Dallas Keuchel to rejoin Astros rotation

Dallas Keuchel will be recalled from AAA Oklahoma City to start tonight’s game against the Arizona Diamondbacks. The Astros will need to make a corresponding roster move to make room for the lefty. There is no shortage of candidates to send down, in my opinion.

Keuchel made his big league debut last month and pitched a complete game shutout in only his second outing. The Astros sent Keuchel back to AAA at the All-Star break in order to keep him working every five days. Keuchel was part of an experimental six-man rotation in Houston before being sent down.

The trade of J.A. Happ to Toronto creates an opening for Keuchel to rejoin the rotation. This time Keuchel plans to make the move a permanent one. The 24 year-old from the University of Arkansas showed promise and determination in his brief stint with the Astros earlier in the season.

Keuchel joins a struggling Houston squad that has dropped 17 of their last 19 games. The Astros have also lost seven of their last eight games against the Diamondbacks, dating back to last season.

Fellow rookie Wade Miley gets the start for Arizona. Miley has had a tremendous season, earning ten victories thus far. He has however struggled a bit lately, allowing 15 earned runs in 16 innings pitched over his last three starts.