Gusto (2-1) picked up the win in Friday's 6-4 victory over the Padres, giving up two runs on nine hits over five innings. He struck out two without walking a batter.
A two-homer game from rookie Cam Smith gave Gusto all the offense he needed, as the 26-year-old right-hander pounded the strike zone by tossing 51 of his 68 pitches for strikes before exiting. He's held his own in the big-league rotation, and through six appearances (two starts) on the season he's posted a 3.18 ERA, 1.24 WHIP and 17:3 K:BB through 17 innings, but with Lance McCullers (forearm) potentially returning before the end of the month, Gusto could be headed back to the bullpen soon enough. If he gets one more turn, it would line up to come at home next week against the Blue Jays.
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Astros' Ryan Gusto: Likely to get another start
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Astros general manager Dana Brown said Sunday that he expects Gusto to make at least one more start with the big club, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports.
After opening the season in the Houston bullpen, Gusto slid into the rotation Saturday as a replacement for Spencer Arrighetti (thumb), who was placed on the 15-day injured list earlier in the week. Though he took a loss against the Angels and gave up three earned runs over four innings, Gusto delivered a strong 6:1 K:BB and induced 12 whiffs on 72 pitches. The Astros seemingly came away encouraged by the rookie's performance, and he looks like he'll be in line to make his next start during the team's three-game series versus the Padres next weekend. Gusto could be headed to the bullpen or to Triple-A Sugar Land after that, however, as Lance McCullers (forearm) could be on track to return from the 15-day injured list the following week.
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Astros' Ryan Gusto: Drops first start
Rotowire
Gusto (1-1) took the loss Saturday against the Angels, allowing three runs on four hits and one walk over four innings. He struck out six.
The Angels got to Gusto early, opening the first inning with three straight hits to plate two runs. The 26-year-old Gusto would manage to stop the bleeding until Nolan Schanuel's solo home run in the fourth. Overall, it was an up-and-down effort for Gusto in his first big-league start -- he had allowed just one run in eight innings out of the bullpen while striking out nine prior to Saturday. Gusto figures to remain in the Astros' rotation due to Spencer Arrighetti (thumb) expected to miss the next six weeks. Gusto is tentatively in line for a tough home matchup with the Padres in his next outing.
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Astros' Ryan Gusto: First MLB start coming Saturday
Rotowire
Gusto is slated to start Saturday's game against the Angels in Houston, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.
The 26-year-old right-hander will be making his first MLB start this weekend, filling the rotation spot that belonged to Spencer Arrighetti (thumb), who was placed on the injured list Tuesday. Gusto turned in a 3.70 ERA and 1.26 WHIP over 148.1 innings in 2024 as a full-time starter at Triple-A Sugar Land, and he's been magnificent so far this season after winning a spot in Houston's Opening Day bullpen coming out of spring training. After working a scoreless frame in relief en route to scooping up his first career win in Wednesday's 2-1 victory over the Mariners, Gusto now owns a 1.13 ERA, 0.88 WHIP and 9:2 K:BB across eight innings with the Astros. Gusto didn't throw more than 50 pitches in any of his four relief appearances this season nor in his four appearances in the Grapefruit League, so he could be slightly limited from a workload standpoint in his start Saturday.
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Astros' Ryan Gusto: Recalled from Triple-A
Rotowire
The Astros recalled Gusto from Triple-A Sugar Land on Thursday, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.
Gusto had been optioned earlier this month but has ultimately been included as part of the Opening Day bullpen. He's been a starter for most of his minor-league career and should serve as a multi-inning relief option.
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Astros' Ryan Gusto: Opening season in bullpen
Rotowire
The Astros announced Monday that Gusto has won a spot in the Opening Day bullpen, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports.
Houston previously optioned Gusto to Triple-A Sugar Land earlier this month, but he'll be recalled prior to Thursday's opener versus the Mets and will be available in relief. He gave up one run on one hit while striking out one over one inning during Monday's exhibition against Sugar Land, and it was enough to lock up his spot on the big-league roster. He'll be in line for his first major-league action, likely slotting in as a long reliever. Gusto primarily operated out of the rotation for Sugar Land last season, starting in 26 of his 29 appearances while logging a 3.70 ERA, 1.26 WHIP and 141:53 K:BB across 148.1 innings.
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Astros' Ryan Gusto: Optioned to Triple-A
Rotowire
The Astros optioned Gusto to Triple-A Sugar Land on Friday, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.
Gusto yielded just one run and struck out six over 6.2 innings during Grapefruit League play, although he also issued five walks. Slated to turn 26 next week, Gusto has yet to pitch in a major-league game, but he's on the 40-man roster and could be one of the first names the Astros call upon when they need a starter.
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Astros' Ryan Gusto: Competing for depth role
Rotowire
Gusto will have the chance to compete for the fifth rotation spot for Houston, but he is more likely to establish himself as a depth option, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.
The Astros have four clear members of the rotation to begin the season, though they are depleted by injuries thereafter. Hayden Wesneski is the likeliest occupant of the final rotation spot, but Gusto is on the radar after a solid 2024 season at Triple-A Sugar Land, where he posted a 141:53 K:BB across across 148.1 innings while maintaining a 3.70 ERA and 1.26 WHIP. Gusto was also set to make his big-league debut on the final day of the 2024 regular season before the game was rained out.
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