August is almost in its final week, meaning that the 2025 MLB season is just around the corner. The Houston Astros are on track for a ninth consecutive playoff appearance with 70 wins through their first 128 outings, leaving them two games ahead of the Seattle Mariners in the American League West race, as well as 5.5 games behind the Detroit Tigers for the AL lead.
Any player hoping to play this postseason must be on an MLB roster as of 11:59 p.m. ET on Sunday, Aug. 31. In other words, Astros players have less than two weeks to prove themselves to manager Joe Espada's staff or risk being left on the outside looking in once the playoffs arrive.
Houston fans are hoping to see a handful of underperforming veterans step up before the playoff roster deadline, including a starting pitcher who's recently been the source of many headaches.
Astros RHP Spencer Arrighetti Must Step Up Before Playoff Roster Deadline
The 2025 campaign has been a rough ride for veteran Astros right-handed pitcher Spencer Arrighetti. The Astros were hoping to see the former 2021 sixth-round pick become a reliable contributor in the rotation after going 7-13 with a 4.53 ERA in 29 games (28 starts) last season, but that hasn't been close to being the case so far.
For starters, Spencer Arrighetti has only suited up five times for Houston this season. The Albuquerque, NM native made only two appearances before going down with a fractured thumb in April, and would miss over three months of MLB action as he rehabbed through his ailment before returning to the mix earlier this year.
Unfortunately, the 25-year-old righty has yet to give fans or the team a legitimate reason to believe in him. Since returning from his rehab, Arrighetti is an uninspiring 0-3 with a 7.90 ERA in 13 2/3 innings across three starts. He's issued only 13 strikeouts compared to 10 walks, and has also allowed five earned runs twice. No matter how it's sliced, those are numbers any manager wants to see from a starter this close to the playoffs.
Even worse is how the Astros' bats clearly play less confidently when Arrighetti is on the mound. Even if it's a small sample size, Houston is only averaging 1.6 runs per game when the 6-foot-2 righty is on the mound, which includes being held to one run or being completely shut out three times.
If his struggles persist, the Astros will have a tough time justifying Arrighetti's spot in the rotation. Failing to do so could result in Houston demoting him and searching for a replacement option, potentially if they feel someone from the minors is ready for a call-up.