Astros Pitcher Injury
Astros' Spencer Arrighetti Exits Game with Right Foot Nerve Irritation, Raising Rotation Concerns
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Key Points
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In the first inning, Arrighetti struggled with command, walking two and hitting two, while allowing three runs on two hits as nine batters came to the plate before he left the game with a trainer.
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His recent control has been an issue, with 10 walks issued over his last two starts and a 24.6% walk rate since June 3.
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Before this stretch, Arrighetti had been productive in May (0.93 ERA) and delivered five innings of one-run ball in his first start after the All-Star break, suggesting a potential rebound prior to the latest exit.
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Arrighetti was recalled from Triple-A in mid-April and posted a 1.34 ERA over his first eight major-league starts this season, contributing to early rotation optimism before the recent downturn.
Houston Astros starter Spencer Arrighetti left his start against the Chicago White Sox after just one inning due to right foot nerve irritation. A trainer came to the mound as Arrighetti warmed up for the second frame and pulled him from the game, according to News-Gazette.
The exit came after a rough first inning. Arrighetti walked two batters, hit two more, and allowed three runs on two hits. He threw 33 pitches before leaving. The Astros did not immediately share a timeline for his return.
A Shaky Inning Before the Trainer Arrived
Arrighetti faced nine batters in the first inning alone. He walked two and hit two more, giving Chicago three runs before recording the final out. His command was simply not there. The injury was spotted as he began throwing warmup pitches ahead of the second inning, and the trainer made the call to end his night, according to Mankato Free Press.
AJ Blubaugh came on to finish the game for Houston after Arrighetti's exit. The Astros said they expected to give an update on his status soon, but no firm diagnosis or return date was provided right away, according to Lancaster Online.
Control Problems Had Been Building for Weeks
The foot injury did not arrive in a vacuum. Arrighetti had been struggling badly with his command before this start. He issued 10 walks over his two starts before this game. Since June 3, his walk rate sat at 24.6%. That means roughly one in four batters he faced drew a free pass.
His June and July numbers told a hard story: a 0-4 record and an 8.74 ERA over seven starts. That is a sharp fall for a pitcher who was one of the best in the American League just two months earlier, according to Yakima Herald.
May Brilliance Made the Decline More Striking
Arrighetti had looked like a true ace in May. He posted a 0.93 ERA over five starts that month and won AL Pitcher of the Month honors. He also threw five innings of one-run ball in his first start after the All-Star break. That stretch gave Houston real hope for the second half, according to HNG News.
His rise this season started fast. Arrighetti was recalled from Triple-A in mid-April and posted a 1.34 ERA over his first eight major-league starts. That early run made the rotation look solid. The recent slide — and now this injury — puts that optimism in doubt.
Rotation Uncertainty Grows for Houston
The Astros now face real questions about their starting pitching. Losing Arrighetti even briefly adds pressure to a staff already working through inconsistency. Houston has not said whether he will go on the injured list or miss just one turn, according to News-Gazette.
Nerve irritation in the foot can range from a minor issue to something that lingers for weeks. The word 'irritation' suggests the team is being cautious with the language until tests are done. For a young starter with Arrighetti's upside, the Astros will want to get this right before rushing him back.
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