J.P. France

The team plans to utilize a six-man rotation during the next stretch of games, but there are only five experienced starters on the 40-man.

Even with Justin Verlander close to rejoining the major league rotation, the Astros must find a way to fill innings.

Both pitchers pitched more innings than ever before in 2023 and faced a shorter offseason after the Astros' postseason run.

Astros outfielder Kyle Tucker sometimes hit barehanded. Then MLB's pitch clock encroached on his routine, so he switched to batting gloves.

“We’ve had conversations and we’re thinking about it,” GM Dana Brown said of promoting Singleton, and a move could be coming soon.

The Astros got a strong outing Monday from J.P. France, but they need more of that throughout their rotation going forward.

“The thing about those guys is they have a different kind of hunger and drive," said former Astros scout Travis Coleman.

The two Astros rookies might have some regression in their futures, but so far they've been viable rotation pieces, offering real stability.

“I had my bag out and I was packing up,” France said. “It was just not good."