New Toronto Blue Jays pitcher sounds really sad to leave Houston
For the first time in his major-league career, Spencer Arrighetti will pitch somewhere other than home.
The Toronto Blue Jays acquired the right-handed starting pitcher from the Houston Astros at Monday's MLB trade deadline in exchange for outfielder Daulton Varsho.
The trade ended Arrighetti's time with the only organization he's ever known – and it has been very emotional for the 26-year-old.
Arrighetti grew up just outside of Houston in Katy, Texas and had the rare opportunity to begin his MLB career with his hometown team. Before the trade, he lived only about 20 minutes from Daikin Park, where friends and family were able to watch every one of his starts.
"I had this bubble of supreme comfort," Arrighetti told reporters after the trade. "My family had the luxury of being at every game I pitched here... that's the hardest part."
He told reporters on Tuesday that he envisioned Houston as home and thought it would be the place he'd settle down and raise a family.
"Houston will always be home. I was a fan of the Astros before they drafted me, and I'll continue to be a fan after the fact," Arrighetti said.
"There's going to be separation anxiety, but I'm excited to represent an entire country."
The trade came as a surprise to Arrighetti after he had been a key piece of Houston's starting rotation before his injury. He even earned American League Pitcher of the Month honours in May.
Now he'll join a loaded Blue Jays starting rotation featuring Dylan Cease, Trey Yesavage, Shane Bieber, Max Scherzer and fellow deadline acquisition José Soriano.
Blue Jays fans will have to wait a little longer to see Arrighetti make his debut. He's currently on the 15-day injured list with right foot nerve irritation and is expected to return sometime in mid-August.
Toronto will also have plenty of time to see Arrighetti's potential, as he remains under team control through the end of the 2029 season.
Erik Williams/Imagn Images
