Astros' Hayden Wesneski: Takes no-decision versus San Diego
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Wesneski gave up two runs on six hits with four strikeouts and a walk over five innings during Saturday's 3-2 win against the Padres. He did not factor in the decision.
The right-hander exited in line for the loss, but the Astros offense came alive in the sixth and seventh innings to flip the script. Wesneski has allowed three runs or fewer in each of his first four starts of the season, though he has surrendered six long balls. He'll take a 3.91 ERA, 0.87 WHIP and 25:4 K:BB into a matchup with the Royals next weekend.
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Astros' Hayden Wesneski: Strikes out 10 in win
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Wesneski (1-1) allowed three runs on five hits over six innings Sunday, striking out 10 and earning a win over the Angels.
Wesneski picked up his first win as an Astro in a fairly unconventional way. He coughed up three solo home runs and generated only 11 swinging strikes despite the 10 punchouts. It was also his second straight quality start after taking a loss in his season debut. Wesneski is sporting a 4.00 ERA with a 21:3 K:BB through 18 innings. He's currently scheduled to face the Padres at home next weekend.
Wesneski didn't factor into the decision Monday against Seattle after allowing two runs on three hits and no walks in seven innings, striking out five.
Wesneski was excellent Monday, tossing four scoreless innings to open the game before Ryan Bliss tagged him for a two-run homer in the fifth inning. The right-hander then threw two more clean frames thereafter to cap off a strong outing. Although Wesneski has a 3.75 ERA through two starts this year, he holds a superb 0.67 WHIP and 11:3 K:BB over 12.0 innings and should carry plenty of streaming appeal at home against the Angels in his next projected start this weekend.
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Astros' Hayden Wesneski: Hurt by loud contact in loss
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Wesneski (0-1) took the loss after giving up three runs on two hits and three walks in five innings Tuesday against the Giants. He struck out six.
Although he allowed only two hits Tuesday and was able to throw two scoreless innings to open the game, Wesneski yielded two walks to begin the third frame and saw Willy Adames drive them in via a two-run double. Heliot Ramos then belted a leadoff homer to start the fourth inning. The 27-year-old right-hander will look to lower the amount of loud contact in his next scheduled start, which is tentatively set for early next week in Seattle.
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Astros' Hayden Wesneski: Making final tune-up start
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Wesneski (foot) is starting Tuesday's exhibition game against Triple-A Sugar Land.
Wesneski needed X-rays after being struck on the left foot by a comebacker in an appearance in a minor-league game last week, but those tests were negative and he is fine. The right-hander will open the season as the Astros' fifth starter.
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Astros' Hayden Wesneski: Getting X-rays on foot
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Wesneski will undergo X-rays after being struck on the left foot by a comebacker in a minor-league game Thursday, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.
The X-rays seem to be precautionary, as Wesneski was spotted participating in drills Friday. Assuming testing doesn't uncover a more serious issue, the right-hander is slated to open the season as the Astros' fifth starter, an assignment that became more important when Luis Garcia was shut down Thursday after experiencing further soreness in his elbow.
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Astros' Hayden Wesneski: Making push for rotation
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Wesneski has allowed one earned run across 6.1 innings while maintaining an 11:3 K:BB in the Grapefruit League this spring.
Wesneski is a top candidate to begin the season in the Astros' rotation with both Luis Garcia (elbow) and Lance McCullers (forearm) set to begin the season on the injured list. According to Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle, Wesneski has prepped for the role by adding a curveball to his arsenal. The results this spring have been strong, highlighted by his outing Saturday when he struck out five and walked one across 2.1 frames.
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Astros' Hayden Wesneski: Goes to Houston in Tucker trade
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The Astros acquired Wesneski, Isaac Paredes and Cam Smith from the Cubs on Friday in exchange for Kyle Tucker, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.
Wesneski put up a 3.86 ERA, 1.14 WHIP and 67:21 K:BB over 67.2 innings with the Cubs this past season, splitting time between the rotation and bullpen. The Houston native will be stretched out during spring training, but the right-hander's ultimate role next season could depend on what other moves Houston makes this winter, and how far Lance McCullers (forearm) and Luis Garcia (elbow) have progressed in their recoveries.
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Cubs' Hayden Wesneski: Activated from injured list
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The Cubs activated Wesneski (foreram) from the 15-day injured list Friday, Meghan Montemurro of the Chicago Tribune reports.
Wesneski has been sidelined since late July with a right forearm strain but has been cleared to return after making four rehab appearances with Triple-A Iowa. He's pegged for a multi-inning relief role with the Cubs down the stretch.
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Cubs' Hayden Wesneski: Nearing activation
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Wesneski (forearm) began a rehab assignment with Triple-A Iowa on Sept. 6 and has given up three earned runs on seven hits and two walks while striking out seven across five innings over his four appearances.
After throwing two scoreless innings for Iowa on Tuesday, Wesneski could be on the cusp of activation from the 15-day injured list. According to Ryan Herrera of AllCHGO.com, Wesneski was spotted in the Cubs' clubhouse Wednesday, which suggests his rehab assignment has come to an end. Once he's formally reinstated, Wesneski will likely serve as a multi-inning option out of the bullpen.
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Cubs' Hayden Wesneski: Lands on injured list
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The Cubs placed Wesneski on the 15-day injured list Saturday with a right forearm strain, Andy Martinez of Marquee Sports Network reports.
Wesneski pitched 1.1 shutout innings out of the bullpen during Friday's loss to Arizona, though he appears to have come away from his latest appearance with an injury. He'll be held out of action until at least Aug. 4, and the Cubs will recall Hunter Bigge from Triple-A Iowa to fill the opening in their bullpen.
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Cubs' Hayden Wesneski: Crushed by Cards
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Wesneski (3-6) took the loss in the first game of Saturday's doubleheader against the Cardinals, surrendering 11 runs (four earned) on 10 hits and a walk over four innings. He struck out four.
The right-hander's own errors during a nightmarish nine-run first inning prevented more damage to his ERA, but it was still a poor outing for Wesneski at the worst possible time, as it put extra pressure on the Cubs' bullpen ahead of the nightcap. In four starts since rejoining the rotation in late June, he's posted a 5.59 ERA, 1.24 WHIP and 20:6 K:BB in 19.1 innings while serving up five homers, including a three-run blast by Alec Burleson on Saturday.
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Cubs' Hayden Wesneski: Fans seven in no-decision
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Wesneski did not factor into the decision in a loss to the Giants on Wednesday, allowing three runs on two hits and one walk over four innings while striking out seven.
Wesneski got off to a solid start, striking out four of the first six batters he faced before surrendering back-to-back home runs to Michael Conforto and David Villar in the second. The right-hander would go 1-2-3 through the next two innings before being relieved by Drew Smyly to open the fifth, though the former would still finish with his second-highest strikeout total of the season. It also marked Wesneski's longest outing since May 8 against the Padres when he went six innings.
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Cubs' Hayden Wesneski: Takes loss Friday
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Wesneski (2-4) allowed a solo home run in an inning of relief to take the loss Friday against the Cardinals.
Wesneski allowed the first run of the game in the eighth inning, a solo shot by Pedro Pages, then got saddled with the loss as the Cubs got blanked 3-0. Despite the hiccup, the 26-year-old has been solid this season as he's settled into a relief role for Chicago, posting a 2.84 ERA and 34 strikeouts across 38 innings.
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Cubs' Hayden Wesneski: Loses again Thursday
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Wesneski (2-3) allowed a run on one hit across 1.2 innings of relief to take the loss Thursday against Atlanta. He had no walks and struck out two.
Chicago starter Ben Brown tossed four scoreless innings but left with the game tied 0-0. Wesneski took over and promptly allowed a solo home run to Jarred Kelenic, which was enough to get saddled with the loss in what ended up as a 3-0 Atlanta victory. The righty started the season by earning wins in each of his first two appearances, but he's 0-3 across eight outings since then, though he does have a solid 2.55 ERA during that stretch.
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Cubs' Hayden Wesneski: Takes loss in relief Monday
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Wesneski (2-2) allowed two runs on three hits across three innings of relief to take the loss Monday against Atlanta. He walked one and struck out two.
Wesneski had worked as a starter over his last three appearances, compiling a strong 2.20 ERA in the process, but he returned to the bullpen Monday and took over for starter Shota Imanaga, who tossed five scoreless innings. The righty seemed to lose a little sharpness in the relief role as he suffered his second loss of the season. Wesneski may return to the rotation at some point, though he's slated to work as a long reliever for now, which limits his fantasy appeal.
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Cubs' Hayden Wesneski: Suffers first loss Wednesday
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Wesneski (2-1) allowed three runs on seven hits across six innings to take the loss Wednesday against the Padres. He walked one and struck out three.
Wesneski pitched well enough, logging his second straight quality start in the process, but he got no run support in the 3-0 loss. The righty now has a strong 1.59 ERA overall, though it remains to be seen if he'll stick in the rotation moving forward. Justin Steele (hamstring) just returned from the injured list Monday, and Kyle Hendricks (back) could return in the near future, possibly as soon as May 17 following a rehab start over the weekend. For now, Wesneski is slated to start again Tuesday against Atlanta, but he may shift to a long-relief role after that.
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Cubs' Hayden Wesneski: Excellent against Milwaukee
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Wesneski didn't factor into the decision Friday against the Brewers, allowing three hits and two walks over 6.1 scoreless innings. He struck out eight.
Wesneski was dominant, shutting out Milwaukee while matching his career high with eight punchouts. However, the Cubs bullpen couldn't maintain the 1-0 lead Wesneski handed off. The 26-year-old right-hander has allowed just one earned run over 10.1 innings in two starts. Overall, he's 2-0 with a stellar 0.54 ERA, 0.72 WHIP and 14:3 K:BB across 16.2 innings in a swing role this season. While Justin Steele (hamstring), Kyle Hendricks (back) and Jordan Wicks (forearm) are all nearing returns, Wesneski has certainly made a compelling case to remain in Chicago's rotation.
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Cubs' Hayden Wesneski: Another start on tap
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Wesneski is slated to start Friday's series opener against the Brewers in Chicago.
He'll be making his second straight turn through the rotation after Jordan Wicks (forearm) recently joined Kyle Hendricks (back) and Justin Steele (hamstring) on the 15-day injured list. In his first start of the season this past Sunday in Boston, Wesneski gave up two runs (one earned) on five hits and one walk while striking out three over four innings.
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Cubs' Hayden Wesneski: Drawing start Sunday
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Wesneski will start Sunday in Boston in place of the injured Jordan Wicks (forearm), Taylor McGregor of Marquee Sports Network reports.
Wesneski went 2.1 innings and threw 20 pitches in a relief appearance Thursday against the Astros. He hasn't started a game since taking the hill April 12 for Triple-A Iowa, so Wesneski may be on a restricted pitch count Sunday and could struggle to hit the five innings he would need to qualify for the win. The Cubs haven't yet indicated that Wicks will need to miss any additional turns beyond Sunday, but if the lefty is forced to the injured list, Wesneski could end up becoming a fixture in the rotation.