The Astros have been without outfielder Michael Brantley for most of the past week due to soreness, which according to manager Dusty Baker (as relayed by The Athletic’s Chandler Rome) is “mostly” in his surgically repaired shoulder. That’s troublesome news for Houston, as the veteran outfielder has played in just 12 games since he was shut down for shoulder surgery last summer. That Brantley’s been forced off the field by his ailing shoulder once again raises questions as the Astros gear up to defend their title as the reigning World Series champions this fall, though it’s at least somewhat encouraging that the club hasn’t yet elected to place him on the injured list.
Brantley’s absence would normally be expected to allow Yordan Alvarez to move into left field, freeing up the DH spot for a bat like rookie catcher Yainer Diaz. Things aren’t quite that simple, however, as Alvarez is dealing with injury issues of his own. The slugger told reporters, including MLB.com’s Brian McTaggart, recently that he hasn’t been able to play the field recently after “feeling something” in his elbow earlier in the month while swinging the bat. The incident has left the Astros acting cautiously with their superstar slugger, who has slashed .293/.410/.578 in 106 games with the club this year. While Rome notes that Alvarez was taking fly balls and throwing in the outfield before today’s game, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle relayed yesterday that Baker is still trying to avoid using Alvarez in the outfield during games.
With Brantley unavailable and Alvarez seemingly restricted to DH, the club figures to rely on the services of Jake Meyers and Mauricio Dubon in the outfield for the time being. With Kyle Tucker entrenched in right field on an everyday bases and both Meyers and Dubon grading out as solid center fielders defensively, the unfortunate injury situation with Brantley and Alvarez has nonetheless allowed the Astros to improve their outfield defense by moving Chas McCormick into left field rather than utilizing him in center.
More from the AL West…
- Angels left-hander Tyler Anderson saw his season come to an end today, as the club placed him on the 15-day IL with left knee soreness (as noted by MLB.com’s Rhett Bollinger) following today’s game against the Twins. Anderson was poised to start tomorrow’s game for Anaheim, though no replacement starter has been announced to this point. Anderson’s first year with the Angels was a difficult one, as the lefty posted a 5.43 ERA and 4.93 FIP in 141 innings of work. Anderson signed a three-year, $39MM deal with the club early last offseason after posting a fantastic season in 2022 with the Dodgers.
- Sticking with the Angels, Bollinger also relays that third baseman Anthony Rendon isn’t expected to return from the injured list this season, according to club manager Phil Nevin. 2023 will go down as yet another injury-marred campaign for the veteran third baseman, who has been on the shelf since early July with a shin injury and has played just 148 games since the start of the 2021 campaign. Rendon, who slashed .236/.361/.318 with a wRC+ of 95 in 183 trips to the plate this year, has three years and roughly $116MM left on his contract with the club headed into 2024.
- The Mariners have been without catcher Tom Murphy for over a month due to a thumb fracture and was shut down from baseball activity earlier in September due to the issue. While that diagnosis put the remainder of his 2023 in doubt, it’s possible that there’s reason for optimism regarding Murphy’s ability to return this year, at least in the event that Seattle makes it to the postseason. MLB.com notes that Murphy was poised to undergo an MRI yesterday to determine whether he could resume baseball activities, though no update has been provided regarding the catcher’s status at this point. Murphy’s hit exceptionally well in a back-up role this year behind Cal Raleigh, with a .290/.335/.538 slash line in 159 trips to the plate this year. The club has recently been relying on Luis Torrens as their second catcher in Murphy’s absence.
prov356
ahhhh Rendon.
davengmusic
Thought it was LOLrendon
prov356
Nah, I can’t even laugh about it anymore.
solaris602
Let’s hope for a healthy 2024 and a fresh start for Anthony as some (not many) are prone to blow smoke up their backsides. This guy is gonna be mostly on the IL for the remainder of his contract, and everyone knows it in their heart of hearts. I’m gonna look for a photo of what $36M in cash burning looks like.
SashaBanksFan
I think you answered your own question. Just find a photo of Rendon.
nosake
I haven’t even noticed him riding the bench in recent memory.
MPrck
Wow, Brantley won the pay year a million per game. The good news for Houston is they did okay with Abreu.
solaris602
Those of us who went through his first round of shoulder issues in CLE knew early this year he was not gonna factor into the Astros fortunes much at all. Don’t make the mistake of bringing him back again thinking those problems are behind him. Move on, HOU.
TradeAcuna
If the Astros don’t do much the rest of the way, Yordan Alvarez will be a great trade piece for them to replenish and retool the team.
jjd002
Why would they trade Alvarez?
CamFrost
They recently gave him an extension. Why in the world would they trade him?
Jack Buckley
Pretty sure Angels are jinxed with Angels, if I was a free agent, Anaheim would be the last place I would go
BaseballisLife
That’s 35 different players to hit the IL from the Angels.
Birdieman2
Rendon was never coming back this year, but he’s still cashing those checks!
Logistics Guy
I wonder If the New York Yankees would trade G.S. to LAA for Rendon
Just Asking
Ejemp2006
Stanton is way overpaid, but he still produces. Rendon has been reportedly exaggerating his injuries in order to deliberately avoid playing. No one would trade for Rendon, especially if they had to give up a legit homerun hitting MLB asset.
The Angels would need to attach their best prospects to Rendon just to clear the books of what might go down as a top ten all time disaster of a free agent contract.
baseballteam
Instead of describing him as “third baseman Anthony Rendon” maybe “freeloader Anthony Rendon” would be more accurate.
unpaidobserver
“Clubhouse Kato Kaelin” Anthony Rendon
HalosHeavenJJ
I expected Anderson to regress to a middle of tte rotation guy. 3 or 4 type. He’s been mostly horrible.
The only effort Rendon showed this year was against fans and the media.
goastros123
Rendon is a great example of how bad of an owner Moreno is. Angels fans deserve better.
Ejemp2006
At least Moreno spends money and tries to win. Would you still complain if he gives Ohtani 500 million to stay?
HalosHeavenJJ
Arte spends money on free agents.
The guys really trying to win also spend money on scouting, development, coaching, training staffs, and training equipment.
The Angels have been bottom of the barrel in all of those regards under Arte. Perry has finally talked him into coming closer to league average salaries for minor league coaches.
User 2079935927
I’m sure a lot of us Angel fan were happy when Rendon signed. I know I was.This is what I hate about social media. The cess pool of hate that it is . If Rendon wasn’t making the coin that he’s making no one wouldn’t be throwing all this hatred toward him obviously. But sheesh man enough is enough. The dude had a broken leg.
prov356
My impression is Anderson was always a middle guy with one season of spark and he has now regressed to a bottom rotation guy.
HalosHeavenJJ
Yeah. $13 million per year is in line with a solid 4 type guy. I think that was a reasonable expectation.
aragon
He has ‘amassed’ 0.2 war by Baseball Reference. Not sure how he deserves $13 mil and $26 mil next 2 seasons.
solaris602
All anyone needs to know about Anderson is LAD got the best this guy is ever gonna be last year. Cinderella turned back into a pumpkin, and the fact the Dodgers made no effort to bring him back says it all.
aragon
Terrible career. And one year wonder with the Dodgers and Minasian fell for him. A happening all so familiar when Arte hires inexperienced and unqualified GMs.
prov356
The Angels hang on to “one year wonders” all the time for way too long hoping for a bounce back to a momentary high point in an otherwise mediocre career.
cencal
At least with some of these horrible deals (Strasburg, Stanton) it at least appears they want to play and be better.
Rendon just oozes lazy and has no interest in playing the game.
So glad the Dodgers were saved from themselves by him not wanting the “Hollywood lifestyle”.
all in the suit that you wear
The Astros can’t seem to beat the Royals. Not sure how many in a row they have lost, but it is at least 4 and they are losing at the moment.
In Seager/Hader We Trust > the 70 MM DH Ohtani
An article about the AL West without reference to the team that will win the West (Texas Rangers)??? Seems odd
Gwynning
Sometimes no news is good news!
Ejemp2006
This site has been ignoring the Rangers and Seager almost all year.
In Seager/Hader We Trust > the 70 MM DH Ohtani
I’m not sure why that Cubs’ fan running this site hates the Rangers so much. Even MLB.com and Jon Heyman (of all thr people) are at least man enough to admit they were wrong. I wonder if this will continue if Texas wins the World Series. Seager has been thrown together with Semien in all the credit. No mention of his OPS being higher than A Rod’s in his peak this year…
jjd002
The only reason Houston hasn’t clinched is they have a terrible manager.
Ignorant Son-of-a-b
That’s a shame about Rendon, such a nice guy too….
aragon
The Angels have to get a top 5 draft slot to bring in a future ace.
And the Mariners lost! Again!
Angels & NL West
I feel like a 63 yo Cal Ripken Jr could still play more games than Rendon.
M.C.Homer
And Nolan Ryan could probably still pitch better than these Angels…
texgal01
Astros are done for season. Will be swept by KC on Sunday. So let Brantley sit on bench and watch dreams face. No chance they get division now. Lucky as well on WC. Seattle or Toronto. Seattle will send ASTROS packing next series. Astros clearly will have outfield, pitching and catching and bullpen to look at. As well new manager and coaching staff
lee cousins
Nothing on the game tonight?
dh4all
Big difference between bone bruise and broken bone. Too bad the Angels didn’t catch that earlier, Rendon could have been healed by now. The Angels Trainers and Doctors seem to have a terminal problem.when it comes to keeping their team healthy. Try not to break your players (like Shohei) and give them the professional care they need to stay healthy for one season.
lee cousins
Nothing to say unless it’s Redon?