As the Houston Astros gear up for Spring Training, one of the most intriguing storylines is how their starting rotation will ultimately come together. With so many moving pieces – from promising arms to injury comebacks – fans have every reason to keep a close eye on how things shake out in camp. And right in the thick of that competition is right-hander Spencer Arrighetti, who’s aiming to bounce back after a frustrating 2025 campaign that was derailed by injuries.

Arrighetti’s year was essentially wiped out before it ever got going. First came a freak thumb injury during batting practice – the kind of bad luck that makes you shake your head.

By the time he was healthy enough to ramp back up, an elbow issue sent him back to the shelf, forcing another reset. For a pitcher trying to establish himself as a mainstay in a big-league rotation, it was a tough blow.

But heading into 2026, there’s real reason for optimism. Arrighetti recently shared that his offseason is going smoothly and, more importantly, that his elbow is no longer a concern.

Speaking about the injury, he made it clear that the issue never reached the level of structural damage. “As you looked at the scans and everything, the ligaments are all good… there was never a tear,” he said.

Surgery was never in the conversation – just rest and rehab. And now, he says he’s ready to compete.

That’s big news for an Astros team that’s going to have a lot of decisions to make in the coming weeks. Hunter Brown is expected to lead the rotation, while newcomer Tatsuya Imai will be looking to prove his stuff translates against MLB hitters.

Mike Burrows, another offseason addition, figures to be in the mix as well. After that, things get crowded – and complicated.

The back end of the rotation is shaping up to be a battle royale. Cristian Javier is working his way back from injury, and Lance McCullers Jr. is another name to watch if he’s healthy. Ryan Weiss and Nate Pearson are also in the mix, and that’s before you even consider the young arms waiting in the wings: AJ Blubaugh, Miguel Ullola, and Colton Gordon, just to name a few.

That’s a lot of competition, and it means Arrighetti can’t afford a slow start. But given his previous big-league experience and the Astros’ apparent interest in using a six-man rotation, the path is there for him – if he’s healthy and sharp.

He knows nothing is guaranteed, and he’s not taking anything for granted. But by all indications, he’s ready to fight for his spot.

If he can stay on the mound and show the kind of stuff that once made him one of the more intriguing arms in the system, he’s got a real shot to re-establish himself. But with so many capable arms in camp, the margin for error is slim.

The Astros are going to have some tough choices to make. And for Arrighetti, the work starts now.