After weeks of underwhelming performances and mounting pressure, the Houston Astros have officially announced a rotation shakeup, confirming the replacement of rookie pitcher Spencer Arrighetti amid his early-season struggles.
The club revealed on Monday that Arrighetti, who has shown flashes of potential but has battled with command and consistency, will be moved out of the starting rotation as the team looks to stabilize its pitching staff. The Astros have called up veteran right-hander Jake Bloss from Triple-A Sugar Land to take over the spot, with the expectation that the move could be permanent depending on performance.
“Spencer is a talented young arm with a bright future, but we feel it’s best for him and for the team to take a step back right now,” manager Joe Espada said. “This is about development, not punishment — and we’re confident he’ll come back stronger.”
Arrighetti, 24, has posted an ERA north of 7.00 through his first few starts, struggling to locate his fastball and giving up early runs that have put the Astros in tough positions. While the front office remains optimistic about his long-term upside, the move signals Houston’s commitment to staying competitive in a tight AL West race.
Bloss, who has impressed with a 2.78 ERA and 42 strikeouts in 36.2 innings at Triple-A, is viewed as a plug-and-play option who could help anchor the back end of the rotation. The Astros are hopeful his experience and poise can provide immediate results and some much-needed stability.
“Jake’s been lights out at every level, and we believe he’s ready for this moment,” Espada added.
With the Astros still clawing their way back into postseason position, every game — and every arm — counts. While Arrighetti’s future in the big leagues remains bright, Houston is making it clear: performance dictates opportunity.
As the Astros eye another playoff push, the message is simple — they’re not afraid to make bold moves to win now.
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