Astros Rehire Brent Strom as Pitching Consultant

The Houston Astros have announced the return of Brent Strom as a pitching consultant for the remainder of the season. This decision was revealed by Astros manager Joe Espada, who indicated that Strom will join the team in Queens for their upcoming series against the Mets.

Strom, 77, previously served as the Astros' pitching coach from 2014 to 2021, during which time the team achieved notable success, including strong performances from pitchers like Dallas Keuchel and Justin Verlander. After leaving the Astros, he spent three seasons with the Diamondbacks and was an assistant pitching coach for the Pirates last year.

This season, the Astros' pitching staff has struggled, with a 5.17 ERA, ranking among the worst in Major League Baseball. The team's recent challenges contributed to the dismissal of GM Dana Brown. Despite these issues, the Astros currently hold a slight lead over Texas in the AL West with a 66-67 record.