The Houston Astros are acquiring right-hander Mike Burrows from the Pittsburgh Pirates in a three-team trade with the Tampa Bay Rays, multiple league sources told The Athletic on Friday. The Astros will send outfielder Jacob Melton and right-hander Anderson Brito to Tampa Bay to complete the deal.

Infielder Brandon Lowe, outfielder Jake Mangum and left-hander Mason Montgomery will head from Tampa to Pittsburgh if physicals are passed. The trade provides Houston short-term rotation stability and a cost-controlled starter through 2031.

Burrows, 26, finished his first season with significant major-league experience posting a 3.94 ERA and 1.24 WHIP over 96 innings. He appeared in the 2022 MLB Futures Game and ranked as Pittsburgh's No. 7 prospect before last season, according to The Athletic's Keith Law.

The acquisition addresses Houston's depleted rotation following the expected free agency departure of Framber Valdez. Hunter Brown will be the only returning pitcher who threw at least 100 major-league innings last season, accentuating the Astros' need for help.

Burrows will slot behind Cy Young Award finalist Hunter Brown in Houston's revamped rotation. The Astros have monitored their proximity to the luxury tax threshold, making a Valdez reunion or similar free-agent signing unfeasible.

Houston already saved an estimated $15.8 million by trading Mauricio Dubon to Atlanta and cutting ties with Chas McCormick, Ramon Urias and injured pitcher Luis Garcia. Low-cost additions of Nate Pearson and Ryan Weiss will compete for rotation spots.

Lowe, an All-Star and free agent next winter, could boost Pittsburgh's offensively-challenged lineup. The Pirates previously used their surplus of starting pitching to acquire outfield prospect Jhostynxon Garcia from the Boston Red Sox.

Tampa Bay has long coveted Melton and expressed interest in Brito during conversations at the Winter Meetings. The Rays showed Houston native Shane Baz to the Astros during trade discussions before ultimately acquiring the two prospects instead.