{"id":110871,"date":"2025-12-16T19:56:52","date_gmt":"2025-12-17T00:56:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/?p=110871"},"modified":"2025-12-16T19:56:52","modified_gmt":"2025-12-17T00:56:52","slug":"where-astros-pitching-staff-stands-signing-ryan-weiss-nate-pearson","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/2025\/12\/16\/where-astros-pitching-staff-stands-signing-ryan-weiss-nate-pearson\/","title":{"rendered":"Where Astros Pitching Staff Stands After Officially Signing Two More Pitchers"},"content":{"rendered":"

The name of the game this offseason for the Houston Astros is starting pitching. Uncertainty surrounds the starting rotation for Houston in 2026, as injuries ravaged<\/a> the group last season.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Where the Astros Pitching Staff Stands<\/h2>\n

While Hunter Brown<\/a> is the clear ace of this team, Framber Valdez<\/a> will likely move on. Additionally, Spencer Arrighetti<\/a> and Lance McCullers Jr.<\/a> spent multiple stints on the injured list. Beyond that, Cristian Javier<\/a> struggled with inconsistency following Tommy John surgery. The Astros expect Hayden Wesneski<\/a> and Ronel Blanco<\/a> to return from TJ surgery, but both will still miss the start of the season.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Who does Houston turn to<\/a>? Jason Alexander<\/a> is a possibility, but as an older veteran who has never established himself, there is no guarantee. J.P. France<\/a> likely becomes an option, alongside young talent A.J. Blubaugh.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

While the Astros have yet to land a big-name pitcher, they have made a couple of under-the-radar moves<\/a> to help bolster their pitching staff<\/a>. The team announced the moves earlier this month.<\/p>\n

Weiss Joins The Astros<\/h3>\n

The Astros signed 28-year-old right-hander Ryan Weiss<\/a> to a one-year deal earlier this month,<\/a> officially confirming the move on Dec. 2. He has been quite the minor league journeyman who most recently pitched overseas. Weiss spent the last two seasons in South Korea with the Hawha Eagles of the Korea Baseball Organization.<\/p>\n

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Mar 14, 2022; Scottsdale, AZ, USA; Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Ryan Weiss during spring training practice at Salt River Fields. Credit: \u00a9 Rob Schumacher\/The Republic \/ USA TODAY NETWORK<\/p>\n

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\u00a0<\/span>The 6-foot-4 starter put up a 3.16 ERA and 1.069 WHIP in 270 1\/3 innings with 305 strikeouts over those two years. He posted high strikeout and ground ball rates, and Weiss turned his career around. The Astros are betting on that upside.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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A look at Ryan Weiss in the KBO.<\/p>\n

Video by @Astros_Coverage<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/81hsQ1O4Uf<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Michael Schwab (@michaelschwab13) December 3, 2025<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n