Astros fans entered spring training expecting clarity, but instead they’re watching a rotation picture that feels increasingly unstable and quietly unforgiving.
Aug 30, 2025; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Astros starting pitcher Spencer Arrighetti (41) delivers a pitch during the second inning against the Los Angeles Angels at Daikin Park. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images | Troy Taormina-Imagn Images
Hunter Brown remains the presumptive leader, while Tatsuya Imai must prove his stuff translates against major league hitters under sustained pressure.
Behind them sits Mike Burrows, newly acquired and intriguing, followed by a collection of arms carrying medical history and unanswered durability questions.
One of those arms belongs to Spencer Arrighetti, whose injury-riddled 2025 season erased what could have been a defining opportunity.
A broken thumb during batting practice started the spiral, followed by an elbow issue just as he began rebuilding innings and momentum.
That sequence effectively wiped out his season and raised long-term questions about his reliability within Houston’s plans.
Now, Arrighetti insists those concerns were overstated, offering a calm, confident update that reframes his absence as precautionary rather than alarming.
He revealed scans showed healthy ligaments, no tears, no surgery discussions, only rest and rehab that he believes solved everything.
Still, Arrighetti openly acknowledged that nothing is guaranteed, especially entering a camp crowded with motivated arms.
Cristian Javier is searching for a rebound, Lance McCullers Jr. is fighting history, and Ryan Weiss wants relevance again.
Even Nate Pearson lurks as a wild card, while several minor league starters wait quietly for opportunity to open.
The Astros’ depth creates protection, but also creates a ruthless environment where health alone may not secure a role.
Houston’s interest in a six-man rotation helps Arrighetti’s odds, but only if readiness matches reassurance.
Any rust, any setback, or any hesitation could quickly push him down the depth chart.
In a camp defined by margins, previous major league experience matters less than immediate reliability.
Arrighetti’s update sounded encouraging, but encouragement doesn’t guarantee innings.
Spring training has quietly shifted from evaluation to elimination.
And for Houston’s pitchers, the fight may be less about talent than timing.
Arrighetti may be healthy again, but the window to prove it feels uncomfortably narrow.
By the end of camp, someone with clean scans may still be left watching.
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