Mike Burrows is getting a breather.
The Houston Astros will use the right-hander out of the bullpen during the upcoming three-game series against the Cleveland Guardians at Daikin Park, manager Joe Espada announced Wednesday. The move is temporary—Burrows is expected to return to the rotation the following week.
Of all Houston’s starters, Burrows is the only one who has taken every turn in the rotation this season, and the wear has shown. He is 3-8 with a 5.86 ERA through 14 starts—among the worst marks of any qualified starter in the majors—having surrendered 18 home runs and posted an opponents’ OPS of .880. His three June starts have gone particularly poorly.
With Brown back in the fold Tuesday, the Astros now have six starting pitchers available, creating room to give Burrows a rest. The move also helps Houston manage a stretch of 13 games in 13 days beginning Friday, with the rest of the rotation staying on normal rest.
Espada indicated Burrows could work in tandem with Tatsuya Imai on Friday, pitching behind a starter who has a 6.43 ERA through nine outings and lasted just two-thirds of an inning in Kansas City last week.
“It gives me some length out of the pen, and also kind of gives him a little breather here before we start planning for Toronto and Detroit,” Espada said. “So at least for that Guardians series, he’ll be working out of the pen.”
Burrows said he welcomes the chance to regroup.
“I think we’re looking at it from a health standpoint as well as helping out the team get through that 13-game stretch,” Burrows said. “It also gives me an opportunity to take a little bit of a breather and work on some stuff and then move back in the rotation next week.”
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