​What happened to Mike Burrows? Why Astros placed recently demoted starter on IL originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.The Houston Astros have nullified a minor league option after learning that one of their right-handed starting pitchers has an injury.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementAccording to The Athletic’s Chandler Rome, Mike Burrows, recently demoted to Triple-A Sugar Land, was placed on the 15-day IL with right elbow neuritis.”The Astros offered no timetable for Burrows’ return or other specifics about the injury,” Rome wrote. “According to the Florida Orthopedic Institute, neuritis can be inflammation or compression of the ulnar nerve.”Burrows was demoted to Triple-A last Tuesday.After an offseason three-team trade involving the Pittsburgh Pirates and Tampa Bay Rays, his results on the mound have not been what the Astros hoped for.In 18 outings, including 17 starts, he owns a 5.99 ERA with 21 home runs allowed in 94.2 innings.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisement”Burrows’ situation has some parallels to that of Kai-Wei Teng, another of Brown’s offseason acquisitions who required a minor-league demotion last month,” Rome added. “Teng’s option to Triple-A was nullified after the Astros learned he suffered a right knee sprain.MORE: What happened to Shohei Ohtani? Why Dodgers star won’t pitch tonight, or play in All-Star Game”Teng, like Burrows, seemed on pace to shatter his career high in innings pitched,” Rome wrote. “Manager Joe Espada said the team demoted Teng, in part, to conserve his innings.”In all likelihood, Burrows will return to Triple-A when he recovers from his injury.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementHis struggles could lead the Astros to target at least one starter at this year’s trade deadline.Cubs ‘realistic’ trade idea sends Seiya Suzuki to the Mariners for Luis CastilloPhillies trade idea lands Jung Hoo Lee and Robbie Ray from Giants for 2 prospectsYankees trade idea sends Carlos Lagrange to Athletics for utilityman Zack GelofWhat did Blue Jays get for Tommy Nance? Twins send .855 OPS catcher prospect in tradeCardinals sign JJ Wetherholt to eight-year, $112.5 million contract extension