Mike

Burrows

Burrows, out since July with elbow neuritis, had a setback with his shoulder while on a rehab assignment. He’s already done 60 days on the IL, so this is just a paper move. However, it’s unclear at this point whether he has a chance of making it back this month.

Burrows was optioned to Triple-A on July 7th, but then that assignment was voided when he was placed on the injured list on July 13th. He’s been sidelined for almost a month, so he’ll need a few rehab starts but could simply remain in the Triple-A rotation even when his rehab is done.

Burrows was sent down a week ago, only to have the option rescinded after he complained of the arm issue. He could get another look in Houston’s rotation in September, depending on how things work out.

Burrows was demoted last Tuesday after going 4-9 with a 5.99 ERA in 18 outings, but that’s voided now and he’ll keep earning service time while recovering from the elbow issue. Maybe we’ll see him back in the majors in September.

Burrows has been going through it, and he was charged for seven earned runs — 10 in total — in a loss Monay to the Astros that saw his ERA increase to an ugly 5.99 over 94 2/3 innings. He’ll head to Triple-A with Alimber Santa getting the call to replace the 26-year-old. Burrows seems likely to be back soon, but it seems pretty obvious he can’t be trusted in fantasy if/when that takes place.

Burrows was staked to an early five-run lead and wound up giving it all back with a couple calamitous frames. He gave up a whopping nine hits, including a three-run homer to CJ Abrams and a solo shot to Curtis Mead. He struck out three and issued two walks. The unexpected implosion raises his full-season ERA from 5.58 to 5.99 across 94 2/3 innings. He’ll close out a two-start week with a road matchup against the Rangers on Sunday to put a bow on the first half of the season.

Burrows struggled out of the gate, loading the bases in the first inning on two walks and a hit. A hit batter drove in a run, followed by a base hit to score two more before Burrows could get out of the inning. He settled in for three more scoreless innings before giving up a fourth run on a pair of two-out hits in the fifth. Burrow’s day would be done after five. He struck out three. The 26-year-old right-hander will take a 5.58 ERA, 1.51 WHIP, and a 72/33 K/BB ratio across 90 1/3 innings into a road start against the Nationals next Tuesday.

Burrows’ first start in 11 days was one of his best of the year. It’s just the second time he’s allowed one run or fewer and the sixth time in 15 starts that he’s completed six innings. Burrows still wasn’t exactly dominant in finishing with three strikeouts, seven whiffs on 45 swings and a 25 percent CSW. Still, it’s a positive showing for him to carry into his start against the Twins next week.

It’s unclear which game he’ll start, but Wednesday’s makes the most sense. Burrows made his first relief appearance of the year Friday, throwing one scoreless innings in the win over the Guardians. He was prepared to go long in the contest, but it wasn’t necessary with Tatsuya Imai striking out 11 in six innings.

The Astros are going with Tatsuya Imai, Spencer Arrighetti, and Kai-Wei Teng for the Guardians series this weekend. There was some question surrounding what the Astros would do with their rotation when Hunter Brown came off the injured list, and it appears, for now, that Burrows may be the odd man out. He will piggyback with Imai on Friday, but with a 5.86 ERA through 14 starts, he doesn’t need to be held in most league types.