Wesneski to make first MLB start in nearly 15 months: 'I don’t know how to act'
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Wesneski to make first MLB start in nearly 15 months: 'I don’t know how to act' 2:24 AM UTC Brian McTaggart
Adding to this, ANAHEIM -- More pitching help is on the way for the Astros, with right-hander Hayden Wesneski slated to be reinstated from the injured list and start Wednesday’s series finale against the Angels at Angel Stadium.
Meanwhile, Wesenski, one of three players the Astros acquired in December 2024 from the Cubs in the Kyle Tucker trade, will be pitching in a Major League game for the first time since May 6, 2025. He was in the Houston rotation to begin last year and was 1-3 with a 4.50 ERA in 32 innings before getting injured.
Notably, “I’m going to be nervous,” he shared. “I’m excited about it. I don’t know how to act tomorrow, to be honest with you. The first time I threw off the mound in the FCL [Florida Complex League], it was big time. Tomorrow, I can’t tell you how I’ll act, but I’ll figure it out.”
As per the latest buzz, Wesneski, a Houston native who was 9-13 with a 3.93 ERA in 190 innings in three seasons with the Cubs, is the second Astros pitcher to return from Tommy John surgery this month. Right-hander Ronel Blanco returned July 20 and has made two starts, posting an 8.10 ERA. In fact, Blanco and Wesneski both had Tommy John surgery within a couple weeks of each other and pushed each other through the recovery.
In further updates, “Certain times were fine and certain times it wasn’t,” Wesneski shared. “It had ebbs and flows. The first eight weeks with the brace weren’t great, but having Ronel Blanco next to me really did help a lot. He’s a great person and he helped push me and keep me motivated. There were times in Florida [during rehab] it was getting a little dull and boring, but we worked through it. Obviously, I’m very excited for tomorrow.”
On top of that, Wesneski posted a 2.25 ERA in five Minor League rehab starts, striking out 21 batters in 20 innings. In his final rehab start Friday at Triple-A Sugar Land, he struck out seven batters, throwing 80 pitches, 49 for strikes, while topping out at 95.9 mph.
“The stuff has felt good,” he shared. “There are times it felt inconsistent, but for the most part I’ve thrown a lot of strikes, which is the biggest deal. I’m spinning it well. There’s little inconsistencies here and there, but having five starts and the amount of strikes I’ve thrown, for the most part I’ve commanded the ball pretty well.”
Source: MLB.com