The Astros entered September hoping Mike Burrows could provide some much-needed stability to a rotation that has struggled to deliver innings. Instead, another injury has put his return on hold.
Burrows felt discomfort in his right shoulder while playing catch Monday. Imaging subsequently revealed inflammation, and manager Joe Espada described the right-hander as day-to-day.
The timing is particularly frustrating for Houston. Burrows was slated to be activated from the injured list and start Tuesday against the Chicago White Sox. Instead, the Astros recalled Ronel Blanco from Triple-A Sugar Land to make the start.
Burrows Had Been Pitching Well in Sugar Land
Burrows has been on the 15-day injured list since July 13, retroactive to July 7, with right elbow neuritis. He posted a 5.99 ERA across 18 appearances, including 17 starts, for Houston before landing on the IL.
His rehab assignment had provided considerably more encouraging results. In three starts for Sugar Land, Burrows posted a 2.03 ERA over 13⅓ innings, including two scoreless outings. His third rehab start lasted 4⅓ innings and 77 pitches, putting him in position to return to Houston’s rotation this week.
That return will now have to wait.
Another Complication for the Astros Rotation
The setback comes at an especially inconvenient time for an Astros pitching staff that could use more length from its starters.
Houston’s rotation threw the third-fewest innings in the majors during August, contributing to a heavy workload for the bullpen. Five Astros relievers—Josh Hader, Bryan Abreu, Steven Okert, AJ Blubaugh, and Enyel De Los Santos—threw at least 14 innings during the month.
Blanco kept the White Sox scoreless Tuesday but needed 88 pitches to complete four innings. The Astros ultimately used Kai-Wei Teng and Tatsuya Imai to cover the remaining five innings in a 5-1 loss.
Burrows would not necessarily solve Houston’s rotation problems—his major-league results this season make that clear—but he completed at least five innings in 15 of his 17 starts before going on the injured list. For a team trying to protect an overworked bullpen while holding a one-game lead in the AL West, that alone could have value.
For now, Houston will have to wait and see how quickly the inflammation subsides. Burrows remains on his minor-league rehab assignment, and the Astros have not announced a new timetable for his return.
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