball Fan

      2 weeks ago

      We have a winner.

      Reply
    • Philly 6

      2 weeks ago

      I’d agree with you on trading Suarez IF: Abel and Painter can be counted on this year – trending the right way. But I have no idea what the Astros could send back in return that would be sufficient. Phillies need bullpen help, future catching depth, and possibly outfield assistance for this year.

      I don’t see the Phillies signing Suarez, unfortunately, if they have Wheeler, Sanchez, Luzardo, Nola, Painter and Abel lined up. in the future…

      1
      Reply
  14. Mr_KLC

    2 weeks ago

    Call the Angels and get Kikuchi back.

    1
    Reply
    • poolerh

      2 weeks ago

      Astros didn’t even make an effort to re-sign him, why would they trade for him again?

      Reply
      • davengmusic

        2 weeks ago

        Too expensive to resign him. Plus they felt they had enough arms at the time.

        They did trade for Maldonado twice though, so if LAA pays down enough of that contact, it’s a possibility.

        1
        Reply
  15. hiflew

    2 weeks ago

    I see this as a logical landing spot for German Marquez. He has not been great for the Rockies, but he has been much better than the numbers say. His ERA is 6.98, but his FIP is only 3.96. And he seems to be just hitting his stride after coming back from TJ.

    1
    Reply
    • WadeBoggsWildRide

      2 weeks ago

      But the Rockies don’t believe in trading.

      Reply
  16. MLBSPOCK

    2 weeks ago

    trevor baur is really cheap and people already hate the astros so go get him

    1
    Reply
    • Steinbrenner2728

      2 weeks ago

      The thing is, he won’t be coming back to MLB, not even the Astros would try and get him, he’s under contract with his NPB team as well.

      Reply
    • Major League Baseball Fan

      2 weeks ago

      I mute sad Incel F***s.

      Reply
  17. Hebner3B

    2 weeks ago

    Mitch Keller from the Buccos?
    He’s suffering from the lack of support from the anemic Pirates’ bats.

    Reply
  18. Major League Baseball Fan

    2 weeks ago

    Check under the couch cushions.

    Reply

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