The Astros are expected to get lineup reinforcements during their upcoming series in Anaheim, as outfielders Michael Brantley and Chas McCormick could both be back as early as Monday, according to MLB.com. While the pair were on the shelf, the club has relied on Jake Meyers and Corey Julks to fill in alongside Kyle Tucker and Yordan Alvarez in Houston’s outfield mix. Meyers has been a solid stopgap option with a 104 wRC+ in 93 trips to the plate and excellent defense in center field, but Julks has struggled to an 80 wRC+ with a 27.6% strikeout rate in 87 plate appearances.
Of course, Brantley also did some work at first base during his rehab stint, so the Astros could be looking at the veteran as a possible complement to the struggling Jose Abreu. Brantley (who turns 36 next week) hasn’t played since June 26 due to shoulder problems that eventually required surgery in August, and thus Brantley missed out on the Astros’ World Series run.
Houston general manager Dana Brown discussed several injury situations during a radio interview on SportsTalk 790 (hat tip to MLB.com’s Brian McTaggart), and noted that “McCormick is maybe a day ahead of” Brantley, so McCormick is the surer bet to be activated from the injured list during the Angels series. While McCormick doesn’t have Brantley’s lengthy track record of offense, he was off to a phenomenal start this season prior to being sidelined by a back injury, with a .275/.383/.500 slash line in 11 games.
Jose Altuve continues to make excellent progress in his recovery from thumb surgery, as the eight-time All-Star has progressed to both taking batting practice on the field and running the bases. After Altuve underwent his surgery in late March, it was initially expected to take at least eight weeks before the second baseman could even resume baseball activities, so he is already a few weeks ahead of schedule. Brown said that Altuve might even begin a minor league rehab assignment within the week, so that original late-May date might now be a more feasible target for Altuve’s return to the Astros lineup altogether.
The news isn’t as good about Jose Urquidy, as Brown said (Twitter links from McTaggart) “there’s a chance we could get him back somewhere around the All-Star break.” This represents a step back from some seemingly more positive reports from earlier this week, which suggested that Urquidy would be shut down from throwing until mid-May but could potentially return by early June. The right-hander was placed on the 15-day IL on May 1 with shoulder discomfort, though Urquidy has apparently avoided any structural damage since an MRI only revealed inflammation.
Still, Brown’s comments indicate a much longer absence is in store for Urquidy, as even the All-Star break might be more of a fluid target date than a firm timeline. It hasn’t been a banner week for Astros pitching, as Urquidy went to the IL and Luis Garcia was lost for the season entirely due to Tommy John surgery. With a rotation now thinned out, Brown noted that the Astros may have to rely on internal arms for now, given that the starting pitching market won’t really materialize until much closer to the trade deadline.
Brandon Bielak and rookie J.P. France have filled in for Urquidy and Garcia, joining Framber Valdez, Cristian Javier, and rookie Hunter Brown in the starting five. Lance McCullers Jr. is also still a ways away from returning, though he did throw a full bullpen session on Saturday. McCullers has yet to pitch this season after suffering a muscle strain in his right arm during Spring Training.
Altuve makes progress in the rehabilitation of his physical ailments, but not from the ailments plaguing his character and honour. A scumbag at the core who has chosen to defraud those around him, both fans and opponents. Rather than showing true contrition, admitting what really happened, and accepting the consequences of his dishonour, he is more than happy to live a lie in order to keep his career and the paycheques coming.
His life is a fiction.
Ouch!
You clearly don’t know Altuve.
You need to share whatever you are smoking.
Why so harsh on Altoove, he no bad dude, he just shy
dougdeb@
Well spoken! Asstro fans trying to defend these cheaters is hilarious.
Who are the Asstros? A new MLB team? You salty Astros haters are funny, inventing new teams like that.
Imagine being this mad on the internet…
Feeling better?
I’d hate to be your dog and bear the brunt of your personality and your boot
It’s been 6 years, you sound like a baby
6 years still guilty
Clearly basing your conclusions on some fantasy world you live in. Jose Altuve – as most players around the league will testify – is one of the most upstanding characters in baseball today. Of those Astros who have talked about the sign-stealing scandal (which, BTW, if you’re an MLB fan of any team, it most likely also happened with your team, too), there is a single common thread – Altuve refused to use the sign stealing system. Your imaginary “buzzer” is just that – already proven to simply be ticker tape sticking to him as he came around the bases. It seems you’re the one more than happy to live with lies.
He’s not upstanding, he’s just shy. Nothing to hide here just a satellite dish- move along
Ticker tape on him because he had just been in a parade with Neil Armstrong and Charles Lindbergh and given how most players around the league will testify that he is one of the most upstanding characters in baseball today he is the most universally adored player in New York
You should get outside more often.
You must be still holding a grudge against the 1920 White Sox
Jose Abreu is DONE.
Abreu was an Astros culture signing. His money is for maybe-okay-baseball, but yes-definitely-great-bench-character.
They are in era transition. Very tricky to pull off. Young guys taking over all over need over the top professionals to teach/show them how to get over themselves and just play ball, over and over, 162.
Should have kept Yuli Gurriel. He is out-producing Abreu so far with the Marlins at a fraction of what the Astros are paying Abreu
Guess even the ‘Stros FO can win some, lose some. Learn something new all the time. In the meantime, makes things a little interesting for the rest of the league.
Yeah Yuli, great for the clubhouse. Does some nice impressions of Asians to lively up the dugout. They miss his sparkle
Most fans agree it’s Astros FO and Astros FU
Yuli is playing once a week. Look an Yuli’s numbers last year at this time (roughly same PA). As bad as Abreu has been he was better than Yuli.
Bregman is done
I still believe he can turn it around. Probably never a MVP candidate again but would be surprised if he’s not at least league average by end of season
I don’t doubt you, but “league average” for an older, slower player with only one tool and making roughly 18 million a year, is pretty bad. Houston usually does a fairly good job on personnel, but signing Abreu & resigning Brantley is a swing and a miss.
Agreed Abreu will have a very difficult time making the value of his contract, at least this year with the start he’s had. Brantley is still a complete toss up
Abreu is a notoriously slow starter. The lack of power is a concern, but he will return to form driving in runs by June..
Yeah he’ll probably go off against the White Sox and not look back. He usually heats up against a Chicago club in Mid May
When McCormick is back they need to send Julks down and when Brantley returns they need to do the same with David Hensley.
The news regarding Urquidy is concerning, especially since that means Bielak would probably keep the 5 spot in the rotation.
Nothing against the guy personally, but hitters are averaging 99.5 mph exit velocity against him in a small sample size thus far. He also hasn’t displayed any sort of control over his stuff, which is dangerous when your averaging only 93 mph with your fastball.
And it doesn’t look like there will be any quality reinforcements waiting in the wing, as Whitley and the other starters in Triple A haven’t looked good early on this season.
Bielak is a spot/emergency starter. He’s not going to make many starts.
Bielak was not so hot today.
If Chas returns Monday Salazar and Bannon could be one of the ones to go out. They are really not needed.
Bielak could be replacement for Garcia. But who knows. If goes another start could be first or second game in Chicago.
Julks has struggled but could be moved to bench if Brantley goes to LF. I still see him taking time at first. Abreu needs to ramp it up. His 3 year deal Bagwell and Crane so hot to get him. Do not know the plan for JP if was just the one start. Whether Whitley ever gets a shot. Could they slot Blanco in. He was sent down am sure to get more work. I hate Julks has cooled. But even will Dierden be up this season. Isn’t that Drew guy in the minors still on a fast track or has he cooled. I think he is outfield. Just a lot to look at but will be hard. Altuve will be back and where will he slot. Dubon has looked good at the top. Bregman third and Yordan. Tucker, Pena and Brantley next three in some order and Chas or Meyers and Maldy or Diaz.
I would not know if Astros could make any deals or not. I know left Abreu out but Dubon deserves to be in line up. Jake too. Just wonder what will do.
All I know is that the Texas Rangers are for real this season. If they can get Seager & deGrom back, they can really open up a big lead over the rest of the AL West teams. Even if Altuve & Brantley come back and Abreu starts hitting again, the Houston pitching staff is decimated with injuries and they have already called up their best options from the minors. If one more starter goes down, Houston is in a lot of trouble. They could end up finishing 3rd or even 4th in that division depending on how Seattle & Anaheim hold it together. Texas is my pick to win the AL West by at least 5 games.
Hahaha. You could not have written that with a straight face. It’s only a matter of time before Houston overtakes Texas. Texas finishes 10+ back of Houston.
Bregman and Hensley both in the lineup. Both can’t hit a ball off a tee.