Astros Acquire Key Pitcher Mike Burrows in Offseason Trade

Burrows brings intensity and upside to Houston's rotation after coming over from the Pirates

Published on Feb. 23, 2026

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The Houston Astros acquired right-handed pitcher Mike Burrows from the Pittsburgh Pirates this offseason, parting with two top prospects in the trade. Burrows, 26, is expected to slot directly into the middle of the Astros' starting rotation after making 19 major league starts for the Pirates last season. Astros manager Joe Espada praised Burrows' intensity and 'red-ass' demeanor, which he believes will be key assets as Burrows looks to solidify Houston's pitching staff.

Why it matters

The Astros' rotation has some question marks heading into the 2026 season, with only Hunter Brown surpassing 100 innings at the MLB level last year. Burrows, who is still pre-arbitration and under team control through 2031, represents an important acquisition as the Astros look to maintain their status as one of the American League's top teams.

The details

Burrows, who returned from Tommy John surgery in 2024, posted a 3.94 ERA in 96 innings for the Pirates last season. The Astros are hoping he can provide stability and innings in the middle of their rotation, with Astros GM Dana Brown touting Burrows as a 'big-time talent' who 'can be a pillar in your rotation.' Burrows said he's focused on increasing his two-seam fastball usage against right-handed hitters as he transitions to the Astros.

  • Burrows was called up to the Pirates' rotation in late May 2025.
  • Burrows was traded to the Astros on December 19, 2025.

The players

Mike Burrows

A 26-year-old right-handed pitcher who was acquired by the Houston Astros from the Pittsburgh Pirates this offseason. Burrows has 99 1/3 career major league innings and is expected to slot into the middle of the Astros' starting rotation.

Joe Espada

The manager of the Houston Astros, who praised Burrows' intensity and 'red-ass' demeanor, believing they will be key assets for the pitcher.

Dana Brown

The general manager of the Houston Astros, who touted Burrows as a 'big-time talent' who 'can be a pillar in your rotation' after acquiring him from the Pirates.

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What they’re saying

“He's got a little bit of red-ass in him, which I like a lot. He's got some intensity in him. I really like not only the stuff but the demeanor.”

— Joe Espada, Manager, Houston Astros (Houston Chronicle)

“He was up to (96 mph) that day with that filthy changeup that he throws. So he certainly caught my attention and some of our staff's attention.”

— Dana Brown, General Manager, Houston Astros (Houston Chronicle)

“It's an honor to know that somebody wants you that bad and a team like this wants you — I think that's initially where my head went. I thought that was cool more than anything. It wasn't like, 'Oh, the Pirates don't want me.' I know that they needed to do stuff like that and I just ended up being one of those guys.”

— Mike Burrows (Houston Chronicle)

What’s next

The Astros will monitor Burrows' workload closely this season, potentially using a six-man rotation at times to help manage his innings after he threw a career-high 128 1/3 innings between the majors and minors in 2025.

The takeaway

The Astros are banking on Burrows' intensity and upside to help solidify their starting rotation, which has some question marks heading into the 2026 season. If Burrows can provide stability and quality innings, he could emerge as a key piece for Houston as they look to maintain their status as one of the American League's elite teams.