Kai-Wei Teng to remain in Astros rotation for now

Espada added that Javier will be activated from the injured list for Friday’s series opener against the Rays and that the move isn’t permanent. The 29-year-old has been on the shelf with a Grade 2 shoulder strain since early April. It seems like he could move back into Houston’s rotation at some point in the second half. His stuff should play up in shorter bursts out of the bullpen, but he’s not exactly a relevant fantasy option outside of extremely deep leagues.

Teng suffered the knee injury prior to being optioned to Triple-A Sugar Land last weekend, which is why he’s been placed on Houston’s injured list. He’ll most likely wind up back in the minors once he completes his rehabilitation process and rehab assignment. The 27-year-old lost his rotation spot after posting a bloated 7.77 ERA across 22 innings over five starts in June.

Teng was knocked around for five runs (four earned) over 3 2/3 innings in a no-decision against the Tigers on Saturday. With Cristian Javier set to rejoin the rotation next week though, he became expendable. He’ll continue to serve as extra rotation depth for the Astros at the Triple-A level.

Kai-Wei Teng will likely be sent down to make room. It’ll be the 24-year-old Ullola’s first stint in the majors. He opened this year going 1-4 with a 6.21 ERA in 10 starts for Triple-A Sugar Land, but he was shifted to the pen at the end of last month and since has a 2.70 ERA and a 16/6 K/BB in 10 innings. He might only be up until Cristian Javier rejoins the rotation next weekend.

Teng hung a third-inning curveball over the plate to Kerry Carpenter, who promptly deposited the offering into the right-field seats for a go-ahead grand slam. It was one of eight hits that he allowed in the abbreviated outing where he finished with just one strikeout. The 27-year-old’s spot in Houston’s rotation appears to be in serious jeopardy, especially with Cristian Javier (shoulder) on the precipice of making it back to the majors. He’s tentatively scheduled to face the Rays next weekend, but that seems highly likely to change.

Teng struck out four and threw 83 pitches, lowering his ERA to 4.03. He’s been a regular in Houston’s rotation over the past month out of necessity, but this was his best start since May 23. The Astros are getting some starting pitchers back healthy now, so Teng could return to the bullpen. The next turn in his rotation lines up against the Tigers on the road.

If all goes well with that outing, Javier should be cleared to rejoin the Astros’ rotation next weekend. The 29-year-old right-hander is working his way back from a Grade 2 shoulder strain that has had him shelved since April 10.

Javier struck out six and threw threw 63 pitches over 3 1/3 innings in his latest rehab start for Triple-A Sugar Land on Tuesday night. The 29-year-old will rejoin Houston’s rotation in early July. He’s been on the shelf recovering from a Grade 2 shoulder strain since April 10.

Teng gave up six hits, walked two and struck out nine. On one hand, he’s now allowed 17 runs and six home runs in his last four starts. On the other hand, he’s had at least five strikeouts in five of his last six starts. Teng’s strikeout ability was on display against the Tigers Monday as he racked up nine strikeouts. He could be the odd man out of the rotation with Hunter Brown set to return on Tuesday.

Javier was slated for his third rehab start after throwing three scoreless innings on Tuesday. There’s no minor league action on Monday, so Javier will either have to wait until Tuesday to pitch or get his work in on the side instead. The right-hander is in line to return from a shoulder strain at the end of the month or in the first week of July.