General Manager Dana Brown may feel like he is playing with a Rubik’s Cube when he tries to set up the starting rotation over the next few months. With the recent loss of Cristian Javier and Jose Urquidy to TJ surgery, the starting pitcher depth teeters on near-disaster. On top of the lack of depth, the Astros may face compelling reasons to limit the work load of Hunter Brown, Spencer Arrighetti, and Ronel Blanco in the second half of the season.
Teams like the Astros will frequently limit the seasonal work load of young starting pitchers and starters who have little experience with a starting pitcher work load.