Spencer Arrighetti Struggling to Build Off Spectacular May

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Spencer Arrighetti Struggling to Build Off Spectacular May

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Andrew Jamieson | Last updated Jun 27, 2026 11:07 AM ET

Not too long ago, Spencer Arrighetti looked like the savior of the Houston Astros' starting rotation.

Through May, Arrighetti owned a 7-1 record with a 1.34 ERA across eight starts. In May specifically, the 26-year-old was dominant, going 4-1 with a stellar 0.93 ERA over 29 innings. He allowed just three earned runs all month and did not surrender more than one in any outing. Arrighetti's brilliant performance earned him American League Pitcher of the Month honors.

However, the Astros right-hander has hit a major rough patch in June. Across five starts this month, Arrighetti is 0-3 with a 9.00 ERA in 25 innings. He has been charged with the loss in each of his last three starts. While he has recorded an impressive 32 strikeouts against 11 walks, the rest of his numbers have taken a significant step backward.

Spencer Arrighetti against the Tigers: 3+ IP, 5 H, 8 ER, 5 BB, 7 K, 93 pitches, 49 strikes, 33 swings, 13 whiffs. Arrighetti has an 9.00 ERA in his past five starts, raising his season ERA to 4.00 after 72 innings.
— Chandler Rome (@Chandler_Rome) June 26, 2026

The biggest culprit has been the long ball. Arrighetti has allowed seven home runs this month, including three against the Detroit Tigers on Friday. Six of those seven home runs have come in his last two starts alone.

Walks have also remained an issue. Against Detroit, Arrighetti threw just 49 of his 93 pitches for strikes, and lasted only three innings in Houston's 8-0 loss. He allowed eight runs while striking out seven and walking five batters. The five walks matched a season high.

Arrighetti's dazzling 1.34 ERA through May helped mask command issues that have lingered throughout the season. His June struggles have only magnified those concerns. In 13 starts this year, Arrighetti has issued four or more walks seven times, limiting his ability to consistently pitch deep into games.

Houston's starting rotation remains depleted with injuries, with Ronel Blanco, Cristian Javier, and Lance McCullers Jr. all still on the injured list. Fortunately for the Astros, all three pitchers have begun rehab assignments and could return in the near future.

Those injuries have contributed to Houston's starters posting a 4.99 ERA this season. That mark ranks second-worst in MLB, ahead of only the Colorado Rockies.

Still, the Astros need Arrighetti to find his May form again if they hope to remain in the postseason race. Entering Saturday, Houston sits 2.5 games behind the Seattle Mariners in the AL West and just one game out of the final American League Wild Card spot.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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