When the Houston Astros got their healthy offense back, the pitching took a hit. In miserable news for the Astros, starting pitcher Luis Garcia exited his second start of the season Wednesday night in Toronto after just five outs with right elbow discomfort. It most certainly means Garcia’s season is over just when it was starting.
Astros Pitching Injuries Piling Up
It was 1.2 scoreless innings from Garcia before he suddenly stopped and motioned towards the Astros’ trainers. This was after he winced while making an 88-mph pitch and pointed to his surgically repaired arm. Garcia has yet to comment, understandably so, while there is still more information to be learned on what exactly happened.
Either way, Garcia has been moved to the injured list and flew back to Houston right after the game to get checked out. This was very sad to see for Garcia, more than anything, who returned after a lengthy 28-month recovery from Tommy John surgery in May 2023 and a couple of setbacks.
A Closer Look At Luis Garcia
Garcia made his first start since May 1, 2023, on Sept. 1, and it looked like a great step in the right direction. The 28-year-old threw six innings on 79 pitches and gave up three earned runs along with three hits. Garcia also had six strikeouts and no walks in the win over the Angels.
While there was a couple of mph dip in velocity on all his pitches, it was nonetheless effective. A favorite among the Astros clubhouse as well, it was difficult to see the transition from the first to second game with his teammates being so excited for him, followed by the devastation of Garcia suffering another setback.
The 2022 World Series champion played a critical part in their title win three years ago, with a 3.72 ERA in 28 starts. Garcia had a 15-8 record that season and threw 157.1 innings along with 157 strikeouts. A key member of the rotation, he had six starts in 2023 before his injury.
The pitching injuries keep coming in for the Astros, who announced right-handed starter Spencer Arrighetti was placed on the 15-day injured list Sept. 3 with right elbow inflammation. This means he is likely out for the rest of the season, according to manager Joe Espada. This was disappointing news for Houston, as Arrighetti had just come back on Aug. 6 after being out for four months from a fractured right thumb. While he struggled in his first five starts back with a 5.26 ERA, Arrighetti had his best performance of the season on Aug. 30 vs the Angels, going 6.1 innings and allowing only one hit and one run with eight strikeouts.
Add another to the list.
Additionally, it was announced Friday that Lance McCullers Jr. is once again back on the 15-day injured list, this time with soreness in his right hand. McCullers recently pitched two innings out of the bullpen on Thursday in Toronto and gave up one run. He then immediately flew back to Houston for further testing.
This injury likely puts him out for the rest of the regular season, with potential postseason usage in question due to McCullers’ performance so far. 2025 has been a rough year for LMJ, even with his much-awaited return. McCullers has a 6.88 ERA this season in 15 games, along with a 2-5 record.
This is the fourth time this season McCullers has been placed on the IL, each with a different kind of injury. It includes a right finger blister and a right foot sprain. While the two-time World Series champion was moved to the bullpen for the first time, that has not seemed to help either. Colton Gordon has been recalled once again and might have to play a bigger role now.
Future of the Astros’ 2025 rotation
What looked to be an Astros rotation full of depth is now suddenly looking thin and uncertain. The Astros have four starters in Hunter Brown, Framber Valdez, Jason Alexander, and Cristian Javier. Even in that, Valdez has been a bit inconsistent, Alexander is fresh on the scene, and Javier has just made six big league starts after Tommy John surgery. AJ Blubaugh will be an essential name to watch to see if he might move to become a starter. More likely to be in that fifth starter role is J.P. France, who was recently recalled from the Sugar Land Space Cowboys.
Main Photo Credits: John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images
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