Ryan

Weiss

Hunter Brown (shoulder) is out for at least a month, and Cristian Javier left his start yesterday with an injury, so the Astros need to fill innings in their rotation. France has been pitching in a multi-inning role in Triple-A, so it’s unclear if he would move into the rotation or perhaps keep his bullpen role, which would allow Ryan Weiss to enter the rotation. Weiss looked good in spring training and could be an interesting name in fantasy leagues if he gets a chance to start.

Weiss struck out one batter on the night. The 29-year-old right-hander got four swings and misses on 53 pitches on the night, posting a CSW of 23 percent. He has been nothing short of brilliant this spring, compiling a 0.93 ERA, 0.93 WHIP and a 7/4 K/BB ratio over 9 2/3 innings of work. He has probably earned the right to open up in the Astros’ rotation if they go with a six-man alignment.

Weiss came in to begin the sixth, so he was facing the backups to the mostly backups the Cardinals brought with them in their road split-squad game. Still, striking out six of 12 batters is pretty nice regardless of the competition. With the Astros likely to open up in a six-man rotation, there’s probably going to be room for one of Weiss, Peter Lambert and Spencer Arrighetti initially.

This finalizes a deal agreed to a week ago. Weiss topped out in Triple-A with the Diamondbacks and Royals before pitching in Taiwan in 2023 and Korea the last two season. 2025 was his breakthrough campaign, as he went 16-5 with a 2.87 ERA and a 207/56 K/BB in 178 2/3 innings for Hanwha. The Astros will have the 28-year-old contend for a rotation spot in spring training.

ESPN’s Jesse Rogers adds that Weiss is guaranteed $2.6 million and could earn more than $10 million over two years as part of a multi-year deal that includes a club option for 2027. Weiss fortifies Houston’s starting pitching depth behind ace Hunter Brown after spending the last two years in Korea with the Hanwha Eagles where he posted a 3.16 ERA, 1.07 WHIP and 305/85 K/BB ratio across 270 1/3 innings over 46 starts. The soon-to-be 29-year-old righty has yet to pitch in the majors but pitched at the Triple-A level in the Royals and Diamondbacks systems before heading overseas. He represents a relatively low-risk gamble for the Astros as they attempt to rebuild their rotation this offseason.

Weiss was removed from Kansas City’s 40-man roster last October after being claimed a few months earlier off waivers from the Diamondbacks. The 26-year-old righty has yet to reach the majors and struggled this season in 12 relief appearances for Triple-A Omaha.

Weiss was designated for assignment by Kansas City and didn’t receive a claim from a different team on waivers. The 25-year-old right-hander had an ugly 6.93 ERA in his time in the minors in 2022.

He’ll head to Triple-A Omaha. Weiss has a 5.74 ERA while pitching mostly in relief between Double- and Triple-A this season.

Weiss was waived to make space for Dallas Keuchel on the 40-man roster. The 25-year-old right-hander has yet to make his major league debut. He recorded a 7.45 ERA, 2.17 WHIP, and ten strikeouts over 9 2/3 innings in Triple-A.

Weiss has been added to the Diamondbacks’ 40-man roster and will be protected from selection in next month’s Rule 5 Draft. The 24-year-old righty posted a 4.60 ERA, 1.23 WHIP and 88/31 K/BB ratio across 78 1/3 innings between Double-A Amarillo and Triple-A Reno last year.