The Houston Astros, amid a flurry of injuries to their pitching staff, have called up pitching prospect Spencer Arrighetti, who will make his major league debut against the Kansas City Royals on Wednesday.

Houston brought up the right-hander from Triple-A Sugar Land to fill in for All-Star left-hander Framber Valdez, who went on the 15-day injured list Tuesday with elbow soreness and inflammation. Arrighetti, a sixth-round draft pick in 2021, was the Astros' Minor League Pitcher of the Year last season.

Valdez on Tuesday joined Justin Verlander, Jose Urquidy, Lance McCullers Jr. and Luis Garcia on the injured list.

"We want to make sure we protect some of these guys," manager Joe Espada said of the other pitchers on the Astros' staff. "Having Arrighetti here will allow us to push everyone back a day and protect our young starters. We're going to need them for a long season."

Arrighetti, who is ranked as the Astros' fourth-best pitching prospect by ESPN MLB Insider Kiley McDaniel, has a 2.16 ERA in two starts at Sugar Land this season. He has struck out 10 batters in eight innings but has walked seven. He started two games in spring training, going 0-1 with a 7.20 ERA in five innings.

Verlander (shoulder) could return next week after another minor league rehab start this weekend, but Urquidy, McCullers and Garcia aren't expected back any time soon.

Valdez was scratched from Monday's start against the Texas Rangers after experiencing soreness and tightness in his forearm. Tests showed inflammation and not a more serious issue -- a relief to Espada.

"We'll see where he's at in a day or two," Espada said. "Once the inflammation goes down, we can get him throwing again."

Field Level Media contributed to this report.