Kyle

Weiland

He’ll be followed by Josh Beckett (ankle) on Friday, Jon Lester on Saturday and Tim Wakefield on Sunday. Weiland has allowed 12 runs on 21 hits over 16 innings in the majors this season and doesn’t come recommended in fantasy leagues.

Weiland got off to a great start, only to be undone by Darnell McDonald on back-to-back plays in the third. That led to a two-run inning that wasn’t his fault. Unfortunately, the next four runs were all his fault. The Red Sox need to avoid starting Weiland again unless it’s a meaningless game next week.

Weiland was expected to go at least four innings this one, but three walks and a HBP helped drive his pitch count up. It was his first rough outing of the spring, as he had pitched eight scoreless innings previously. He’s still very much in the running for the opening in Houston’s rotation.

Kyle Weiland was placed on the disabled list Friday with right shoulder bursitis, so Lyles will replace him in the starting rotation. The 21-year-old right-hander has a 3.46 ERA and 24/4 K/BB ratio in 26 innings over his first four starts at the Triple-A level this year. While he underwhelmed as a rookie last year, he’s worth a shot in NL-only leagues.

Weiland fanned one, walked one and hit a batter. He also induced nine ground ball outs. The 25-year-old right-hander now has eight shutout innings under his belt this spring and is making quite a statement for a spot in the Astros’ rotation.

The Astros have yet to make an official announcement, but given that the 21-year-old posted an ugly 8.41 ERA over 20 1/3 innings this spring, it doesn’t come as a big surprise. Lucas Harrell and Kyle Weiland will unofficially follow Wandy Rodriguez, Bud Norris and J.A. Happ in the starting rotation.

As expected. Lyles had a chance at winning one of the final two spots in the starting rotation, but posted an 8.41 ERA and 10/4 K/BB ratio over 20 1/3 innings this spring. Lucas Harrell and Kyle Weiland are both officially in the rotation.

Weiland has been pushed back to next Tuesday, so it doesn’t appear to be a major concern at the moment. Wandy Rodriguez will move up in the rotation to start Friday against the the Reds.

Rodriguez was originally scheduled to start Saturday, but the Astros were forced to alter the rotation after Kyle Weiland came down with shoulder soreness. The 33-year-old left-hander last started on Sunday, so he’ll be going on regular rest.

Weiland and Harrell have pitched the best in camp, posting ERAs of 2.25 and 2.16, respectively, while Lyles holds a 6.32 mark. Knowing they won’t be in contention this season, the Astros have decided to go with a youth movement in the rotation, and we applaud them for it. We could see some NL-only value for whoever in the group winds up in the rotation.