Houston Astros starting pitcher Hayden Wesneski shined on Sunday, punching out 10 in a 7-3 win over the Angels. He allowed three runs on five hits and no walks in six innings. His sweeper was his most effective pitch in the outing, inducing seven whiffs on 13 swings. This was his third straight good start to begin the year, as he's yet to give up more than three runs in a start. He has looked like a new pitcher since joining the Astros and is a solid option off of the waiver wire.

Houston Astros right-hander Hayden Wesneski (foot) is getting X-rays on Friday after he was hit on his left foot by a comebacker in a minor-league game on Thursday, according to MLB.com's Brian McTaggart. The good news is that Wesneski was seen doing drills in camp on Friday, so it doesn't sound like a serious injury. The 27-year-old will open his first year in Houston as the team's No. 5 starter, and he could get some nice run in that role after Luis Garcia was recently shut down with right-elbow soreness. Wesneski has more fantasy appeal in deeper leagues as a matchup-based streamer as a starter, but his stuff has played better in a relief role in his first three big-league seasons with the Chicago Cubs. He went 3-6 in 2024 with a 3.86 ERA (4.51 FIP) and 1.14 WHIP with 67 strikeouts and 21 walks in 28 outings (seven starts).

Houston Astros pitchers Framber Valdez, Hunter Brown, Ronel Blanco and Spencer Arrighetti -- each of whom made at least 28 starts in 2024 -- are locked into the starting rotation. Right-hander Hayden Wesneski, who was acquired from the Chicago Cubs this offseason in the deal that sent outfielder Kyle Tucker to Chicago, is penciled in as the No. 5 starter, according to MLB.com's Brian McTaggart. With Luis Garcia, Cristian Javier and Lance McCullers Jr. all rehabbing injuries, prospect ... [More]

According to Chandler Rome of The Athletic, the Chicago Cubs are sending right-handed pitcher Hayden Wesneski to the Houston Astros in a package to acquire star outfielder Kyle Tucker. Wesneski was initially drafted by the New York Yankees but has spent his entire big-league career with the Chicago Cubs. Across his first three seasons in the majors (190 innings), the right-hander posted a 3.93 ERA and 1.17 WHIP. Wesneski saw time as both a starter and a reliever and logged 22 starts over his 68 total games. Last summer, the 27-year-old generated a modest 4.17 xERA and .234 xBA. In addition, he posted a 23.7% K rate and 7.4% walk rate, which were both just above the average marks among qualified pitchers. Fantasy managers should monitor his status during Spring Training as he may earn a spot in the Opening Day rotation.

The Chicago Cubs activated right-hander Hayden Wesneski (forearm) from the 15-day injured list on Friday and designated right-hander Shawn Armstrong for assignment in a corresponding move. Wesneski will return to Chicago's bullpen for the final stretch of the 2024 season over the next week and a half. The 26-year-old has been sidelined since late July with a strained right forearm and should slot into a middle-relief role for the Cubbies, leaving him with virtually zero fantasy appeal to close out the season. Wesneski made four minor-league rehab appearances with Triple-A Iowa before being activated and will return to a 3-6 record with a 3.94 ERA (4.73 FIP), a 1.20 WHIP and a 58:21 K:BB over 61 2/3 innings in 25 appearances (seven starts) in 2024 in his third year in the majors with Chicago.

Chicago Cubs starting pitcher Hayden Wesneski was nearly perfect during Sunday's outing against the Los Angeles Angels. The right-hander allowed one hit over 6 1/3 scoreless innings in the win. Wesneski gave up a single in the first inning, but retired 18 batters in a row after that. He was later taken out of the game after a walk and an error left him in a jam. The Cubs bullpen was surprisingly able to escape the jam and help Wesneski earn the win. It was a great outing but fantasy managers don't need to be rushing to add Wesneski.

Chicago Cubs starting pitcher Hayden Wesneski recorded eight strikeouts and gave up no runs in 6 1/3 innings pitched in Friday's 3-1 loss to the Milwaukee Brewers. The eight strikeouts matched a career-high for Wesneski, who was recently called up. The 26-year-old has been used in both the bullpen and as a starter in his career, but he has now made two starts in a row for the Cubs. Wesneski may make a decent bench option for fantasy managers needing help in deeper leagues, but he could be bumped from the rotation when Justin Steele (hamstring) returns from the injured list next week. Wesneski's next scheduled start is Wednesday, May 8, against the San Diego Padres.

The Chicago Cubs are calling up first baseman Matt Mervis and right-hander Hayden Wesneski from Triple-A Iowa on Tuesday. Wesneski has to replace an injured player for the Cubs since he hasn't been down in the minors for 10 days yet after previously being optioned. Mervis will join the Cubs after hitting .288 with five home runs in his first 82 plate appearances at Iowa and could see some at-bats with Chicago as their designated hitter if outfielder Ian Happ (hamstring) is forced to the injured list. Wesneski made his first appearance of the year in the majors on April 17 against the Arizona Diamondbacks out of the bullpen and picked up a win by tossing four scoreless innings with no walks and two strikeouts. It's unclear what role he's going to have this time around.

The Chicago Cubs have optioned right-hander Hayden Wesneski to Triple-A Iowa. Jose Cuas and Luke Little have grabbed the final two bullpen spots on the roster while Javier Assad and Jordan Wicks have also made the team. A rough spring did not help Wesneski's chances of cracking the Opening Day roster as he posted a 9.82 ERA across six outings, two of which were starts, spanning 11 innings of work. He made 11 starts and 34 appearances for the Cubs in the 2023 season, working to a 4.63 ERA across 89 1/3 innings of work. The righty is likely the club's first arm to be promoted upon an injury to a member of the pitching staff but he remains well off the fantasy radar at this point.

Chicago Cubs pitchers Javier Assad, Drew Smyly, and Hayden Wesneski are expected to compete for the fifth starting pitcher role during Spring Training, according to MLB.com's Jordan Bastian. Former first-round pick Jordan Wicks is also in the mix, but Bastian notes that he's likely "better served" opening the year at Triple-A. That leaves three pitchers for presumably just one spot in the rotation, assuming the top four starters remain healthy and productive this spring. All three hurlers have potential; Assad limited hits and runs last year, Wesneski boasted a .224 OBA and 10.67 K/9 following the All-Star Break, and Smyly is a lefty with plenty of MLB experience. The two odd men out will be top candidates for a shift to the bullpen, even if temporary.

Chicago Cubs right-hander Hayden Wesneski is expected to replace Justin Steele (forearm) in the rotation. Wesneski was recalled from Triple-A Iowa on Tuesday and used out of the bullpen. He allowed one run on one hit and two walks while striking out four in Tuesday's relief appearance. According to Cubs manager David Ross, Steele will miss his next two starts, and the plan is for Wesneski to replace him in the starting rotation. Wesneski struggled with a 5.03 ERA and 1.32 WHIP before being demoted to Triple-A Iowa in mid-May. The 25-year-old will draw a two-start week. He has a tough matchup on the road Tuesday against the Angels and then is scheduled to face the Giants Sunday. Despite having two starts, Wesneski is considered a risky fantasy option in Week 11.

The Chicago Cubs recalled right-hander Hayden Wesneski on Tuesday, according to Jordan Bastian of MLB.com. The 25-year-old began the 2023 campaign in the Cubs rotation, making eight starts and posting a 5.03 ERA, 1.32 WHIP, and 16.7% strikeout rate across 39.1 innings of work. However, manager David Ross will use Wesneski out of the bullpen this time around, as the club already has a full rotation. The former sixth-round pick can be left on the waiver wire for now, as he likely won't be used in late-inning situations, but fantasy managers can take a chance on him if he happens to rejoin the starting staff.

Chicago Cubs pitcher Hayden Wesneski was on his game in a winning effort over the visiting San Diego Padres on Thursday afternoon. The right-hander hurled five innings of one-run ball while allowing four hits and one walk alongside three strikeouts. The lone damage off the rookie came on a second-inning solo home run from Padres third baseman Manny Machado but that would be the lone extra-base hit he surrendered on the afternoon. It's been an uneven start to the season for Wesneski who allowed 10 runs across his first two starts before settling in and allowing only four across his next two. After allowing just one earned run in his fifth start he'll carry a 5.24 ERA into his next scheduled start against the Nationals in Washington on Tuesday.

Chicago Cubs starting pitcher Hayden Wesneski has been named the fifth-starter heading into Opening Day. He was competing with Adrian Sampson for the final spot in the rotation. The right-hander has been excellent this spring. He's allowed just six runs (four earned) on 13 hits with a 22/6 K/BB ratio across 12 innings. The 25-year-old looked solid during his brief time with the Cubs last season. He posted a 2.18 ERA with 33 strikeouts in 33 innings last season. Wesneski could be worth a look as a late-round option in deep leagues.

Chicago Cubs right-hander Hayden Wesneski is considered the favorite to win the team's fifth rotation spot to open the regular season. Manager David Ross calls the "it factor" for what Wesneski has. Chicago acquired him from the New York Yankees in 2022 for Scott Effross. The 25-year-old stands at 6-foot-3, 215 pounds and could be an X-factor in a rotation that also includes Marcus Stroman, Jameson Taillon, Drew Smyly and Justin Steele. Wesneski is beating out Adrian Sampson by not allowing a run so far in Cactus League play over 8 2/3 innings, striking out 11 and walking two. He looked great in his MLB debut for the Cubs last year (2.18 ERA, 33 K's in 33 innings) and could be worth a look as a late-round flier in deep mixed leagues.