Astros option struggling Burrows to Minors, assess rotation options

WASHINGTON -- He was one of the Astros’ biggest offseason additions, coming to Houston from the Pirates in a three-team trade that cost the Astros’ two top prospects, and now right-hander Mike Burrows is headed to Triple-A Sugar Land to try to get his season back on track.

The decision to option Burrows comes after he allowed 10 runs (seven earned) in 4 1/3 innings in a 12-11 loss to the Nationals on Monday, leaving him with the most earned runs (63) allowed in the American League, as well as the league's highest ERA among qualified pitchers (5.99 in 94 2/3 innings).

“We need to get him down there and try to get him right, try to create some swing and miss,” Astros manager Joe Espada said. “Something’s got to change how he approaches these hitters and try to avoid some solid contact. He’s shown that he’s capable of doing that, but we need to help him through this. Obviously, it was not an easy conversation, but he understands and I’m sure he’s going down with the right attitude and get it right.”

Rookie right-hander Alimber Santa (Houston's No. 16 prospect per MLB Pipeline) was recalled from Triple-A to take Burrows’ place on the roster, but the Astros now have a spot in their rotation they need to fill for Sunday’s game against the Rangers in Arlington -- the final matchup before the All-Star break.

Among the options, general manager Dana Brown said, is Cristian Javier -- who was activated from the injured list last week and threw two innings in relief Saturday. He made three starts to begin the season before landing on the IL with a shoulder strain. Brown also mentioned Ronel Blanco, who threw in a rehab outing Tuesday at Triple-A, and No. 6 prospect Ethan Pecko, who was named the Pacific Coast League Pitcher of the Month for June, as options.

“We have options coming back [from the injured list], right?” Brown said. “And so we have to make sure that we're giving this team the best opportunity to win. And oftentimes, if it takes the young guys like Burrows a little bit more time, then we'll do that.”

Brown said Houston would like Burrows to get more action in the strike zone on his fastball, whether it’s more sink or more ride, so the pitch isn’t as hittable. Opposing batters are hitting .315 against his fastball -- 25th highest among 211 qualified four-seam fastballs -- and they have a .716 slugging percentage against his fastball -- fifth highest. His fastball is worth -9 run value this season. Only five pitchers have recorded a lower run value with their four-seamer.

The Astros would also like Burrows to work on better command of his changeup, which can get swings and misses when it’s below the strike zone, more depth on the slider or perhaps throw his two-seamer more to get ground balls.

“I mean, he has weapons, but he has to fine-tune them," Brown said. “He was getting into uncharted territory in terms of this many innings [career high was 96 last year].”

Burrows was one of six pitchers Brown acquired in the offseason on Major League deals, including Ryan Weiss and Roddery Muñoz, who have been designated for assignment. Kai-Wei Teng was optioned to Triple-A, but is now on the Major League injured list. The others are Nate Pearson, who has a 3.79 ERA in the Astros’ bullpen, and Tatsuya Imai, the Japanese star who entered his start Tuesday with a 6.14 ERA.

The biggest pitching addition bright spot has been Peter Lambert, who is 7-5 with a 3.26 ERA in 14 starts this year. He was signed to a Minor League deal after pitching last season in Japan.

“I still think the jury's still out but at the end of the day, we have some guys that have shown some bright spots,” Brown said. “We have some guys that have taken some steps backwards. You know, Imai shows really well sometimes, and then he'll have games where he doesn't pitch as well. Burrows was the same way.”

The Astros could be in the market for a starting pitcher at the Trade Deadline, but Brown reiterated Tuesday the team’s biggest need remains a left-handed outfield bat.

“That’s going to be our main need,” he said. “That could come from the Minor Leagues, [whether] it’s a guy like [No. 10 prospect Lucas] Spence, who’s really playing well in Triple-A. We’re not afraid to ball him up if he continues to swing the bat and continues to play well.”