The Houston Astros optioned right-hander Kai-Wei Teng to Triple-A Sugar Land following Saturday’s win over the Tigers, calling up pitching prospect Miguel Ullola in a corresponding move.
Teng acknowledged after Saturday’s game that he has been dealing with “some fatigue” this season. The workload context makes that understandable — he has thrown 64 innings between the bullpen and rotation this year, a total that is already pushing the boundaries of what he has handled in any recent season.
“Compared to the start of the season, I would say there’s definitely some fatigue and tiredness,” Teng said through an interpreter. “The past two seasons, I only pitched like 70 or 80 innings a year at the most, and this year it’s only like halfway up the season and I’m already reaching the count of innings.”
Manager Joe Espada described the move as a “de-load,” with the intent of getting Teng on a lighter schedule at Sugar Land before bringing him back. His velocity was noticeably down Saturday, and after a strong start to the season his ERA has climbed sharply over his last five outings.
Espada said the Astros will determine in the coming days whether Teng will work as a starter or reliever at Triple-A.
“His stuff has been down a bit, especially he showed that yesterday, so I think this will benefit him,” Espada said.
Ullola, 24, is set to make his major-league debut. The right-hander moved from a starting to a relief role at Sugar Land last month and was effective in his first stretch of relief outings there. Espada said Ullola will be an option to work multiple innings out of the bullpen.
“We’re excited about his progress,” Espada said. “He’s throwing a ton more strikes, his stuff we know has always been really good. Excited to see the young man up here.”
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