(Photo credit: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images)

One of the foremost challenges facing Houston Astros manager Joe Espada and his injury-strapped roster is utilizing the revolving door of players recalled from the minors or acquired off waivers.

In the opener of a four-game series against the Athletics on Thursday, the Astros started three players who weren't with the team as recently as July 1 -- Jon Singleton, Brice Matthews and Zack Short -- behind a pitcher, Jason Alexander, who began the season with the A's before Houston claimed him off waivers in mid-May.

The Astros, who fell 5-2, will try to bounce back when the series continues Friday night in Houston.

Espada has generated American League Manager of the Year consideration based on how he has handled the roster attrition, a skill derived from his desire to establish a rapport with as many members of the organization as possible.

'Trust starts with conversations and knowing who I am and my expectations as a manager,' Espada said. 'I think that's really helped me be in this position right now and stay calm through this entire process. It hasn't been easy, but it's been fun.'

Rookie Ryan Gusto (6-3, 4.46 ERA) is slated to start for Houston on Friday. The right-hander has made three consecutive relief appearances since his last start, permitting two runs and striking out five across 6 1/3 innings in that span.

In his most recent start, Gusto allowed one run on four hits and one walk with one strikeout over six innings in a 5-1 road win over the Los Angeles Dodgers on July 6. He is 5-3 with a 4.92 ERA in 12 starts this year, 1-0 with a 3.15 ERA in 10 relief outings.

Gusto did not record a decision in his lone appearance against the Athletics. He allowed one run on three hits and one walk with eight strikeouts over five innings in the Astros' 3-1 road loss on June 16.

Left-hander Jeffrey Springs (8-7, 4.18 ERA) has the starting assignment for the Athletics.

He allowed five runs on a season-high nine hits with four strikeouts over four innings in an 8-2 road loss to the Cleveland Guardians on Sunday. It was his shortest outing since he worked two-plus innings in an 11-7 road loss to the Toronto Blue Jays on May 30.

Springs is 1-0 with a 10.80 ERA in two career appearances against the Astros, both in relief. He tossed one perfect inning and was the pitcher of record in a 5-4 win over Houston on May 2, 2021, while with the Tampa Bay Rays.

Athletics rookie Jacob Wilson did not play on Thursday as part of a plan designed to give him occasional days off to lessen his workload. The 23-year-old shortstop was batting .327 before going 0-for-17 over his past four games.

'Like we talked about going forward for the second half, for Jacob, it's really about managing the workload and making sure he stays physically strong,' Athletics manager Mark Kotsay said. 'For Jacob, six (games) in a row, travel, getting in late, I think (Thursday) was the day to give him a blow and let him reboot.'

--Field Level Media