STONE COLD 'STROS
How latest updates on Astros players will impact competitive landscape
Jul 12, 2024, 12:47 pm
Here we go again. Composite Getty Image.
With both Luis Garcia and Lance McCullers making their way back from surgeries that sideline that Astros pitchers last season, and given the team's thin depth in their starting rotation, Houston fans and media have waited on bated breath for scraps of information to leak out of the notoriously secretive organization regarding their progress.
In a week full of mostly Hurricane Beryl-related bad news, the Astros organization had some discouraging news of their own when manager Joe Espada told the media that Lance McCullers has been shut down from pitching after his arm did not respond well to his latest bullpen session. The team says they are "formulating a plan for what's next."
Another Astros starter making his way back from injury is HOF-bound Justin Verlander. Verlander has been on the IL since June 16th with neck discomfort and, while there was initial hope that JV would only miss a start, his status has become increasingly murky as he is still apparently not close to returning.
Shifting from the health questions of the starters to the performance questions of the bullpen, some Houston fans have voiced concern via social media that Astros big-ticket 9th inning pitcher Josh Hader is not looking like a "shut-down" closer. Hader gave up more home runs in the first week of July (3) as he did the entire month of June (2).
In this week's episode of Stone Cold Stros, Charlie Pallilo and Brandon Strange discuss how the fluid dynamics of Astros pitching is impacting the competitive landscape of the division race. To watch the conversation, just click the video YouTube embedded in this article. To listen to the entire episode on podcast, search "Stone Cold Stros" in your favorite podcast app or click one of the following links.
How Astros can look to silver lining solutions coming out of the Break
Jul 14, 2025, 3:49 pm
Cristian Javier and Luis Garcia are back on the mound, but can they actually help the Houston Astros this season?
Javier made his first rehab start in the Florida Complex League (FCL), his first appearance since undergoing Tommy John surgery, and the results weren’t promising.
He struck out two but gave up three runs and reported some elbow soreness afterward. He’s expected to use his full 30-day rehab window.
Meanwhile, Luis Garcia had a slightly better outing, striking out four in his own FCL appearance. But with the Astros dealing with a wave of long-term pitching injuries, fans are left wondering: Are these arms just rusty, or not ready at all?
Be sure to watch the video below as ESPN Houston's John Granato and Lance Zierlein break down both pitchers’ status, what their timelines look like, and whether Astros fans should have hope or concerns about their returns.
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