The Houston Astros made several roster moves on Thursday night as general manager Dana Brown seeks to strengthen pitching depth during contract option years.
First, the Astros traded minor league catcher Jancel Villarroel to the San Francisco Giants in exchange for starting pitcher Kai Wei Teng. Teng shows strong strikeout ability, averaging 11.8 strikeouts per nine innings during 29.2 innings last season with the Giants, along with a 14.1 K/9 rate both at the AAA Sacramento level and over 57 innings previously. However, his control remains inconsistent, with walk rates of 5.2 BB/9 in the majors and 3.5 BB/9 at AAA. Teng’s standout pitch is a sweeping breaking ball, and he also features a fastball that sits between 92-93 mph and can occasionally reach 94-95 mph, especially effective when thrown up in the strike zone. He complements these with a curveball and changeup.
On the other side, Villarroel was ranked as the Astros’ 13th-best prospect. At 20 years old, he split last season between Fayetteville (A-ball) and Asheville (High-A), though his production declined sharply in High-A despite being younger than the average player in that league by two years. Standing 5-foot-8 and weighing 175 pounds, Villarroel is not seen as a power hitter but showcases solid speed, having stolen 20 bases in 27 attempts at Fayetteville. He might develop into an outfielder and is currently considered the Giants’ 27th-best prospect.
To make room on the roster for Teng, the Astros designated starting pitcher JP France for assignment. France encountered difficulties coming back from shoulder capsule surgery, compiling a 6.59 ERA and a 1.72 WHIP across three minor league levels last season, along with control issues marked by 22 walks against 28 strikeouts in 27.1 innings. He appeared in just two games for the Astros in 2025, recording a 1-0 record with modest strikeout and walk numbers. Since surgery, France has lost velocity and struggled with command; he will turn 31 in April.
Additionally, the Astros signed left-handed reliever Tom Cosgrove, who has experience both as a starter and reliever but has pitched exclusively out of the bullpen at the major league level. Cosgrove primarily relies on a sweeping slider and sinker, with a fastball velocity between 88-91 mph, which can be particularly challenging for left-handed hitters due to his low arm slot. While he had a strong rookie season in 2023, control and walk issues have persisted. The Astros are known for maximizing the potential of pitchers they develop and currently hold option years on both Teng and Cosgrove, which is valuable since Houston will use a six-man rotation in the early part of the season—playing 24 games in 26 days—leaving the bullpen with only seven available arms.
In punishing games that tax the bullpen heavily, having additional optioned pitchers ready to join the major league roster is crucial for maintaining bullpen depth on short rest. Moreover, the Astros also benefit from having versatile pitchers like Jason Alexander, Colton Gordon, Ryan Weis, and Nate Pearson, who can provide multiple innings and help preserve the workload of other relievers.
Fan Take: This flurry of moves underscores Houston’s strategic approach to maintaining a deep and flexible pitching staff, critical in a season with an intense early schedule. For baseball fans, it highlights how teams are increasingly valuing versatile arms with high strikeout potential and options to manage workload effectively in today’s demanding game environment.
