The Astros were hoping Mike Burrows might be part of the answer for their unsettled rotation. Instead, they got another injury wrinkle.
Burrows, who had been working his way back from right elbow neuritis, hit a snag after what had been a promising rehab assignment with Triple-A Sugar Land. Manager Joe Espada said Tuesday that imaging on Burrows’ right shoulder showed inflammation after the right-hander felt his shoulder "barking" on Monday while playing catch. Burrows returned from the rehab assignment on Wednesday, according to Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle.
That update lands at an awkward time for Houston, which still needs more rotation depth behind its top three starters - Hunter Brown, Peter Lambert, and Hayden Wesneski. The Astros had been eyeing Burrows as a possible reinforcement, especially with the MLB rosters expanding to 28 players on Sept. 1.
Burrows had started to look like a real candidate to help. He made three rehab starts for Sugar Land beginning Aug. 14 and posted a 2.03 ERA over 13.1 innings, allowing three runs. He threw 8.1 combined scoreless innings across his first two outings and worked past four innings in both of those starts.
Before the injury issues, though, his season had already gone sideways. Burrows was struggling badly in the first half, putting up a 5.99 ERA in 18 games while allowing 21 homers. He was originally optioned to Triple-A in July, but that move was nullified when he was placed on the 15-day injured list on July 7 with right elbow neuritis.
For now, Burrows remains on the 15-day IL, and his return date is unclear. Espada said he is "day-to-day" with the shoulder issue and "is not going to be shut down," per Kawahara. The Astros’ official injury page says Burrows "still hopes to pitch this year."
There is also the rehab clock to keep in mind. Pitchers have a 30-day limit on a minor-league rehab assignment, so Houston may need to start a new rehab stint if that’s the route it chooses.
With Burrows sidelined again, the Astros have had to lean on other arms. Rookie right-hander Ethan Pecko has taken on a significant role as the fourth starter, while the fifth spot has been in flux. Over the past month, Houston has also used a bullpen opener ahead of Cristian Javier and Tatsuya Imai.
Right-hander Ronel Blanco filled the extra roster spot and started Tuesday after being called up from Triple-A. He delivered four scoreless innings, though he also walked three and carries a 6.59 ERA in six games.
Burrows, acquired from the Pittsburgh Pirates over the offseason, had given Houston something it badly needed: length. He logged 15 outings of at least five innings, and even with the runs he allowed, that ability to work deep into games mattered. A return is still possible, but the Astros have been left waiting again.
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