HOUSTON, TX – December 20, 2025 – The Houston Astros completed a three-team trade with the Pittsburgh Pirates and Tampa Bay Rays on Friday, acquiring right-handed starting pitcher Mike Burrows from Pittsburgh.
In the multi-player deal, the Astros sent outfielder Jacob Melton and right-handed pitching prospect Anderson Brito to Tampa Bay. The Pirates received second baseman Brandon Lowe, outfielder Jake Mangum, and left-handed reliever Mason Montgomery from the Rays, while sending Burrows to Houston.
Burrows, 26, posted a 3.94 ERA with 97 strikeouts over 96 innings in his rookie season with Pittsburgh in 2025, going 2-4 in 23 appearances including 19 starts. The right-hander showed significant improvement down the stretch, posting a 2.31 ERA with 24 strikeouts over his final seven starts while walking just four batters.
The acquisition addresses a critical need for Houston’s rotation after injuries decimated the staff in 2025. Luis Garcia, Ronel Blanco, Hayden Wesneski, and Brandon Walter all required Tommy John surgery during the season, while the Astros also lost Framber Valdez to free agency. Burrows brings six years of team control.
The Astros parted with two of their top prospects in the deal. Melton, 25, struggled in his 32-game major league debut in 2025, batting .157 with seven stolen bases. Brito, a 20-year-old Venezuelan right-hander, was ranked as the No. 3 prospect in Houston’s system by Baseball America. He posted a 2.36 ERA with 103 innings pitched between 2024 and 2025 in the minor leagues, striking out 35% of batters faced.
The trade continues Houston’s offseason strategy of adding rotation depth through controlled acquisitions rather than pursuing top-tier free agents, having previously signed Nate Pearson and Ryan Weiss.