Throughout the season, the Houston Astros have suffered numerous injuries to key players, including many starting pitchers. Cristian Javier, Luis Garcia, Yordan Alvarez and Isaac Paredes have all spent time on the 60-day IL this season. At one point earlier in the year, Houston had 18 different players on the injured list at once.
Now, Spencer Arrighetti is headed to the 15-day injured list soon after returning from injury, according to Astros beat writer Chandler Rome. Arrighetti recently returned to the Astros rotation on Aug. 6 after rehabbing a broken thumb suffered in April. Unfortunately for the Astros and Arrighetti, he only made seven starts before being placed on the IL once more due to right elbow inflammation.
In those seven starts, Arrighetti left plenty to be desired, posting a 1-5 record with a 5.35 ERA.
Luckily for Houston, Cristian Javier just returned from injury a few starts prior and Luis Garcia made his first start since 2023, having now fully recovered from Tommy John surgery.
As a result of the injury, Houston may have a tough time holding onto their lead in the American League West, currently leading the Seattle Mariners by three games with 23 games remaining until the postseason.
In the meantime, the Astros will have to find innings elsewhere and may look to the free-agent market for a veteran starter. Arrighetti will hope to be back with the team in late September with enough time to prove himself worthy of a spot on the postseason roster.