The Houston Astros have called up right-handed pitcher Shawn Dubin from Triple-A Sugar Land, according to a report by Brian McTaggart of MLB.com. This move provides the Astros with additional depth in their bullpen as the team heads into the final stretch of the season.
Dubin, 29, has spent a portion of the 2024 season bouncing between the Astros’ major league roster and their Triple-A affiliate. In his time with Houston this year, he has pitched 43.1 innings, recording a 4.15 ERA. Over those innings, Dubin has struck out 45 batters while walking 26, showcasing his ability to generate swings and misses but also highlighting some control issues.
By bringing Dubin back to the major league bullpen, the Astros gain a fresh arm, which is especially valuable as the team manages its workload during the season’s final weeks. Bullpen fatigue can become a concern late in the year, particularly for teams contending for playoff positioning, and having reliable reinforcements like Dubin helps alleviate that pressure.
Though Dubin’s overall numbers with the Astros this season have been modest, his ability to pitch multiple innings out of the bullpen gives the team flexibility. He can be utilized in various situations, including long relief or middle-inning matchups, allowing the Astros to preserve their high-leverage relievers for late-game situations.
Dubin’s journey through the Astros’ system has been steady, and this latest call-up offers him another opportunity to make an impact at the major league level. His mix of strikeouts and struggles with command could determine how much of a role he plays down the stretch, but he remains a useful option for the Astros as they aim to close out the regular season on a strong note.
As the Astros continue to compete for postseason positioning, every arm in the bullpen matters, and Dubin’s return gives the team more depth as they navigate the challenges of the season’s final weeks.