How latest reports abruptly shift Houston Astros rotation x-factors
CHANGE OF PLAN
19 March 2024
CHANGE OF PLAN
Astros pitcher Jose Urquidy made a lot of fans nervous on Friday when he exited his spring training start after just 43 pitches. Elbow pain reportedly was what cut his start short. Urquidy was then sent back to Houston for further evaluation.
Astros manager Joe Espada gave an injury update on Monday. According to MLB.com's Brian McTaggart, Urquidy is dealing with a forearm muscle strain and will likely begin the season on IL.
Editor's note: The article and video were published before Blake Snell signed with the Giants on Monday night.
Houston had already been reported to have interest in signing free agent pitcher Blake Snell in recent days, according to The Athletic's Chandler Rome.
The Astros are pursuing Blake Snell, sources tell @Ken_Rosenthal and me - https://t.co/Yean488qtK
— Chandler Rome (@Chandler_Rome) March 15, 2024
But USA Today's Bob Nightengale reported over the weekend the Astros now appear to be a “long-shot” to sign him. He's looking for a 2-year, $66 million deal and with a player option for year two.
A contract like this would put the Astros over the second tax-threshold. Not to mention he turned down the Padres qualifying offer as did closer Josh Hader. Which means the Astros would have to send two draft picks to San Diego if they sign Snell.
But if owner Jim Crane decides to pass on Snell, we're looking at a starting rotation of Framber Valdez, Cristian Javier, Hunter Brown, JP France, Ronel Blanco, and possibly Brandon Bielak if they opt for a 6-man rotation.
So what should the Astros do? Throw caution to the wind and sign Snell, or hope they get their guys back healthy sooner rather than later?
It's important to keep in perspective that the Yankees have several injuries to their rotation as well. Opening Day will be a matchup between Nestor Cortes and Framber Valdez. Not Gerrit Cole vs.Justin Verlander, like we once expected.
Be sure to watch the video above as we break down the rotation, all the Astros other options, and much more!
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José Soriano and two relievers combined for a two-hitter and Oswald Peraza hit his first home run since a trade from the Yankees to lead the Los Angeles Angels to a 3-0 win over the Houston Astros on Sunday.
Soriano (10-9) allowed one hit and struck out eight in seven innings. Luis García allowed one hit in a scoreless eighth and Kenley Jansen threw a perfect ninth for his 25th save.
There were two outs in the fifth when Peraza connected off Hunter Brown (10-7) into the bullpen in right-center field to put the Angels up 1-0. His homer comes after his two-run single in the ninth inning Saturday helped Los Angeles to a 4-1 victory that snapped a three-game skid.
Yoan Moncada walked to start the eighth and scored on Mike Trout’s double that bounced off the wall in center field to make it 2-0. Taylor Ward walked before Luis Rengifo reached and Trout scored on an error by Lance McCullers Jr. when the pitcher overthrew first base.
Yordan Alvarez singled with no outs in the first and Soriano walked a batter in the second and sixth innings. The Astros didn’t get another hit until Ramón Urías doubled with one out in the eighth inning. Los Angeles outfielder Taylor Ward was injured trying to make a catch on that hit when he crashed face-first into the metal scoreboard in left field.
He was carted off the field holding a towel to the right side of his face. He was taken to a hospital by ambulance where interim manager Ray Montgomery said he would receive stitches to close the cut and be evaluated.
Brown allowed three hits and a run with five strikeouts in six innings. McCullers Jr. allowed three hits and two runs in his first relief appearance since 2018.
The home run by Peraza.
It’s the fifth time the Astros have been shut out this month.
LHP Yusei Kikuchi (6-9, 3.68 ERA) will start for Los Angeles in the series finale Monday against RHP Luis Garcia, who’ll make his return after sitting out since May 2023 recovering from Tommy John surgery.