The Houston Astros starting rotation has been decimated by injuries in recent weeks. As a result, the team dives deep into the organizational depths for help.
Righthander Jake Bloss is called up from Double-A Corpus Christi to pitch against the Baltimore Orioles on Friday. Bloss, who turns 23 on Sunday, was Houston’s third-round selection in last year’s MLB Draft out of Georgetown and has made 12 starts this season between high Single-A and Double-A.
In eight starts with Corpus Christi, Bloss had a 1.61 ERA and a 3-1 record with 35 strikeouts in 44 2/3 innings. He also started four games with Asheville to start the season, posting a 2.60 ERA with 25 strikeouts in 17 1/3 innings.
“His stuff is really good. A striker pitcher, over 90, can spin the ball,” Astros manager Joe Espada said, confirming Bloss’ promotion to Casey Drottar of MLB.com. “All the things we’re hearing about his makeup, he’s checking all the boxes… We expect him to go out tomorrow and compete and do well.”
Facing the Orioles in his MLB debut could certainly be a “Welcome to the big leagues” moment for Bloss and his five-pitch arsenal. (He throws a cutter, curveball, slider, changeup and fastball that hits 98 mph, according to The Athletic.) Baltimore leads the American League with a .765 team OPS and tops the majors with 117 home runs.
The Astros need new weapons to add to their rotation due to season-ending elbow injuries to Jose Urquidy and Cristian Javier, both of whom underwent reconstructive Tommy John surgery earlier this month. Houston also placed Justin Verlander on the injured list this week due to neck problems. Lance McCullers Jr. and Luis Garcia are also on the IL and hope to rejoin the team after the All-Star break.
Ronel Blanco (2.43 ERA) and Framber Valdez (3.91 ERA) top a now-thin starting staff that includes Hunter Brown and Spencer Arrighetti. (Blanco threw a no-hitter in April and threw seven no-hit innings last week.) Bloss fills the fifth spot in the rotation on Friday and thinks he can stick around if he pitches well.
