CHICAGO -- Astros manager A.J. Hinch informed rookie right-hander Chris Devenski on Wednesday that he is moving back to the bullpen after making four starts. Hinch wants to get back to a five-man rotation by next week, and Devenski will be the odd man out for now.
The Astros went with six starters when Lance McCullers was activated a week ago. Devenski, who was roughed up for six runs and five hits in two innings on Sunday in Boston, went 0-2 with a 5.03 ERA in four starts after allowing one earned run in 13 2/3 innings in six relief appearances. The Astros are 0-10 in games in which he's appeared.
Hinch said that Devenski will be available out of the bullpen at least through Sunday, and the expectation is that the Astros will stick with a five-man rotation after that.
"I told Devenski today he could be the guy that goes back and forth, in and out of the rotation," Hinch said. "It's not an easy role, but it's one his durability and strength can handle. He provides a different look for our 'pen.
"He's virtually a second lefty for me with his changeup. His velocity was a little higher out of the 'pen. There are a lot of reasons why he makes our staff stronger, and I think he'll start more games as we move forward, but for the purposes of planning for this series and the Texas series [this weekend in Houston], I let him know what his role will be."
With that in mind, McCullers (Friday), Mike Fiers (Saturday) and Dallas Keuchel (Sunday) will start against the Rangers this weekend at Minute Maid Park.
Devenski was called up in the first week of the season. He spent all of last season at Double-A Corpus Christi, going 7-4 with a 3.01 ERA and two saves in 24 games (17 starts). When the Hooks' season was done, he was summoned to Triple-A Fresno for the playoffs, throwing seven scoreless innings with nine strikeouts and one hit in the Triple-A championship game.