Astros call up pitching prospect Ethan Pecko for debut
The Houston Astros selected pitching prospect Ethan Pecko for his Major League debut on Wednesday, Aug. 19, against the Los Angeles Angels. The 23-year-old right-hander, ranked No. 9 in Houston's system, joins a rotation that has used 17 different starters in 2026 and carries a 5.31 ERA over its last nine games. Pecko was added to the active roster ahead of the second game of the series at Daikin Park, giving manager Joe Espada another arm as the club pushes for the American League West title.
Key Takeaways
- Ethan Pecko makes his Astros debut Wednesday against the Angels after Houston cleared roster space on the 40-man and active lists.
- Pecko is the Astros' No. 9 prospect and becomes the 17th different starting pitcher used by the club this season.
- The right-hander went 4-6 with a 4.57 ERA, 86 strikeouts and 28 walks in 82 2/3 innings across the minors in 2026.
- Houston fell 3-1 to Los Angeles on Tuesday; its rotation posted a 5.31 ERA over the last nine games.
- Pecko overcame December thoracic outlet syndrome surgery and touches 98 mph with his fastball.
Why Are the Astros Calling Up Ethan Pecko Now?
Houston's starting staff has been in flux all season. The Astros lost for the sixth time in nine games in Tuesday's 3-1 defeat to the Angels, and Cristian Javier allowed two runs on five hits over four innings in a skipped rotation turn. Ronel Blanco was optioned after the Mariners tagged him for five runs across four innings on Saturday, and Tatsuya Imai was recently moved to the bullpen.
Pecko slots into the back of a rotation led by Hunter Brown and Peter Lambert, with Cristian Javier and Hayden Wesneski also in the mix. For more breaking roster moves and market-moving sports alerts, see our Fintech & Crypto Alerts hub.
Who Is Ethan Pecko?
Pecko has climbed from a relatively unheralded sixth-round selection out of Towson in the 2023 draft to one of Houston's better pitching prospects. MLB Pipeline ranks him ninth in the system; Baseball America lists him sixth and projects him as an MLB-ready No. 4 or No. 5 starter.
The 6-foot-2 right-hander from Ridley Park, Pa., began at La Salle before transferring to Towson. He was named the Astros' Minor League Pitcher of the Year after his first full pro season in 2024. He missed time with a strained forearm in 2025 but posted a 3.09 ERA in 35 Triple-A innings late that year.
What Roster Moves Did Houston Make?
To add Pecko, the Astros transferred infielder/outfielder Brice Matthews to the 60-day injured list, opening a 40-man roster spot. Matthews had been on the 10-day IL since July 14 with a left knee sprain and is not eligible for reinstatement until September. Right-hander Miguel Ullola was optioned to create an active roster opening, per MLB Trade Rumors.
Pecko was scratched from his scheduled Triple-A Sugar Land start on Sunday and initially feared he had been traded. When the club confirmed his promotion on Monday, he joined the taxi squad, worked out at Daikin Park on Tuesday and prepared to face the Angels.
What Can Pecko Bring to the Mound?
Pecko throws a five-pitch mix from a low three-quarters arm slot, working at 94-95 mph with a four-seam fastball that touches 98. He also features a sinker, cutter, slider and curveball, plus a tight sweeper that creates deception. Across 74 2/3 Triple-A innings this year, he posted a 4.94 ERA in the hitter-friendly Pacific Coast League, with a league-average strikeout and walk profile.
"I knew this was the year to reach the Majors, if any year," Pecko told MLB.com. "If you go up there and put up zeroes, you'll do well. I've got to focus on that and helping this team win."