Astros lose another starting pitcher as Walter (elbow) hits IL

HOUSTON -- Another day, another player lands on the injured list for the Astros.

This time it is left-handed starting pitcher Brandon Walter, who was placed on the 15-day injured list Friday with left elbow inflammation. Walter, who threw seven innings of one-run ball Wednesday in Phoenix, becomes the 18th player and eighth starting pitcher on the injured list for Houston.

“It’s not what you want to hear, but we’re here, so we’ve got to turn the page and continue to move forward,” said Astros manager Joe Espada, ahead of the Astros' 15-3 loss to the A's.

Walter, 28, came to the ballpark Thursday with some swelling and stiffness in the elbow and reported it to the training staff. He was sent for an MRI, which showed inflammation in the elbow. Walter took that as good news and doesn’t expect to be out long-term.

“I’ve been throwing a lot, obviously, but you have to remember I didn’t pitch last year, and it’s tough to go from zero to around 100 innings [combined between Triple-A and the Major Leagues] this season,” he said. “I think the workload just crept up on me. It’s kind of a gradual thing, just being stiff every day, and after this last start it just became too much that I had to kind of bring it up.”

With Lance McCullers Jr. landing on the injured list Tuesday with a blister and Walter on Friday, the only healthy starting pitchers on the 40-man roster are Hunter Brown, Framber Valdez, Colton Gordon, Ryan Gusto (gave up eight runs in 3 1/3 innings Friday), Jason Alexander (threw six innings Thursday) and No. 12 prospect AJ Blubaugh, who made a spot start for Houston on April 30 and is currently at Triple-A.

Walter was signed to a Minor League deal last August after he was released by the Red Sox. He didn’t pitch at all in 2024 while he dealt with a rotator cuff injury and started this season in the rotation at Triple-A. He’s started nine games for the Astros, including six quality starts, and has posted a 3.35 ERA and 0.93 WHIP. He’s walked four batters and struck out 52 in 53 2/3 innings.

“I feel like I was on a good little run there, just eating up innings every time I’m out there and throwing well,” Walter said. “Obviously, didn’t want to change anything, but this is where we’re at. It is what it is, I guess. … It’s bad, but we’ve already shown we can kind of get through anything here. I don’t have any doubt in my mind the next guy up is going to be good to go and fit right in and we’re going to keep winning games.”

Some starting pitching help could be on the horizon for Houston.

Cristian Javier, a key member of the Astros’ rotation from 2022-23 before having Tommy John surgery last year, made a rehab start Thursday night for Sugar Land and allowed one run, two walks, three hits and struck out one batter in 2 2/3 innings at El Paso. He threw 30 of 49 pitches for strikes and averaged 93.6 mph with his fastball but generated only three whiffs from among 20 swings.

Meanwhile, Spencer Arrighetti made his first rehab start Friday night at Double-A Corpus Christi and tossed 3 1/3 innings, throwing 39 of 62 pitches for strikes. He gave up three runs (two earned) on four hits and one walk and struck out two batters against Amarillo. One of the hits was a home run.

Two other injured Astros starters are scheduled to make rehab outings this weekend at Double-A Corpus Christi: Luis Garcia on Saturday and J.P. France on Sunday. Arrighetti is the first in line to be activated from among Houston starters on the IL, followed by Javier.