News - Astros Strengthen Bullpen Depth with Tom Cosgrove Signing

The Houston Astros have officially boosted their bullpen options by signing left-handed pitcher Tom Cosgrove to a minor league deal, as reported by Jon Heyman of The New York Post. Cosgrove, a CAA client, receives a non-roster invitation to spring training camp and stands to earn $900,000 should he secure a spot on the Astros' major league team. Cosgrove, noted for his tenure with the San Diego Padres, found initial success in the majors during his rookie season. In 2023, he made a significant impact by pitching 51 1/3 innings with an impressive 1.75 ERA. However, underlying statistics portrayed a more complex picture, and his exposure in subsequent MLB seasons has been minimal. After returning a high 19 earned runs in just 14 2/3 innings in 2024, the Padres opted to designate him for assignment, ultimately transferring his contract to the Chicago Cubs last April. During his brief stint with the Cubs, Cosgrove managed to highlight his resilient pitching skills in only two appearances, achieving four innings with just one run allowed, three strikeouts, and a single walk. Despite these efforts, the Cubs placed him on waivers in early September, and he concluded his season with a 4.53 ERA over 49 2/3 innings at Triple-A level. Although he showcased the ability to strike out a quarter of the batters he faced, his 13% walk rate posed some challenges. Tailoring his skills to regain control, Cosgrove opted for minor league free agency at the close of the season. In Houston, where the bullpen currently boasts robust left-handed talent with names like Josh Hader set to continue in the late innings, alongside Steven Okert, Bennett Sousa, and rising star Bryan King, Cosgrove's path to an Opening Day roster appears daunting without any major setbacks to the existing players. Nevertheless, acknowledging the distinctive advantage of having additional left-handers who could potentially provide strategic matchups during games, the Astros' decision to invite a seasoned lefty like Cosgrove to their camp indicates a forward-thinking approach to an already formidable bullpen.