The Houston Astros have faced significant challenges at the start of the 2026 season. Following a loss in extra innings on Sunday, they now have their 15th loss of the year and have dropped four consecutive games. The team currently sits at 8-15, placing them in last place in the American League West. Their 15 losses are tied for the most in all of baseball.
Adding to the struggles is a recurring issue from last season: a high number of injuries. Besides regular players like Jeremy Peña and Jake Meyers, the Astros have four starting pitchers on the injured list. Among them is their ace, Hunter Brown, as well as Tatsuya Imai and Cristian Javier. This has forced the team to constantly adjust their rotation, often making decisions about who will start just hours before games.
One player stepping into this role is Spencer Arrighetti. His recent return to the majors was impressive, and there are hopes that he can provide stability moving forward. According to The Athletic’s Chandler Rome, Arrighetti is expected to start again on Monday.
Arrighetti’s first appearance of the season came during a period of multiple injuries. He faced the Colorado Rockies at home and delivered six strong innings, allowing only one run on three hits while walking four and striking out 10 batters. In an ideal scenario, this performance would be what the Astros need from him every fifth day. However, it’s unlikely he will consistently match this level of production.
That doesn’t mean Arrighetti isn’t valuable. Throughout his major league career, he has struggled with command, but he has always had the ability to strike out batters. In 186.1 career innings, he has recorded 212 strikeouts, averaging 10.2 per nine innings. This skill has been evident since his time in the minors.
In his rookie season in 2024, Arrighetti had a 27.7 percent whiff rate, according to Baseball Savant. During that season, three of his pitches had a whiff rate above 37 percent, including his curveball, which had a 42.4 percent whiff rate. His ability to miss bats has always been present. In 14.1 Triple-A innings before being called up this year, he averaged 12.6 strikeouts per nine innings.
Despite his talent, Arrighetti has struggled with control. For his career, he averages 4.3 walks per nine innings, contributing to a 1.401 WHIP. However, he has shown the potential to be a reliable innings eater at the major league level. In 145 innings during the 2024 season, his highest total, he posted a 4.53 ERA and 89 ERA+. His FIP, however, suggested he was unlucky, as it was at 4.18.
Overall, Arrighetti could be the key to helping the Astros navigate their current injury crisis. He can consistently pitch six innings, something he did 12 times during his rookie year, and he has the ability to strike out plenty of batters. While his ERA may not be eye-catching, the Astros need consistency and innings more than anything right now.
