Houston Astros: Brad Peacock has hip surgery, will miss start of Spring Training

The Houston Astros were not necessarily known for their starting pitching depth during the 2014 season, a handicap that was further hampered when the team moved starter Jarred Cosart at the trade deadline. Now the depth becomes a further question with news that starter Brad Peacock will miss the start of Spring Training.

Evan Drellich of the Houston Chronicle is reporting that Peacock underwent a procedure on October 6th to remove bone spurs in his right hip and repair a torn labrum. He is currently rehabbing from the surgery but the four month recovery time won’t put him back into normal offseason workouts until February at the earliest, which puts Spring Training and ergo Opening Day in doubt.

Call to the Pen

2014 was Peacock’s second with the Houston Astros after coming over from the Oakland Athletics along with Chris Carter and Max Stassi in exchange for Jed Lowrie and Fernando Rodriguez prior to the 2013 season. It was an up and down season for the 26-year-old right-hander, who struggled to a 4-9 record, a 4.72 ERA, and a 4.99 FIP, but posted a career-high with 131.2 innings and averaged 8.1 K/9.

Peacock was presently penciled in as the team’s 5th starter, according to the Astros depth chart on MLB.com, which means the team will be on the look-out for an early season filler. Of course, the Astros could also use this time to upgrade, as General Manager Jeff Luhnow (via Brian McTaggart, MLB.com) indicated that the team may have an additional $20 million to commit to new salaries in 2015. Given their addition of Scott Feldman last season, the Astros could pursue a mid-level starter like Jason Hammel, Brandon McCarthy, or Francisco Liriano to not only fill he void, but improve the product. That would still leave them money to spend on the bullpen and/or perhaps a corner outfielder, although that market is limited.