WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. -- Shortly after his arrival at Houston's Spring Training complex a few weeks ago, Astros pitching coaches did something with Kai-Wei Teng that none of his other teams had ever done.
Houston's coaches prepared a long presentation, complete with tables and graphics showing him how to improve this season, often through better utilization of his five pitches.
“That really impressed,” Teng said via an interpreter. “Really impressed.”
Houston acquired the 27-year-old righty in a January trade with San Francisco following a 2025 season in which he posted a 2-4 record with a 6.37 ERA and 39 strikeouts in 29 2/3 innings.
A starter during nearly all of his Minor League career with Minnesota and San Francisco, Teng transitioned to some bullpen duty two years ago with the Giants. Only seven of his 12 Major League appearances over the past two seasons came as a starter, including his final six outings.
“The experience there actually helped me a lot to adjust this year,” Teng said of his bullpen time with the Giants.
All three of Teng's Grapefruit League appearances thus far have come out of the bullpen. That will change on Friday when he draws the start in Jupiter against the Cardinals.
“I really look forward to it,” Teng said. “I just try to stay locked in and to focus on the next pitch and trying to be my best, do my best.”
Thus far this spring, Teng has allowed two earned runs -- both on homers -- in 5 2/3 innings with four walks and four strikeouts.
Manager Joe Espada hopes to see Teng build on what he's already accomplished this spring.
“We're going to stretch him,” Espada said. “We'll get him twice through that lineup and see him pass that 35- to 40-pitch mark, how that looks.”
Teng's especially pleased with the feel of his sweeper, which elicits swings and misses.
“He creates whiffs,” Espada said. “Lefties, righties, he can get punchies. And if you can get punchouts, that plays.”
Espada and the Astros are still considering starting the season with a six-man rotation. With Hunter Brown, Tatsuya Imai, Cristian Javier, Mike Burrows, Spencer Arrighetti and Lance McCullers Jr. all vying for those spots, Teng appears to be on the outside looking in at the moment.
Given the choice, Teng would prefer to start.
“So for now, I personally like being a starter, but you know, whatever the team needs me to do, I'll do my best,” Teng said. “My main goal is to help the team win.”
If Teng does make the big league squad as a member of the ‘pen, he'll likely fill the role of swingman/long reliever.
It's a role Espada has grown to value.
“One thing I've learned in two years in this job is that those guys in the middle are very important,” Espada said. “They protect your starting pitcher, and they save the back end of your bullpen. And if you could have multiple guys that could do that, or can be an opener, there's value to all that.”