UPDATE: Houston Astros right-hander Spencer Arrighetti is back in action after a lengthy stint on the injured list, activated just in time to start against the Miami Marlins on Wednesday, April 12, 2023. Arrighetti, sidelined since early April due to a broken thumb, expressed excitement, stating, “It kind of feels like my debut all over again,” according to MLB.com.
Arrighetti suffered the injury on April 7 when a line drive struck him while he played catch in left field. After making three rehab starts, he returns to the mound with a 1-1 record and a 5.59 ERA in two starts this season. The sixth-round pick from the 2021 amateur draft previously finished his rookie year with a 7-13 record and a 4.53 ERA over 28 starts.
To accommodate Arrighetti’s return, the Astros have optioned right-hander AJ Blubaugh to Triple-A Sugar Land. In further developments, Cristian Javier, who underwent Tommy John surgery in June 2024, threw 77 pitches in a rehab start for Triple-A Sugar Land on Tuesday. Manager Joe Espada indicated that Javier could rejoin the rotation as soon as next week, adding another layer of anticipation for Astros fans.
The return of Arrighetti is crucial for the Astros, who are fighting to maintain their competitive edge in the league. Fans are eager to see how this reinforcement will affect the team’s performance against the Marlins. Stay tuned as we monitor this developing story and the potential impact on the Astros’ playoff aspirations.