ANAHEIM, Calif. — The Houston Astros plan to activate Hayden Wesneski to start Wednesday’s game against the Angels, manager Joe Espada said, marking the right-hander’s return from Tommy John surgery.
“I’m going to be nervous, it’s going to be a good time,” Wesneski said Tuesday at Angel Stadium. “I’m excited about it.”
The Astros will plug Wesneski into the rotation spot vacated by Spencer Arrighetti’s placement on the injured list due to right foot nerve irritation. Wesneski will be on four days’ rest since his last Triple-A rehab start, in which he threw 4 1/3 innings and 80 pitches.
Espada said the Astros will “keep an eye on” Wesneski in his season debut. He will rejoin the rotation shortly after Ronel Blanco, who had elbow surgery in early June 2025, resulting in the two navigating rehab at a similar pace.
Wesneski made five minor-league rehab starts over the past month, including the last three at Triple-A. Over those 20 innings, he walked four batters and struck out 21, which he cited as a positive regarding pitch execution.
“The stuff has felt good,” Wesneski said. “There’s times it feels inconsistent, but for the most part I’ve thrown a lot of strikes, which is the biggest deal. I’m spinning it well. Little inconsistencies here and there, but I feel like for having five starts and the amount of strikes I’ve thrown for the most part, I feel like I’ve commanded the ball pretty well.”
The Astros are hoping Blanco and Wesneski can bolster a rotation that entered Tuesday with the majors’ third-highest ERA. Ineffectiveness and injuries have reduced their rotation depth, and general manager Dana Brown has stated that outfield help is Houston’s top priority before the Aug. 3 trade deadline.