Houston Astros pitcher Spencer Arrighetti suffered a setback before Monday night’s game against the Seattle Mariners. The 25-year-old right-hander broke his right thumb after being struck by a line drive while playing catch in left field.
The incident occurred during pregame warm-ups. Astros manager Joe Espada told reporters that Arrighetti was being evaluated at the time. The team officially announced the injury about an hour before the series opener in Seattle.
A Tough Blow for the Spencer Arrighetti
Spencer Arrighetti had made two starts this season before the injury. He currently holds a 1-1 record with a 5.59 ERA. In his most recent outing on Saturday, he gave up five runs on three hits in 3 2/3 innings during a 6-1 loss to the Minnesota Twins.
The injury comes at a crucial time as the Astros are trying to build momentum early in the season. Losing a starting pitcher—even a young one still finding his form—is a challenge the team will have to work around.
Background on Spencer Arrighetti Career
Drafted by the Astros in the sixth round of the 2021 MLB Amateur Draft, Spencer Arrighetti showed promise in his rookie season. In 2023, he appeared in 29 games (28 starts and 1 relief outing), finishing with a 7-13 record and a 4.53 ERA. While the numbers weren’t dazzling, they hinted at potential growth with more experience.
No Timeline Yet for Return
As of now, the team hasn’t provided a timetable for Arrighetti’s return. A broken thumb typically requires several weeks of recovery, depending on the severity and treatment approach.
The Astros will likely explore rotation adjustments or call-ups from the minors as they cope with the temporary loss of one of their young arms.
Stay tuned for updates on his condition as the team continues to evaluate the injury and make roster decisions moving forward.