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 the group last season.
Where the Astros Pitching Staff Stands
While Hunter Brown is the clear ace of this team, Framber Valdez will likely move on. Additionally, Spencer Arrighetti and Lance McCullers Jr. spent multiple stints on the injured list. Beyond that, Cristian Javier struggled with inconsistency following Tommy John surgery. The Astros expect Hayden Wesneski and Ronel Blanco to return from TJ surgery, but both will still miss the start of the season.
Who does Houston turn to? Jason Alexander is a possibility, but as an older veteran who has never established himself, there is no guarantee. J.P. France likely becomes an option, alongside young talent A.J. Blubaugh.
While the Astros have yet to land a big-name pitcher, they have made a couple of under-the-radar moves to help bolster their pitching staff. The team announced the moves earlier this month.
Weiss Joins The Astros
The Astros signed 28-year-old right-hander Ryan Weiss to a one-year deal earlier this month, 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.
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.
A look at Ryan Weiss in the KBO.
Video by @Astros_Coverage pic.twitter.com/81hsQ1O4Uf
— Michael Schwab (@michaelschwab13) December 3, 2025
The Arizona Diamondbacks selected Weiss in the fourth round of the 2018 MLB Draft out of Wright State. While he showed early promise with the D-Backs, Weiss struggled overall in the minors, including a stint in the Kansas City Royals system. He reached the Triple-A level for both those clubs from 2021-23 and appeared in 132 minor league games with 47 starts. Weiss also pitched in China in 2023.
More on New Astros Pitcher Ryan Weiss
Weiss recorded a 4.88 ERA in 313 1/3 minor league innings, along with 294 strikeouts and a 1.420 WHIP. The Astros plan to use him as a starter to add more depth. Houston must get creative this offseason due to financial strain, and general manager Dana Brown hopes Weiss provides an underrated answer.
Weiss brings strong strikeout numbers, an encouraging sign for a potential starter. Brown also values Weiss’ durability, as the 6-foot-4 right-hander possesses a strong lower half. After dealing with numerous pitching injuries, the Astros need someone who can stay available, miss bats, and eat innings.
Houston has excelled at developing pitchers throughout its farm system and making them viable starters or bullpen arms. Weiss fits that mold with a strong fastball that tops out at 97 mph. In order to make space on the roster, the Astros outrighted outfielder Taylor Trammell and reliever Logan VanWey. Weiss is guaranteed $2.6 million and includes a $5 million club option for 2027.
Nate Pearson
Back in October, the Astros made an under-the-radar signing of 29-year-old righty Nate Pearson to a one-year deal for $1.35 million. The former first-round pick of the Toronto Blue Jays in 2017 spent the last two seasons in the Chicago Cubs organization. Pearson spent time in 2025 with Triple-A Iowa and posted a 2.22 ERA in 44 2/3 innings pitched, along with 57 strikeouts. His time with the Cubs was a struggle to say the least, as he had a whopping 9.20 ERA in 11 relief appearances. The Cubs released him on Sept. 21.
Nate Pearson has some sneaky good stuff
Fastball, slider, curveball and sinker mix. Has struggles with the walks but throws hard. Can the Astros lab fix him? pic.twitter.com/L59Uiq3AMK
— SleeperAstros (@SleeperAstros) October 17, 2025
Pearson represents another low-cost option for the Astros as they seek depth and upside in the rotation and bullpen. While the team reportedly plans to build him up as a starter, a bullpen role appears more likely. Pearson has appeared in 123 career major league games, with only six starts. He owns a 5.17 ERA with 160 strikeouts across 156 2/3 innings.
His best season (well, part of one) was 2024, once he got traded to the Cubs. Pearson posted a 2.73 ERA in 26 1/3 innings along with 23 strikeouts and a 0.987 WHIP. Houston will be looking to bring that back out.
More Insight on Two Astros Pitching Moves
Like Weiss, Pearson also seems like a big figure on the mound with a 6-foot-6 height. His fastball reaches nearly 98 mph, giving him intriguing raw tools. The Astros may prioritize durability after last season’s struggles.
Pearson brings legitimate major league experience, having spent five seasons with Toronto from 2020–21 and 2023–24 before joining the Cubs. He also shares a connection with Brown, as the Blue Jays drafted Pearson 28th overall in 2017 when Brown served as a special assistant to GM Ross Atkins.
The Astros have taken chances on two wild cards, and the upside exists. Now, the question is whether either can take a meaningful step forward. If any organization can unlock that potential, it is Houston. The Astros still expect to sign a big-name pitcher and remain open to trading Jake Meyers to create financial flexibility.
This does not solve everything, but it adds important back-end insurance depth.
Main Photo Credit: David Frerker-Imagn Images
The post Where Astros Pitching Staff Stands After Officially Signing Two More Pitchers appeared first on Last Word On Baseball.