Mike

Burrows

Brown highlighted the newly-acquired pitching prospect as an “upside play” that they feel can be part of their rotation. The 26-year-old should have a relatively clear path to a rotation spot with a strong showing in spring training after compiling a serviceable 3.94 ERA — 4.00 FIP — 1.24 WHIP and 97/31 K/BB ratio across 96 innings over 23 appearances (19 starts) for the Pirates this past season. The addition of a two-seamer should theoretically help him neutralize left-handed batters after leaning mostly on his fastball and changeup combo against southpaws while shelving his slider almost entirely. At the bare minimum, Burrows is an interesting late-round lottery ticket for fantasy managers in deeper leagues on the chance that he makes a leap in the strikeout department working with Houston’s pitching development engine.

Burrows heads to the Astros with Houston giving up Anderson Brito and Jacob Melton heading to Tampa Bay. The right-hander was solid in 96 innings over 23 appearances — 19 of those starts — with a 3.94 ERA and 97/31 K/BB ratio along with a 1.24 WHIP. He should be a backend starter for Houston to open 2026.

The framework of the finalized deal is the same that was reported earlier on Friday. Mike Burrows will be heading from the Pirates to the Astros, Brandon Lowe, Jake Mangum and Mason Montgomery will go from the Rays to the Pirates while Jacob Melton and Anderson Brito will go from the Astros to the Rays. The Astros have been inquiring on Burrows for a while now and was an obvious target of theirs to upgrade their starting rotation. The 26-year-old right-hander posted a 3.94 ERA, 1.24 WHIP and a 97/31 K/BB ratio over 96 innings in 23 appearances (19 starts) for the Pirates in 2025.

Alex Stumpf of MLB.com and Francys Romero of BeisbolFR.com report that the deal is done, pending medicals. The Astros would be receiving Burrows from the Pirates in the proposed deal while Lowe would head to the Pirates along with Jake Mangum and Mason Montgomery. Melton and Anderson Brito would move from the Astros to the Rays in the massive swap. From the Pirates’ perspective, they will add one of the best power-hitting second basemen in the game. While there’s more work to be done, it’s a nice step forward to legitimize their lineup.

The Astros are looking to use offseason trades to acquire young starting pitchers and have also been linked to Shane Baz and Connelly Early. Burrow is 26 years old and coming off a decent season with the Pirates, in which he posted a 3.94 ERA in 96 innings with a 24 percent strikeout rate. Burrow has decent velocity on his fastball with decent shape and a changeup that eats up left-handed hitters. His slider has flashed the ability to get swinging strikes against righties, so there is a path here for him to become an interesting starter if he can develop that slider a bit more.

Imagine getting this kind of run support from the Pirates offense and still not being allowed to go for a win. Because of management like this, getting pulled after just 74 pitches, Burrows is just 2-4 with a 3.93 ERA in 19 starts and three relief appearances. Carmen Mlodzinski got the win today after throwing three scoreless innings as Burrows’ replacement. Burrows should pitch again versus the Braves next weekend.

Burros struck out six and only handed out one free pass. The 25-year-old rookie righty has allowed three earned runs or fewer in six consecutive starts dating back to August 16. He’ll square off against the Athletics next weekend at PNC Park.

Burrows was lifted after 56 pitches because he was due to work in tandem with Braxton Ashcraft tonight. It’s the fourth straight outing in which he’s been workload limited; he’s allowed just two runs over 13 innings over the four appearances. He’ll probably pitch again, either as a starter or a reliever, Sunday against the Nationals.

This was probably going to be a short one for Ashcraft regardless, but he threw 37 pitches in the second, when he loaded the bases with no outs and went to 3-2 counts on each of the first five hitters. He got out of it when Kiké Hernández flew out to end the inning. After three innings, he was replaced by Mike Burrows, who also threw three scoreless innings and was credited with the win. Ashcraft will probably next start against the Orioles on Tuesday.

Burrows gave the Pirates four shutout frames, scattering two hits and one walk while striking out five batters. His day would be done after the fourth at 57 pitches in what’s likely some load management for the 25-year-old right-hander. Burrows will take a 4.23 ERA, 1.24 WHIP, and a 78/28 K/BB ratio across 76 2/3 innings into a start against the Cardinals in St. Louis on Thursday.