Astros: 1 prospect to call up, 1 veteran to demote

One veteran to demote: RHP Joe Smith

The Astros bullpen has been relatively stout so far this season, but one of its biggest under-performers is veteran Joe Smith. The last time the right-handed pitcher pitched was in 2019, where he posted a terrific 1.80 ERA through 28 games that year. This year has been rough for Smith.

At one point this season, Smith had an ERA of 14.54 after surrendering two earned runs in a 7-2 loss to the Seattle Mariners on Apr. 18.

Through 13 games this campaign, Smith carries a 7.45 ERA and 2.07 WHIP, where he surrendered eight earned runs on 17 hits in 9.2 innings of work. That came after an appearance on Wednesday against the New York Yankees, where he allowed just one hit and no earned runs.

If the Astros want to contend this season, they need their pitching staff as a whole to improve. That is their biggest weakness. With Smith well above 7.00 in the ERA territory, he could very well get demoted in favor of a prospect like Dubin in 2021.