With the Houston Astros’ starting rotation in flux, there is an “outside chance” that pitching prospect Ethan Pecko could be called up to make his debut this week, general manager Dana Brown told the team’s pregame radio show Sunday.
Houston did not announce starters for the first two games of its upcoming series against the Angels, which begins Tuesday, with at least two spots in its rotation unsettled.
The Astros optioned Ronel Blanco to Triple-A Sugar Land after his relief appearance Saturday against Seattle. Cristian Javier and Tatsuya Imai both sat in the bullpen for Sunday’s series finale against the Mariners, an indication both would be available in relief.
Brown told the pregame show on 790 AM that Javier could be a candidate to start Tuesday, but that would depend on whether he pitched Sunday. Manager Joe Espada said he would likely announce a starter for Tuesday after Sunday’s game. Brown said Wednesday’s starter was still being discussed.
Pecko was scheduled to start Sunday for Triple-A Sugar Land, but he was scratched before the game. Brown said that was in case the Astros decide to call up Pecko to make a start this week.
“We’re having discussions right now,” Brown said. “There’s a chance that he could come up here and pitch.”
Hayden Wesneski and Hunter Brown, two of the current locks in the Astros’ rotation, started the final two days of this weekend’s series against the Mariners. Peter Lambert is scheduled to start Thursday’s finale against the Angels.