Astros' Hayden Wesneski: Hits four frames in rehab start
Rotowire
Wesneski (elbow) struck out three and allowed one earned run on two hits and one walk across four innings Sunday in a rehab start with Double-A Corpus Christi. He also hit a batter and threw two wild pitches.
After tossing three shutout innings in his first rehab start in the rookie-level Florida Complex League on June 30, Wesneski jumped up a few rungs on the minor-league ladder for his second outing. Wesneski -- who is on the comeback trail after undergoing Tommy John surgery last May -- built up to 46 pitches (29 strikes) in Sunday's appearance, generating seven whiffs along the way. The right-hander will likely need to make two or three more rehab starts before coming off the 60-day injured list, but he may not have a rotation spot with the big club waiting for him once he's activated.
... See More... See Less
Astros' Hayden Wesneski: Begins rehab assignment
Rotowire
Wesneski (elbow) began a rehab assignment with the Astros' rookie-level Florida Complex League affiliate Tuesday, allowing one hit and no walks over three scoreless innings while striking out one batter.
Wesneski retired nine of the 10 batters he faced in the 25-pitch appearance. It's a big step as the right-hander continues to work his way back from May 2025 Tommy John surgery. Wesneski will likely need to use most, if not all, of his 30 rehab days, setting him up to rejoin the Astros' active roster around Aug. 1.
... See More... See Less
Astros' Hayden Wesneski: Tossing live batting practice
Rotowire
Wesneski (elbow) has progressed to throwing live batting practice this week, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports.
Both Wesneski and Ronel Blanco (elbow) are throwing live BP at the Astros' spring training complex in West Palm Beach. Wesneski underwent Tommy John surgery in May of last year and could be an option for activation at some point later this summer.
... See More... See Less
Astros' Hayden Wesneski: Placed on 15-day injured list
Rotowire
The Astros placed Wesneski (elbow) on the 15-day injured list Wednesday.
Wesneski still has lots of rehabbing to do following last May's Tommy John surgery. He could eventually shift to the 60-day IL when/if Houston needs the 40-man roster spot.
... See More... See Less
Astros' Hayden Wesneski: Avoids arbitration
Rotowire
Wesneski (elbow) agreed to a one-year, $975,000 deal with the Astros on Thursday, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.
The two sides avoid arbitration, as Wesneski continues working his way back from Tommy John surgery in May 2025. He'll likely be sidelined until around midseason, but could provide rotation depth and bullpen help in the second half. The 28-year-old righty logged a 4.50 ERA, 1.09 WHIP and 29:6 K:BB in six starts (32 innings) for the Astros in 2025 before the injury.
... See More... See Less
Astros' Hayden Wesneski: Shifts off injured list
Rotowire
Wesneski (elbow) was activated from the injured list Thursday, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.
This move was procedural as the Astros get their 40-man roster in order for the offseason. Wesneski will be sidelined until at least the middle of the 2026 season while recovering from Tommy John surgery.
... See More... See Less
Astros' Hayden Wesneski: Requires Tommy John surgery
Rotowire
Manager Joe Espada announced after Sunday's win over the Rangers that Wesneski (elbow) will undergo Tommy John surgery this week, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports.
The right-hander was dealing with some swelling after landing on the injured list May 9 due to elbow discomfort, and he's now headed for Tommy John surgery after being diagnosed with UCL damage. Wesneski will miss the rest of the year and will also be sidelined for at least the first half of the 2026 campaign since the procedure carries a typical recovery timeline of 14-to-18 months.
... See More... See Less
Astros' Hayden Wesneski: Swelling still an issue
Rotowire
Wesneski underwent an MRI on Saturday that showed inflammation in his elbow, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports.
Wesneski was placed on the injured list Friday due to the inflammation, but the team is waiting for the swelling to subside to make an official diagnosis. Manager Joe Espada said he expects it will be a few more days before that occurs, so the right-hander remains without a clear return timeline.
... See More... See Less
Astros' Hayden Wesneski: Getting extra rest
Rotowire
Manager Joe Espada said Tuesday that Wesneski is healthy but won't make his scheduled turn through the rotation Wednesday against the Tigers in order to get him some extra rest, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.
The right-hander labored in his last start Friday versus the Royals, as he issued three walks after handing out just one in his first four starts of the year. Wesneski has worked as a swingman in the majors prior to this year with 22 starts in 68 appearances, so it's not a huge surprise he'll require some extra rest here and there. The Astros haven't announced who will start instead Wednesday, but A.J. Blubaugh is a likely candidate and is on the taxi squad, per Rome. Wesneski now appears poised to take the mound Friday on the road versus the White Sox.
... See More... See Less
Astros' Hayden Wesneski: Saddled with second loss
Rotowire
Wesneski (1-2) took the loss Friday against the Royals, surrendering two earned runs on eight hits while striking out one batter over five-plus innings. He did not issue a walk.
Wesneski had 25 punchouts across 23 innings entering Friday's contest, but his third-inning strikeout of Jonathan India was the only one he was able to muster in five frames against Kansas City. Despite allowing consistent traffic on the bases, Wesneski didn't surrender a run until Kyle Isbel brought Drew Waters home on a sacrifice fly in the fifth inning. The right-hander then came back out for the sixth but was pulled after allowing hits to the first two batters he faced, one of which eventually came around to score. Houston's offense, on the other hand, wasn't able to get anything going against Seth Lugo, so Wesneski will take a 1-2 record as well as a 3.86 ERA into his next start at home against Detroit.
... See More... See Less
Astros' Hayden Wesneski: Strikes out 10 in win
Rotowire
Wesneski (1-1) allowed three runs on five hits over six innings Sunday, striking out 10 and earning a win over the Angels.
Wesneski picked up his first win as an Astro in a fairly unconventional way. He coughed up three solo home runs and generated only 11 swinging strikes despite the 10 punchouts. It was also his second straight quality start after taking a loss in his season debut. Wesneski is sporting a 4.00 ERA with a 21:3 K:BB through 18 innings. He's currently scheduled to face the Padres at home next weekend.
Wesneski didn't factor into the decision Monday against Seattle after allowing two runs on three hits and no walks in seven innings, striking out five.
Wesneski was excellent Monday, tossing four scoreless innings to open the game before Ryan Bliss tagged him for a two-run homer in the fifth inning. The right-hander then threw two more clean frames thereafter to cap off a strong outing. Although Wesneski has a 3.75 ERA through two starts this year, he holds a superb 0.67 WHIP and 11:3 K:BB over 12.0 innings and should carry plenty of streaming appeal at home against the Angels in his next projected start this weekend.
... See More... See Less
Astros' Hayden Wesneski: Making final tune-up start
Rotowire
Wesneski (foot) is starting Tuesday's exhibition game against Triple-A Sugar Land.
Wesneski needed X-rays after being struck on the left foot by a comebacker in an appearance in a minor-league game last week, but those tests were negative and he is fine. The right-hander will open the season as the Astros' fifth starter.
... See More... See Less
Astros' Hayden Wesneski: Getting X-rays on foot
Rotowire
Wesneski will undergo X-rays after being struck on the left foot by a comebacker in a minor-league game Thursday, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.
The X-rays seem to be precautionary, as Wesneski was spotted participating in drills Friday. Assuming testing doesn't uncover a more serious issue, the right-hander is slated to open the season as the Astros' fifth starter, an assignment that became more important when Luis Garcia was shut down Thursday after experiencing further soreness in his elbow.
... See More... See Less
Astros' Hayden Wesneski: Making push for rotation
Rotowire
Wesneski has allowed one earned run across 6.1 innings while maintaining an 11:3 K:BB in the Grapefruit League this spring.
Wesneski is a top candidate to begin the season in the Astros' rotation with both Luis Garcia (elbow) and Lance McCullers (forearm) set to begin the season on the injured list. According to Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle, Wesneski has prepped for the role by adding a curveball to his arsenal. The results this spring have been strong, highlighted by his outing Saturday when he struck out five and walked one across 2.1 frames.
... See More... See Less
Astros' Hayden Wesneski: Goes to Houston in Tucker trade
Rotowire
The Astros acquired Wesneski, Isaac Paredes and Cam Smith from the Cubs on Friday in exchange for Kyle Tucker, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.
Wesneski put up a 3.86 ERA, 1.14 WHIP and 67:21 K:BB over 67.2 innings with the Cubs this past season, splitting time between the rotation and bullpen. The Houston native will be stretched out during spring training, but the right-hander's ultimate role next season could depend on what other moves Houston makes this winter, and how far Lance McCullers (forearm) and Luis Garcia (elbow) have progressed in their recoveries.
... See More... See Less
Cubs' Hayden Wesneski: Activated from injured list
Rotowire
The Cubs activated Wesneski (foreram) from the 15-day injured list Friday, Meghan Montemurro of the Chicago Tribune reports.
Wesneski has been sidelined since late July with a right forearm strain but has been cleared to return after making four rehab appearances with Triple-A Iowa. He's pegged for a multi-inning relief role with the Cubs down the stretch.
... See More... See Less
Cubs' Hayden Wesneski: Nearing activation
Rotowire
Wesneski (forearm) began a rehab assignment with Triple-A Iowa on Sept. 6 and has given up three earned runs on seven hits and two walks while striking out seven across five innings over his four appearances.
After throwing two scoreless innings for Iowa on Tuesday, Wesneski could be on the cusp of activation from the 15-day injured list. According to Ryan Herrera of AllCHGO.com, Wesneski was spotted in the Cubs' clubhouse Wednesday, which suggests his rehab assignment has come to an end. Once he's formally reinstated, Wesneski will likely serve as a multi-inning option out of the bullpen.
... See More... See Less
Cubs' Hayden Wesneski: Lands on injured list
Rotowire
The Cubs placed Wesneski on the 15-day injured list Saturday with a right forearm strain, Andy Martinez of Marquee Sports Network reports.
Wesneski pitched 1.1 shutout innings out of the bullpen during Friday's loss to Arizona, though he appears to have come away from his latest appearance with an injury. He'll be held out of action until at least Aug. 4, and the Cubs will recall Hunter Bigge from Triple-A Iowa to fill the opening in their bullpen.
... See More... See Less
Cubs' Hayden Wesneski: Crushed by Cards
Rotowire
Wesneski (3-6) took the loss in the first game of Saturday's doubleheader against the Cardinals, surrendering 11 runs (four earned) on 10 hits and a walk over four innings. He struck out four.
The right-hander's own errors during a nightmarish nine-run first inning prevented more damage to his ERA, but it was still a poor outing for Wesneski at the worst possible time, as it put extra pressure on the Cubs' bullpen ahead of the nightcap. In four starts since rejoining the rotation in late June, he's posted a 5.59 ERA, 1.24 WHIP and 20:6 K:BB in 19.1 innings while serving up five homers, including a three-run blast by Alec Burleson on Saturday.
