ANSWERING THE CALL?
Deshaun Watson met with Texans HC David Culley, per sources
Feb 25, 2021, 2:45 pm
A step in the right direction? Composite image by Jack Brame.
ESPN's Dan Graziano is reporting that he's hearing from his sources that Deshaun Watson met with Texans HC David Culley last Friday.
Per sources, Texans QB Deshaun Watson met with new Texans head coach David Culley last Friday. In that meeting Watson reiterated that he wants to be traded and told Culley he has no intention of playing for the Texans again. No change from Watson's end. He remains dug in.
— Dan Graziano (@DanGrazianoESPN) February 25, 2021
Unfortunately for Texans fans, Watson appears dug in telling Culley that nothing has changed, and he won't be playing for the Texans again. On one hand, it's nice to hear that Watson has at least opened the line of communication with the team's new coach, but it hasn't changed anything for Watson. SI's Albert Breer early in the week discussed GM Nick Caserio's decision to hire Culley, believing that the team needed a "unifier" in the head coach position. With the idea being, the way Belichick runs a team doesn't have much success these days outside of New England.
Which makes sense if you think about it. Players are willing to put up with a lot more if the team is consistently winning football games. And the Texans aren't likely to win a lot of games this year whether Watson stays or not. The defense needs a complete rebuild and that won't get fixed in one offseason. Regardless, Watson and the Texans don't seem any closer to mending fences, or agreeing that it's time to part ways with the Texans reportedly refusing to listen to trade offers for their quarterback.
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Astros show signs of life in blowout win over Brewers
May 7, 2025, 3:25 pm
Houston Astros slugger Yordan Alvarez has a strained muscle at the top of his right hand, a diagnosis that instills optimism he won’t have a prolonged stay on the injured list.
The three-time All-Star went on the 10-day injured list Monday, retroactive to Saturday, and returned to Houston for an MRI that revealed the muscle strain.
“We look at it as good news,” Astros manager Joe Espada said before their Wednesday afternoon game with the Milwaukee Brewers.
Espada expressed hope that Alvarez wouldn’t have to stay on the injured list longer than the required 10 days. He also said the hand issue may have played a role in Alvarez’s slow start.
Alvarez, 27, is hitting .210 with a .306 on-base percentage, three homers and 18 RBIs in 29 games this season. He batted .308 with a .392 on-base percentage, 35 homers and 86 RBIs in 147 games last year while ranking ninth in the AL Most Valuable Player balloting.
He has posted an OPS of at least .959 and has finished 13th or higher in the MVP voting each of the last three seasons.
“Once he heals, once he gets back, I think we’ll see a more aggressive at bat and be not as cautious,” Espada said. “I think it had something to do with it, yes.”
His potential return could go a long way toward boosting an Astros lineup that hasn’t been as productive as usual this season. The Astros entered Wednesday’s action ranked 21st in the majors in runs (136) and 23rd in OPS (.676). Houston has ranked 11th or better in both those categories each of the last four seasons.