Why Astros-Giants made a trade involving pitcher Kai-Wei Teng originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The Houston Astros called up the San Francisco Giants and came away with an additional right-handed pitcher.

On Thursday, the Astros acquired Kai-Wei Teng from the Giants in exchange for minor league catcher Jancel Villarroel, according to The Athletic.

Teng is 27 years old and could make a run at a starting pitching gig in 2026. More likely, he has a chance to make the Astros' roster as a long reliever.

He has made just 12 appearances in the big leagues over the last two years, but he has a 7.30 ERA in MLB in that span.

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He did have a 3.95 ERA at Triple-A Sacramento in 2025.

Teng's stuff is legit, with a six-pitch mix that leads to a lot of strikeouts -- 89 of them in 57 innings at Triple-A last season.

He has walked 25 guys in 40.2 innings at the MLB level, which is part of the problem.

Teng is from Taiwan, but his status for the World Baseball Classic is not yet known.

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In return, the Giants got the 21-year old Venezuelan catcher Villarroel.

He played up to High-A Asheville in 2025, putting up a .699 OPS in a small-sample size at that level after a .746 OPS at Single-A.

Villarroel was ranked 20th in the Astros' system by Baseball America.

It could be a deal that doesn't amount for much, but Houston clearly wanted more pitching depth, and the Giants got something in return for a player they may not have kept around much longer.

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