Houston Astros Rogelio Armenteros shut down due to arm injury

The Houston Astros are shutting down talented righty Rogelio Armenteros.

The Houston Astros have decided to shut down Cuban righty Rogelio Armenteros due to various arm ailments reported the team’s press department on Saturday.

Armenteros signed with Houston as an international free agent in 2014 and has worked his way through the Houston farm system impressing at every level. Thus earning his way on to the 40 man roster.

Although he isn’t a hard thrower he knows how to change speeds and work the count something that has caught Houston’s eye.

In 2018 he had an impressive campaign at Fresno (AAA) compiling a record of 8-1 with a 3.74 earned run average and 134 punchouts in 118 innings.

The last two winters Armenteros has been a force in the Dominican Winter League posting an ERA of 2.71 while winning two games with the Giants of the Cibao.

The native of Havana complained of pain in his elbow and shoulder. His shoulder had minimal swelling and his status is day to day, but with rest Armenteros should be ready go in the near future.

The injury might be a big setback for the versatile Cuban who is in a battle with Josh James and Austin Pruitt for the team’s fifth starter or a long reliever spot in the bullpen.

Armenteros looked presentable in his brief time with the team last season. In 18 innings the righthander had a record of 1-1, an ERA of 4.00 and 18 K’s.

The team was optimistic that Armenteros would win a job with the ball club with a good spring, especially with the losses of Gerrit Cole, Wade Miley and Will Harris in free agency.

The way his spring has started even with a full recovery Armenteros faces an uphill battle in the race to make the ball club.

Although the injury puts him at a disadvantage to make the club this spring, he could still be with the ball club via a call up if a pitcher suffers and injury or has lackluster start to the season.