As Major League Baseball prepares for roster expansion on September 1, the Houston Astros are considering the return of right-handed pitcher Mike Burrows to their rotation. Burrows has been sidelined since July due to elbow neuritis but has shown promising signs during his rehabilitation, posting an impressive 2.03 ERA across three Triple-A starts.
Astros manager Joe Espada confirmed that Burrows is "definitely in the conversation" for a spot on the roster as they look to bolster a pitching staff that has been under considerable strain. With the ability to add one pitcher and one position player, the Astros are faced with the challenge of enhancing their rotation, which has been described as "tenuous" due to recent performances and fatigue among their bullpen.
In anticipation of the upcoming four-game series against the Chicago White Sox, the Astros have already named starters for three of the games. Peter Lambert is set to take the mound for the opener on Monday, while Hayden Wesneski and Hunter Brown will pitch the latter two games. However, the team has yet to announce a starter for Tuesday, the day rosters expand, leaving the door open for Burrows to step in.
Burrows has made significant progress in his recovery, with two of his rehab outings being scoreless. Prior to his injury, he struggled with a 5.99 ERA in 94 ⅔ innings for the Astros, leading to his option to Triple-A in July. His return could provide much-needed stability to a rotation that has been pieced together with recent call-ups and spot starters.
Currently, the Astros are managing their pitching depth with rookie Ethan Pecko making his third major-league start on Sunday against the New York Mets. The team has also experimented with an opener strategy, utilizing Bennett Sousa in a recent game, followed by Cristian Javier as a bulk-innings reliever. This approach underscores the urgency for the Astros to solidify their rotation as they navigate a demanding schedule of 13 consecutive games without a day off.
Burrows was acquired from the Pittsburgh Pirates in a three-team trade last offseason, and while his first-half performance was inconsistent, he demonstrated the ability to pitch deep into games, completing at least five innings in 15 of his 17 starts. This endurance could prove invaluable for the Astros as they seek to manage their pitching staff's workload during this critical stretch of the season.
In addition to the potential addition of Burrows, Espada indicated that the team is exploring various options for the extra position player spot. The Astros have several candidates at Triple-A, including outfielders Jake Meyers, Joey Loperfido, Zach Dezenzo, Lucas Spence, and Zach Cole, as well as infielder Raynel Delgado and catcher Collin Price. The decision will ultimately depend on the team's immediate needs and strategy moving forward.
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