Jarred

Cosart

Cosart was coming off a 17-day layoff because of blister issues. The 21-year-old right-hander has not allowed a run in 9 1/3 innings this season at Double-A and could climb to the Triple-A level by the end of this summer if the good times continue. He was acquired last July from the Phillies in the five-player Hunter Pence trade.

Part of last year’s Hunter Pence deal, Cosart wasn’t really challenged at the Double-A level, and the Astros believe he’s ready for the next step. Aside from a possible September call up, he isn’t likely to reach the majors this season.

Cosart was acquired in the July 2011 trade that sent Hunter Pence to the Phillies. The 22-year-old right-hander had a 3.30 ERA and 92/51 K/BB ratio in 114 2/3 innings this past season between Double-A and Triple-A.

General manager Jeff Luhnow floated Cosart’s name as a possible candidate at the Winter Meetings following the trade of Wilton Lopez. Cosart has only started in the minors and is viewed as one of the team’s top prospects, but his secondary stuff hasn’t developed as hoped, so the ‘Stros could try his power fastball at the back-end of the pen. Ultimately, he’s probably more likely to wind up back in the Triple-A rotation to start the season, but it’s something to file away.

Fortunately, the Astros have ditched the idea of Cosart as a closer candidate. He’ll be left in the rotation and start the year in Triple-A after a shaky spring that’s seemed him amass an 8.22 ERA so far. He hit two batters and walked another today.

Cosart is coming off a rough spring, but the Astros still have high hopes for him. It’s possible he’ll eventually be moved to the bullpen.

Seattle couldn’t touch Cosart’s stuff, but the right-hander walked six batters. Cosart has posted a spectacular 1.95 ERA and 1.35 WHIP in 60 innings over 10 starts, but he’s produced an awful 33/35 K/BB ratio. Cosart will find out next week that the Reds aren’t as generous as the Mariners in stranding runners.

Cosart allowed one unearned run on two hits over five innings for a no-decision Monday in his final start. He’ll finish the season with a 1.95 ERA and 1.35 WHIP over 60 innings and should open 2014 in the front-end of the Astros’ rotation.

The first time Cosart has allowed more than two runs in a start is also the first loss for Cosart. The right-hander gave up four hits, including an Adrian Beltre two-run homer, and three walks on the night. Even with the loss, Cosart still carries a dazzling 1.60 ERA after seven major league starts. He’ll take on the White Sox in Chicago on Monday.

Cosart struck out four while matching his career-high with five free passes. The only damage against him came on an RBI single from Paul Konerko in the first inning, but he was able to work his way out of trouble the rest of the evening. The 23-year-old will carry a 1.59 ERA, 1.27 WHIP and 25/26 K/BB ratio into Tuesday’s home start against the Twins.