The Houston Astros announced today that they have optioned SP Spencer Arrighetti to Triple-A Sugar Land.
This move would seem to indicate that Arrighetti will be the sixth starter for the team when they move to the expanded rotation in mid-April.
Having Arrighetti pitch in the starting rotation for the Space Cowboys will allow the Astros to keep him stretched out so that he is ready to go 90-100 pitches when he is recalled and they go to the 6-man rotation. They can also make sure he stays on schedule for when they intend to pitch him in the rotation.
Both of those would be much harder to do with him in the Astros bullpen.
The Astros begin a stretch of 13 straight games on April 10.