Astros: Rogelio Armenteros, Riley Ferrell shut down with injury concerns

Astros pitchers Rogelio Armenteros and Riley Ferrell have been shut down due to injury concerns.

The Astros have a number of pitchers vying for roster spots in Spring Training, but a couple of players may have just dropped out of the picture. Rogelio Armenteros and Riley Ferrell have both been shut down from throwing due to possible injury concerns.

Ferrell is reported to be experiencing shoulder soreness, while Armenteros is dealing with both shoulder and elbow soreness. The Astros are concerned enough about Ferrell to send him back to Houston to see the team’s doctors. Armenteros remains in Florida for the time being.

Neither was considered a frontrunner for a roster spot, either in the rotation or in the bullpen, but they certainly could have forced their way onto the roster with an impressive spring. Now it’s likely that whenever they begin throwing again, it will be for Triple-A Round Rock.

Outlook

Astros fans are familiar with Armenteros, as he appeared in five games with the big league club in 2019. Over two starts and three relief appearances, the 25-year-old Cuban-born right-hander pitched to a 4.00 ERA in 18 innings with solid peripheral stats, including a 1.222 WHIP and 2.77 FIP.

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Though Josh James and Austin Pruitt are considered the frontrunners for the fifth starter job, Armenteros could have forced his way into that conversation or earned a spot as a long reliever. If the injury isn’t serious, he could very well find his way to the majors later in the season if and when the Astros need reinforcements.

The 26-year-old Ferrell was the club’s third-round draft pick in 2015 out of TCU and has strictly worked as a reliever in the minor leagues. He was taken in the Rule 5 Draft by the Marlins last season, but never pitched in the majors and was ultimately returned to the Astros.

He dealt with some injury troubles before finishing the season with seven appearances for Round Rock, allowing eight runs in eight innings. He was ranked as the team’s No. 29 prospect back in 2017, with the scouting report noting the right-hander possesses a lively mid-90s fastball and a nearly unhittable slider, though his command and control need improvement.

It’s a tough blow for both of these pitchers, but hopefully they can get healthy soon and get back to working their way to the major leagues.