The Houston Astros’ starting rotation has been decimated by injuries in recent weeks. As a result, the team is dipping deep into its organizational depth for some help.
Right-hander Jake Bloss is being called up from Double-A Corpus Christi to pitch Friday against the Baltimore Orioles. Bloss, who turns 23 on Sunday, was Houston’s third-round selection in last year’s MLB Draft out of Georgetown. He has made 12 starts between high-A and Double-A this season.
In eight starts with Corpus Christi, Bloss had a 1.61 ERA and 31 record with 35 strikeouts in 44 2/3 innings. He started four games with Asheville to begin the season, compiling a 2.60 ERA with 25 strikeouts in 17 1/3 innings.
“His stuff is really, really good. A strike-thrower, upper-90s, can spin the ball,” Astros manager Joe Espada said, confirming Bloss’ promotion with MLB.com’s Casey Drottar. “All the things we hear about his makeup, he checks all the boxes. … We expect him to go out there tomorrow and compete and do well.”
Jake Bloss (@astros No. 10 prospect) dominated over 6 1/3 frames of a Double-A @cchooks no-hitter.But he also got a little help from his highly regarded teammates defensively: https://t.co/stXp7q3Feh pic.twitter.com/XnHoqgK7YD
MLB Pipeline (@MLBPipeline) June 16, 2024
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 fresh arms for their rotation after 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 discomfort. 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 pitched seven no-hit innings last week.) Bloss fills the fifth spot in the rotation on Friday and figures to stick around if he pitches well.