Astros Spencer Arrighetti exits with foot injury in Chicago

At Daikin Park in Houston, the Astros have leaned on Spencer Arrighetti to stabilize the rotation. That made Friday's update from Chicago a rough one. Astros Spencer Arrighetti left his start against the White Sox in the second inning after a line drive struck his right foot.

Arrighetti stayed in briefly after the comebacker, but the outing did not last much longer. The right-hander exited with the training staff after recording only a few outs, leaving Houston to sort through another health concern on the pitching side.

Astros Spencer Arrighetti injury cuts short his start

The injury happened early in the game against the White Sox. A batted ball hit Arrighetti on the foot, and he tried to continue. Houston soon pulled him from the mound in the second inning.

Early exits always hit harder for a club already managing innings, matchups, and bullpen wear. For the Astros, that matters beyond one night in Chicago. A shortened start can force extra reliever usage and alter plans for the next few games, especially if the club needs to cover innings that usually belong to a starter.

Houston rotation depth faces another test

Houston has spent much of the season adjusting around injuries and changing pitching availability. Arrighetti has been part of that equation, giving the Astros meaningful starts while the staff works through its options.

No full diagnosis was included in the initial report, so the immediate question is simple. Can Arrighetti make his next turn, or will Houston need to plug another hole in the rotation? That answer will shape the Astros' near-term pitching plan more than any one result from Friday's game.

The club should have more clarity once Arrighetti is evaluated after the game or over the next day. Houston's upcoming rotation order, bullpen workload, and potential roster moves all become more important if the foot injury lingers into next week.

This article is a summary of reporting by The Washington Post. Read the full story here.