Left-hander Rudy Owens will make his Major League debut on Friday night when he starts for the Astros against the Mariners at Safeco Field. He was called up from Triple-A Oklahoma City to take the place of Brad Peacock, who has been scratched with right forearm soreness.
Owens has appeared in 10 games at Oklahoma City and was 2-3 with a 6.05 ERA, making seven starts. He last pitched May 17 at Nashville, allowing eight earned runs in three innings. This will be the Major League debut for Owens, who missed most of last season after undergoing foot surgery.
To make room for Owens on the roster, the Astros have optioned right-hander Josh Zeid to Oklahoma City.
Astros manager Bo Porter said the move to scratch Peacock is precautionary. Peacock played catch prior to Thursday’s game with assistant athletic trainer Rex Jones keeping an eye on him.
Peacock, 26, began the season in the Astros bullpen before making his last six turns in the rotation. In his last start, he picked up his first win of the season, tossing 6 2/3 innings and allowing two runs en route to an 8-2 win over the White Sox. He is considered day-to-day with his injury.
“Obviously, it’s not a DL situation,” Porter said. “We we didn’t want to risk it or push it when we can push him back and bring somebody in to make this start, and hopefully he’ll take his turn five days from now.”
Owens, 26, will be the third Astros rookie to make his Major League debut as starter in the last three seasons, joining right-handed pitcher Jarred Cosart (July 12, 2013 at Tampa Bay) and left-handed pitcher Dallas Keuchel (June 16, 2012 at Texas). Owens was acquired by Houston from Pittsburgh along with left-handed pitcher Colton Cain and outfielder Robbie Grossman in exchange for left-handed pitcher Wandy Rodriguez on July 24, 2012.
Zeid, 27, has made seven appearances for the Astros this season across two Major League stints. In his appearances, he’s posted no record and a 3.86 ERA with eight strikeouts in 7.0 innings pitched.
