Astros Announce Spring Training Rotation

Mar 2, 2015; Kissimmee, FL, USA; Houston Astros starting pitcher Collin McHugh (31) runs on the field during morning work outs at Osceola County Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports

The first Spring Training game is just a few days away as the Astros open up at home against the Phillies on Thursday. In a little more exciting news in terms of the games, Brian McTaggart has posted the rotation given out by A.J. Hinch.

Collin McHugh was rumored to be the first pitcher in the rotation this spring a few days ago, but that is now confirmed. Brett Oberholtzer will be taking over the second slot in the rotation on the road on Friday, while Dallas Keuchel will stay in Kissimmee and pitch third at home on Saturday. And on Sunday, there will be a split squad that will see Scott Feldman at home and Dan Straily pitch on the road.

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Interesting enough, these are the five guys projected to start the season in the rotation according to the writers over here at CTH. Don’t read too much into the order of the spring rotation as this is more than likely not the order they’ll go when the games count. Although I do expect McHugh in the conversation, I expect Keuchel or Feldman to start on Opening Day.

It’s nice seeing A.J. Hinch talk about Oberholtzer essentially having a spot in the rotation, and he does calm down the talk a little bit about Straily. Even though Straily is the one starting, it doesn’t mean that Asher Wojciechowski, Sam Deduno, or Mark Appel aren’t being considered for the final rotation spot. This is just the way it worked out.

Don’t count out Roberto Hernandez (NRI) either as the team expects him to join them this week just in time for the games. With the experience that he brings, he could very easily make the team with a solid spring.

The time of speculating is just about over, and now we finally get to sit back and watch them (or listen to them) play ball. Make sure to take a look at the site tomorrow as the writers here at CTH will post the Opening Day bullpen predictions.

Next: Astros Prospect: Joe Sclafani Interview

More from Climbing Tal's Hill

• Just how much better is the Houston Astros playoff rotation than the rest?
• Houston Astros: A Lineup Change to Spark Offense
• Astros prospect Hunter Brown throws 6 shutout innings in debut
• Always faithful Astros World Series champion Josh Reddick defends the title
• Michael Conforto declines Astros’ 2-year, $30 million offer