Astros suffer setback as promising young starter Spencer Arrighetti breaks his right thumb, sidelining a key rotation arm indefinitely.
Freak Injury During Pregame Warmups
According to Chandler Rome of The Athletic, the incident occurred during pregame warmups at T-Mobile Park in Seattle. While casually playing catch in the outfield, Arrighetti was accidentally struck by a batted ball as the Mariners took batting practice. The timing couldn’t be worse for the 25-year-old right-hander or the Astros.
Astros manager Joe Espada confirmed that Arrighetti would undergo testing by the team’s medical staff in Seattle. The club has not yet released a timeline for his return, but an extended stint on the Injured List now seems likely.
Why This Is a Huge Blow to Houston
Heading into the 2025 season, Arrighetti had emerged as a legitimate No. 3 starter behind veterans Framber Valdez and Hunter Brown. His late-season surge in 2024—highlighted by a 2.72 ERA from August 1 through the end of the regular season—had given fans and analysts confidence that he could be a long-term asset in the rotation.
However, with Lance McCullers Jr. and Luis Garcia already on the shelf, Houston’s starting depth is beginning to look dangerously thin. The team can’t afford to lose another impact arm, especially as they fight to stay competitive in a tightly contested AL West division.
Hayden Wesneski Steps Into the Spotlight
With Arrighetti unavailable, the Astros are turning to Hayden Wesneski, a midseason acquisition who made his Houston debut last week. Wesneski showed flashes of potential, allowing three runs in five innings at Daikin Park. While not dominant, a serviceable outing kept the Astros in the game.
But now, Wesneski will be tasked with stepping into a more significant role. On Monday night, he’ll face a tough challenge as the Astros take on the Mariners at T-Mobile Park. Seattle will counter with Logan Gilbert, a 2024 All-Star and a rising candidate for the Cy Young Award. For Houston to remain competitive in this series, Wesneski must step up quickly.
Rotation Woes Piling Up
The Astros’ rotation was already under pressure before Arrighetti’s injury. They recently gave up 15 runs across two games against the Minnesota Twins, exposing cracks in their pitching foundation. While the team did bounce back with a 9-7 win in the series finale, inconsistency continues to haunt them.
Valdez and Brown consistently deliver quality starts but can’t carry the entire load themselves. Lacking reliable depth, Houston might tap into its farm system or pursue outside reinforcements through trades or free agency.
What’s Next for the Astros?
Astros suffer setback as Arrighetti’s absence directly impacts the team’s performance and disrupts the club’s long-term plans. Houston counted on its young arms to step up and form a cost-effective, high-upside core to lead the rotation into the future. However, the team may need to rethink those plans as injuries continue to mount.
In the short term, Astros suffer setback again as all eyes turn to Wesneski and the rest of the back-end starters to fill the void. Houston might stay afloat if they can hold down the fort until reinforcements return. But if the rotation continues to crumble, the front office could be forced to act sooner rather than later.