The Houston Astros face a setback as ace Lance McCullers Jr. has been placed on the 15-day injured list due to a foot sprain, which is retroactive to June 13. McCullers had just made his return to the mound after a long recovery from hip surgery. In seven starts, he has struggled somewhat with a 4.91 ERA and a 1-2 record, with his most effective performance being a 12-strikeout game against the Athletics. Meanwhile, Ryan Gusto is set to step in as the starter for McCullers, aiming to continue the Astros' momentum after a recent sweep of the Twins.

The Astros' injury woes have compounded, with multiple starters already sidelined, including Hayden Wesneski and Ronel Blanco, both out for the season post-surgery. The team's rotation was further affected by the loss of Spencer Arrighetti, who has been out since April. Houston will need to rely on its depth and the performance of Gusto and newly recalled Jason Alexander to navigate these challenges.

The Houston Astros have placed right-hander Lance McCullers Jr. on the 15-day injured list due to a sprained right foot, retroactive to Friday. This comes as a blow to the Astros, who lead the American League West but face a rotation decimated by injuries. McCullers, who had recently returned from two years away due to various arm injuries, has struggled this season with a 4.91 ERA across seven starts, showing signs of inconsistency.

Rookie Ryan Gusto will step in for McCullers as the Astros begin a four-game series against the Oakland Athletics. The Astros are also without other key pitchers, including Hayden Wesneski and Ronel Blanco, both out for the season, and Cristian Javier and Luis Garcia, who are recovering from Tommy John surgery. With Jason Alexander recalled from Triple-A to fill McCullers’ roster spot, the team’s depth will be tested as they strive to maintain their position in the competitive AL West.

In a strategic move, the Houston Astros are considering a six-man rotation during a crucial 13-game stretch without off days, as GM Dana Brown evaluated the team’s rookie starters. Currently, Ryan Gusto, Brandon Walter, and Colton Gordon are competing for spots, with Gusto's recent performance notably improving. He recorded his first six-inning outing, striking out seven against a struggling White Sox lineup. This outing, coupled with his fastball command improvements, could influence the Astros' future rotation decisions.

With veteran stability from Framber Valdez and Hunter Brown, the Astros are being cautious about their rotation depth due to injuries affecting consistency. Gusto’s versatility allows for flexibility in the lineup, adding to the ongoing evaluation process of the starting pitchers. The upcoming games could further test Gusto's capabilities, particularly against more formidable opponents.

In a lopsided matchup, Sean Burke struggled on the mound for the Chicago White Sox, suffering a 10-2 defeat against the Houston Astros. Burke allowed a career-high seven runs over 3 2/3 innings, highlighted by Christian Walker's two-run homer in the first inning. Despite Burke’s pre-game confidence about his physical condition, he admitted to making critical mistakes that the Astros capitalized on. Walker continued to shine, adding a two-out double to drive in additional runs, while Burke's inability to effectively mix pitches led to early troubles.

Meanwhile, Astros starter Ryan Gusto limited the White Sox to just two runs and struck out seven batters, showcasing strong command over his pitches. The White Sox's lineup managed only two runs, with contributions from Mike Tauchman and Miguel Vargas, but overall struggled against Gusto’s precision. Owen White, in his debut, provided some relief but couldn’t prevent the damage from escalating. The game illustrated a stark contrast in pitching effectiveness between Gusto's performance and Burke's missteps, leaving the White Sox searching for answers as they faced a strong Astros lineup.

Ryan Gusto, the Houston Astros' rookie right-hander, faced a challenging outing against the Pittsburgh Pirates, throwing 83 pitches across 4 ⅓ innings in a 3-0 loss. The Astros' manager, Joe Espada, emphasized the need for Gusto to be aggressive from the start, a strategy that initially seemed to work as Gusto took an early lead against many batters. However, inefficiency marred his performance, as he struggled to finish off hitters once ahead in the count, leading to elevated pitch counts and ultimately his early exit.

Despite allowing three runs—none of which were earned due to some unfortunate batted-ball luck—Gusto showed flashes of potential, especially when he was able to get ahead in counts. His command faltered slightly in the first inning but improved as he progressed. The Astros are in a tough spot with a rotation that includes several inexperienced arms, and Gusto's ability to pitch deeper into games will be crucial as they navigate their playoff push.