Pecko didn't factor into the decision Thursday against the Royals, striking out four while allowing one run on three hits and no walks in 5.2 innings. He picked up his first hold of the season.
Working in long relief for the Astros on Thursday, Pecko delivered a strong performance out of the bullpen. The rookie right-hander has been a serviceable addition to the Houston pitching staff since being promoted to the major leagues in mid-August, giving up one run while working at least 4.1 innings in three consecutive outings. He should have some streaming appeal in fantasy leagues still in play for next week's scheduled appearance at pitcher-friendly Seattle, where he'll bring a 3.77 ERA, 1.12 WHIP and 19:12 K:BB over 28.2 innings.
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Astros' Ethan Pecko: Likely to work in bulk relief
Rotowire
Pecko is expected to pitch in bulk relief behind opener Miguel Ullola in Thursday's game against the Royals, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.
The Astros will go back to an arrangement that yielded strong results in last Friday's 3-1 loss to the Rays. In that contest, Ullola started and tossed a scoreless inning, while Pecko entered the game in the midway through the third. The 24-year-old Pecko proceeded to deliver his best MLB performance to date, limiting the Rays to one run on one hit and two walks while striking out four over 5.2 innings.
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Astros' Ethan Pecko: Strong in bulk relief
Rotowire
Pecko did not factor into the decision in Friday's 3-1 loss to the Rays, allowing one run on one hit and two walks with four strikeouts over 5.2 innings.
Pecko entered with one out in the third inning and delivered his best performance in five outings with the Astros. The 24-year-old threw only 44 of 75 pitches for strikes, but he's now yielded one earned run in consecutive outings. He owns a 4.30 ERA, 1.26 WHIP and 15:12 K:BB across 23 major-league innings and lines up for a home matchup with the Royals next week.
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Astros' Ethan Pecko: Receiving another start
Rotowire
Pecko is slated to start Tuesday's game against the Yankees in New York.
Despite a poor showing in his MLB debut last Wednesday against the Angels -- he struck out four and gave up two runs on three hits and three walks over 3.2 innings -- Pecko will end up receiving another turn through the Houston rotation. Though the Yankees rank 28th in the majors with an 80 wRC+ since the All-Star break, Pecko won't make for a comfortable streaming option coming off an underwhelming performance versus the 30th-ranked Angels (75 wRC+). Pecko could be headed back to Triple-A Sugar Land following Tuesday's start, as Mike Burrows (elbow) has pitched well in his first two rehab outings and could be ready to come off the injured list by the end of the week to replace Pecko in the rotation.
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Astros' Ethan Pecko: Called up ahead of MLB debut Wednesday
Rotowire
The Astros selected Pecko's contract from Triple-A Sugar Land on Wednesday, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports.
The 23-year-old righty will start and make his major-league debut Wednesday against the Angels after recording a 4.94 ERA, 1.39 WHIP and 71:28 K:BB across 74.2 innings with Sugar Land this season. Pecko will likely need to perform well Wednesday in order to ensure he receives additional starts with the Astros, as Mike Burrows (elbow) has already completed a rehab start and could be ready to return from the 15-day injured list the next time Pecko's turn in the rotation comes up.
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Astros' Ethan Pecko: Looks like 2026 rotation depth
Rotowire
Pecko has a 1.88 ERA, 1.13 WHIP and 31:8 K:BB in 24 innings over his last five starts for Triple-A Sugar Land.
A 6-foot-2 righty whom the Astros selected in the sixth round of the 2023 First-Year Player Draft out of a small college, Pecko's stock has steadily increased in pro ball. He has impressively navigated the harsh conditions of the Pacific Coast League after a couple rough outings following his Aug. 5 promotion from Double-A Corpus Christi. Pecko has been particularly sharp of late, striking out 17 batters in 11 innings over his last two starts for the Space Cowboys. He averages 94 mph on his sinker (touches 96 mph), but it plays above its velocity due to excellent late movement. His 83-mph slider and 89-mph cutter are his top two secondary offerings. Pecko has a chance to spend a good chunk of next season in the big-league rotation if he picks up where he's leaving off in 2025.
