The Astros continue to revamp their pitching staff. Houston acquired right-handed pitcher Kai-Wei Teng in a trade from the Giants in exchange for Minor League catcher Jancel Villarroel on Thursday.
They are still missing a lefty on their 40-man roster, but they did strike a minor league deal with left-hander Tom Cosgrove, with an invitation to Spring Training, according to sources. The team has not yet confirmed the Cosgrove deal, per MLB.
That being said, Teng is a good addition to the roster. The 27-year-old posted a 7.30 ERA over 12 big league games and seven starts with San Francisco over the course of the last two seasons. He struck out 46 batters and issued 25 walks in 40 ⅔ innings, per MLB.
Based on his numbers, Teng will compete for a spot on the Opening Day roster and has the ability to start or pitch in relief, giving the Astros added flexibility on the pitching staff.
He’s known for his sweeping breaking ball. Teng throws from a low arm slot and works a five-pitch mix, using that sweeper more than any other pitch. That versatility gives Houston flexibility as they sort out roles this spring.
The move also gives the Astros another arm to evaluate closely during Spring Training as roster decisions begin to take shape.
The Astros have added a lot of new arms to their rotation, and these latest additions put them in a solid position. All they need now is a reliable lefty, and they’re set.