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HOUSTON – The Houston Astros have added right-handed pitcher Kai-Wei Teng via trade with the San Francisco Giants, addressing a need for pitching depth as they prepare for the 2026 season. The Astros sent Minor League catcher Jancel Villarroel to San Francisco in the deal, which was finalized on Thursday, January 29th, 2026.

The acquisition of Teng, 27, comes as the Astros navigate an offseason that has already seen significant roster adjustments. To create a roster spot for Teng, right-hander J.P. France was designated for assignment. Astros General Manager Dana Brown emphasized the team’s belief in their ability to develop pitching talent as a key factor in pursuing Teng, despite a relatively small sample size of Major League experience.

Teng has appeared in 12 Major League games, making seven starts, over the past two seasons with the Giants. He has a career ERA of 7.30, striking out 46 batters and walking 25 in 40 2/3 innings pitched. While his numbers haven’t been dominant, the Astros see potential in his arsenal, particularly his “sweeper” pitch, which opposing hitters managed just a .191 batting average against with a 34.6% whiff rate in 2025.

“He’ll compete for a spot on the Opening Day roster and has the ability to start or pitch in relief,” according to reports. Teng features a five-pitch mix and a low-slot release, adding to his potential versatility.

The trade reflects the Giants’ need to clear a spot on their 40-man roster following an agreement with outfielder Harrison Bader. San Francisco acquired Villarroel, previously ranked as the Astros’ No. 13 prospect, who now slots in as the Giants’ No. 27 prospect according to MLB Pipeline rankings. Villarroel, 21, batted .259 with a .739 OPS, eight home runs, and 20 stolen bases across 100 games for Single-A Fayetteville and High-A Asheville last year. He has experience at multiple positions, including catcher, first base, second base, third base, and the outfield.

In a separate move announced on Thursday, the Astros agreed to a Minor League contract with left-hander Tom Cosgrove, including an invitation to Spring Training. Cosgrove, 31, has appeared in 72 games with the San Diego Padres from 2023–2024, posting a 3.95 ERA. He also pitched in two games for the Chicago Cubs last year.

Cosgrove’s 2023 season was particularly impressive, leading all qualified rookie relievers with a 1.75 ERA and a .173 opponents’ batting average over 54 games. He excelled in advanced metrics, finishing in the 100th percentile in hard-hit rate (25.5%) and average exit velocity (83.9 mph), and the 95th percentile in barrel percentage (3.6%). Cosgrove’s contract includes a $900,000 salary if he makes the Major League roster.

The Astros’ moves signal a proactive approach to bolstering their pitching staff, particularly with Framber Valdez entering free agency. While Valdez remains a possibility for a return, the team is exploring other options to ensure pitching depth. Brown and the Astros front office appear to be targeting players with potential, hoping to unlock their abilities through the team’s renowned pitching development program.

The addition of Teng, despite his past struggles, aligns with this strategy. The Giants noted that Teng flashed “intriguing stuff” and increased his strikeout rate to 28.1% at the end of 2025, more than doubling his 2024 rate. However, the arrival of Adrian Houser and Tyler Mahle as free agent additions made Teng expendable for the Giants.

These recent transactions demonstrate the Astros’ commitment to building a competitive roster ahead of the 2026 season. The team is clearly focused on identifying and developing pitching talent, and the acquisitions of Teng and Cosgrove represent calculated risks with potentially high rewards. The upcoming Spring Training will be crucial in evaluating these new additions and determining their roles on the team.