Report: Astros call up top pitching prospect Spencer Arrighetti

Field Level Media|published: Tue 9th April, 20:41 2024

Feb 26, 2024; Lakeland, Florida, USA; Houston Astros pitcher Spencer Arrighetti (75) pitches during the first inning against the Detroit Tigers at Publix Field at Joker Marchant Stadium. credits: Mike Watters-USA TODAY Sports

Right-hander Spencer Arrighetti, the Houston Astros' top pitching prospect, will make his major league debut on Wednesday against the host Kansas City Royals, The Athletic reported on Tuesday.

Arrighetti, 24, will be called up from Triple-A Sugar Land to fill in for All-Star left-hander Framber Valdez, who went on the 15-day injured list on Tuesday with elbow soreness.

Along with Valdez, the Astros have been hit hard by injuries to their rotation this season, with Justin Verlander, Jose Urquidy, Lance McCullers Jr. and Luis Garcia all on the IL.

Verlander (shoulder) could return next week after another minor league rehab start this weekend, but Urquidy, McCullers and Garcia aren't expected back any time soon.

A sixth-round pick in 2021, Arrighetti was named the Astros' Minor League Pitcher of the Year last season and is ranked by MLB.com as the organization's No. 1 pitching prospect.

This season at Triple-A, he has made two starts and has a 2.16 ERA over eight innings.

In other moves Tuesday, the Astros transferred right-hander Oliver Ortega (elbow surgery) from the 15- to the 60-day injured list; recalled left-hander Parker Mushinski from Sugar Land; optioned right-hander Blair Henly to Sugar Land; and selected the contract of right-hander Wander Suero from Sugar Land.

—Field Level Media