Astros Bolster Starting Rotation⁢ Depth

The‍ Houston Astros have agreed to ⁤a major league contract with right-handed pitcher Ryan Weiss, according to a source who spoke with ⁤MLB.com. The⁣ agreement ⁤is contingent upon a successful physical examination, and has not yet been officially confirmed by the club.

Weiss’s Professional Background

Weiss, 28, most recently ‍pitched in South Korea’s KBO League for the Hanwha Eagles over ⁣the ⁣past two seasons.He compiled a 3.16 ERA and a 1.07 WHIP,striking out 305 batters in 270.1 innings pitched. Prior to‍ his‍ time ⁤in Korea, the 6-foot-4 pitcher was originally ⁤drafted by the Arizona Diamondbacks in 2018.

Throughout his minor league career, spanning 132 games⁢ (47 starts) with ⁢the Arizona Diamondbacks and Kansas City Royals, Weiss has a career⁤ ERA of 4.88 ⁣and ⁢a WHIP of 1.42, with 294 strikeouts ⁣across 313.1 innings. He‍ also ⁣pitched in China in 2023.

Rotation Outlook and spring Training Competition

The Astros currently plan to have Hunter⁣ Brown and Cristian Javier ‍leading ⁣their starting rotation, with hopes for a healthy Spencer arrighetti. Weiss will provide additional depth alongside Lance McCullers Jr., Colton gordon, and Jason Alexander.

Prospect AJ Blubaugh, ranked as the Astros’ ‍No. 16 prospect by MLB Pipeline,⁣ and JP France will‍ also ⁤compete for a spot during Spring ⁢Training. The Astros are still evaluating options to fill out⁢ the⁣ remainder of their starting pitching staff.

Additional Pitching Signings

In October,Houston⁣ signed ⁤right-hander ⁢Nate⁢ Pearson,a former first-round pick of the Toronto Blue Jays,to a⁢ one-year contract. Pearson, 29, is expected to contribute as a reliever. He split the 2023 season ⁣between Triple-A ⁣Iowa and the Chicago Cubs before being released on September 21.