Wesneski to make first MLB start in nearly 15 months: 'I don’t know how to act'

ANAHEIM -- More pitching help is on the way for the Astros, with right-hander Hayden Wesneski slated to be reinstated from the injured list and start Wednesday’s series finale against the Angels at Angel Stadium.

Wesenski, one of three players the Astros acquired in December 2024 from the Cubs in the Kyle Tucker trade, will be pitching in a Major League game for the first time since May 6, 2025. He was in the Houston rotation to begin last year and was 1-3 with a 4.50 ERA in 32 innings before getting injured.

“I’m going to be nervous,” he said. “I’m excited about it. I don’t know how to act tomorrow, to be honest with you. The first time I threw off the mound in the FCL [Florida Complex League], it was big time. Tomorrow, I can’t tell you how I’ll act, but I’ll figure it out.”

Wesneski, a Houston native who was 9-13 with a 3.93 ERA in 190 innings in three seasons with the Cubs, is the second Astros pitcher to return from Tommy John surgery this month. Right-hander Ronel Blanco returned July 20 and has made two starts, posting an 8.10 ERA. In fact, Blanco and Wesneski both had Tommy John surgery within a couple weeks of each other and pushed each other through the recovery.

“Certain times were fine and certain times it wasn’t,” Wesneski said. “It had ebbs and flows. The first eight weeks with the brace weren’t great, but having Ronel Blanco next to me really did help a lot. He’s a great person and he helped push me and keep me motivated. There were times in Florida [during rehab] it was getting a little dull and boring, but we worked through it. Obviously, I’m very excited for tomorrow.”

Wesneski posted a 2.25 ERA in five Minor League rehab starts, striking out 21 batters in 20 innings. In his final rehab start Friday at Triple-A Sugar Land, he struck out seven batters, throwing 80 pitches, 49 for strikes, while topping out at 95.9 mph.

“The stuff has felt good,” he said. “There are times it felt inconsistent, but for the most part I’ve thrown a lot of strikes, which is the biggest deal. I’m spinning it well. There’s little inconsistencies here and there, but having five starts and the amount of strikes I’ve thrown, for the most part I’ve commanded the ball pretty well.”

What’s next for Imai?
Astros manager Joe Espada met Tuesday afternoon with struggling starter Tatsuya Imai to discuss his next steps. Imai recorded only two outs in Monday’s comeback win over the Angels, throwing 33 pitches before being pulled. It was the third time this year he’s failed to get out of the first inning.

“We talked about a couple of things we saw during the game, gave him a few ideas of how to prepare and make some adjustments for his next outing,” Espada said. “We did not discuss any plans for his next turn in the rotation. We just talked about some general stuff we saw. We’ll sit down and plan out what our rotation against the Rangers [this weekend] is going to look like.”

Imai has a 5.83 ERA and 1.53 WHIP in 15 starts, allowing 6.14 walks per nine innings. His next turn in the rotation would be Monday against the Blue Jays in Houston, but his status in the rotation going forward appears uncertain.

“For me, it’s more mechanical,” Espada said. “His direction, sometimes it affects his release point, his extension and the consistency to repeat his delivery. I think that’s what we’re seeing the most often when it affects his command and control during his outings.”

Imai signed a three-year, $54 million deal with the Astros in January, but has struggled to find his footing in the Houston rotation.

“We’re here to help him out,” Espada said. “We’ll work through this with him. We believe in his stuff, and when he’s on, he’s really good.”