How devastating blow to starting rotation impacts Astros moving forward
NOT AGAIN!
19 May
Hayden Wesneski is out for the season. Composite Getty Image.
Houston Astros right-hander Hayden Wesneski is set to undergo Tommy John elbow reconstruction surgery, likely sidelining him until late in the 2026 season.
Wesneski went on the 15-day injured list with right elbow discomfort on May 9, three days after allowing four runs over four innings in a 4-3 loss at Milwaukee. The 27-year-old was 1-3 with a 4.50 ERA.
Wesneski joined the Astros along with Isaac Paredes and Cam Smith in the offseason trade that sent Kyle Tucker to the Chicago Cubs. He has 28 starts among 74 appearances over four big league seasons.
The Astros, who announced the diagnosis after Sunday's 4-3 win over the Texas Rangers, skipped Wesneski for a turn in their rotation before the start against the Brewers.
“In Milwaukee, I felt better,” Wesneski said. “Next day, I felt great. I was super pumped about it. Got on the airplane, landed at home in Houston and it just started swelling up. Off day only got worse.”
Wesneski said he will stay in the Dallas area for surgery, hoping to have it this week. Texas Rangers physician Dr. Keith Meister will perform the procedure.
With the Cubs last season, Wesneski spent time on the injured list with a right forearm strain. He had seven starts among 28 appearances in 2024 after getting 11 starts and 23 relief outings two years ago. All six of Wesneski's appearances this season were starts.
Looking ahead
With Wesneski officially out for the season, Lance McCullers returning to form takes on even more importance for Houston. Hopefully, McCullers, Colton Gordon, and Ryan Gusto can hold down the fort until Spencer Arreghetti returns from his fractured thumb.
Astros look to stay in control as division pace quickens
Jun 18, 2025, 4:13 pm
Coming off a dominant offensive performance, the Houston Astros return to the field Wednesday night looking to keep their momentum rolling against the Athletics. Cam Smith’s four-hit breakout powered a 13-3 rout on Tuesday, and now the Astros aim to take control of the series in Game 3 of the four-game set.
Houston, sitting atop the AL West at 42-31, will send left-hander Framber Valdez to the mound. Valdez has been in strong form all season, posting a 7-4 record with a 3.10 ERA and 96 strikeouts in 2025. He’ll be looking to build on Houston’s recent pitching success. The Astros have held opponents to a 2.60 ERA over their last 10 games while going 7-3 in that span and outscoring opponents by 24 runs.
The A’s will counter with veteran right-hander Luis Severino, who enters with a 2-6 record and a 4.47 ERA. While his season has been inconsistent, Severino still has the ability to miss bats and will look to keep an Astros lineup in check that’s hitting .271 over its last 10 contests.
The Athletics come in at 30-45 overall and 13-24 at home, and though they've dropped three of four to the Astros this season, the power potential is always there. The A’s have launched 92 home runs so far — seventh-most in the majors — with Tyler Soderstrom and Max Muncy continuing to anchor the offense. Soderstrom has already racked up 14 homers and 45 RBIs on the year, while Muncy has gone deep three times over his last 10 games.
Houston’s offense has been steadily rising, fueled by key performances from both veterans and emerging talent. Jeremy Peña continues to provide steady production with 15 doubles and nine homers on the year, while rookie Cam Smith has caught fire, going 14-for-40 with four doubles and two homers in his last 10 games.
The Astros are 33-13 this season when they out-hit their opponent, and they’ll look to follow that blueprint again Wednesday. First pitch is set for 10:05 p.m. EDT in West Sacramento, with Houston holding a 3-1 edge in the season series.
BETMGM SPORTSBOOK LINE: Astros -162, Athletics +136; over/under is 9 runs
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