Reinforcements nearing as McCullers, Blanco & Peña make rehab appearance at Triple-A
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WASHINGTON -- The Astros have an open slot in their starting rotation after they optioned right-hander Mike Burrows to Triple-A Sugar Land on Tuesday, one day after he gave up 10 runs (seven earned) in 4 1/3 innings in a loss to the Nationals.
Astros general manager Dana Brown said Tuesday that right-hander Cristian Javier, who came off the injured list and was placed in the bullpen, was a candidate to join the rotation, along with right-hander Ronel Blanco, who made his fourth Minor League appearance Tuesday for Triple-A Sugar Land at home against Albuquerque.
Veteran right-hander Lance McCullers Jr. started the game for the Space Cowboys and gave up four runs (two earned) on three hits and three walks while striking out four batters. He threw 77 pitches (43 strikes) and topped out at 93.3 mph, averaging 90.6 mph with his four-seam fastball.
The 32-year-old has been on the IL since May 19 with what he described as a right rotator impingement. McCullers was originally scratched from his scheduled start that day with right shoulder inflammation. He said that the issue had been bothering him for a few starts, but he was typically able to push through it.
McCullers recorded a 6.86 ERA in 39 1/3 innings across eight starts with the Astros to start this season, but it’s unclear what’s next for him.
Blanco entered for Sugar Land in the sixth and threw two scoreless innings, retiring all six batters he faced (two strikeouts). The game was called in the bottom of the seventh inning because of weather, with Blanco earning the win in Sugar Land's 6-5 victory.
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Blanco, named the Astros’ Pitcher of the Year in 2024 before he had Tommy John surgery last June, threw only 27 pitches, 18 for strikes.
Astros shortstop Jeremy Peña, who’s been out since June 28 with a left calf strain, started at shortstop for the Space Cowboys in his first Minor League rehab game and went 1-for-4 with an RBI double. He’s expected to join the Astros on Friday in Arlington.
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Peña has slashed .295/.356/.443 this year, including .307/.372/.471 with six homers and 21 RBIs in 38 games since coming off the injured list May 18. The Astros are 23-15 in those 38 games and 26-22 in games in which Peña plays this season. This is Peña’s second IL stint of the season after he missed over a month with a Grade 1 right hamstring strain.