Astros' biggest offseason regret is clear amid Hunter Brown and Cristian Javier's injuries
Astros' biggest offseason regret is clear amid Hunter Brown and Cristian Javier's injuries originally appeared on The Sporting News . Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here .
The Houston Astros during the 2025 MLB season dealt with so many injuries to players all across the roster. The offense was decimated at various points, while the rotation and bullpen weren't spared either.
And this season, just two weeks into the year, the Astros are dealing with some major issues already with the rotation. Hunter Brown and Cristian Javier are both hurt.
As Bleacher Report's Tim Kelly points out, following those injuries, and some uncertain play from the rotation, the Astros "biggest regret" from this past offseason is very clearly their lack of more starting pitching additions.
Astros should've added more SP help this offseason
"Houston Astros: Not adding another veteran starter," Kelly writes. "General manager Dana Brown should have been more aggressive in trying to find someone else that could be counted on to make 30-plus starts, at the very least."
Houston's pitching staff is looking like a big issue this season already. If Dana Brown added another starter, like a Lucas Giolito (who they could still sign) or some other starter, they could be in a much better spot than they are now.
The 6-7 Astros are in a bit of a precarious spot, and it's thanks to their starting rotation question marks. Brown is down for a few weeks at least, and Javier might be joining him.
That doesn't even include Cody Botlon, Hayden Wesneski , Ronel Blanco , and Brandon Walter , who are on the injured list already.
With Tatsuya Imai having a 4.32 ERA through two starts, he will need to be a lot better with the rotation injuries already mounting for Houston this season.
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Michael Burrows needs to get better as well, as his 5.63 ERA isn't nearly good enough with the rotation issues. Lance McCullers has been a nice bonus for the Astros, as his 3.27 ERA has been a big help amid some rotation woes this season.
If the Astros had one more starting pitcher, someone who could help lead a rotation even if they cost a bit to sign or trade for, they could be in a much better spot than they are now.
Not adding another starting pitcher is a decision that the Astros likely regret at this point with the Brown and Javier injuries.
It's impossible to predict that such injuries will happen, but there should have been more help regardless, as the rotation, even if fully healthy, could've benefited from another quality starter.
