Houston Astros front office throws a curveball with latest revelations
ASTROS DOUBLE DOWN!
05 February
The Astros sound serious about Jose Altuve playing left field. Composite Getty Image.
Astros GM Dana Brown spoke with the media on Tuesday and shared some surprising updates about some of the club's key players.
Firstly, Brown spoke about Alex Bregman as if he's no longer in Houston's plans. Which shouldn't come as much of a surprise considering the moves Houston made to replace Breggy and Tucker.
It feels like any hope for Alex's return to Houston is coming from agent Scott Boras looking to use the 'Stros as leverage.
Yet, with Bregman unlikely to return, the team is still looking to play Jose Altuve in left field. Moving Altuve to left made some sense if they were doing it to accommodate Bregman, but reports suggest Houston would have done the same thing had they signed Mariners infielder Jorge Polanco, who has defensive issues of his own.
It sounds strange, but Brown made a point of saying Altuve looked good in left field. One has to wonder if another move is coming, or if Mauricio Dubon plays second base when Houston's top ground ball pitchers (Framber Valdez, Hunter Brown) make their starts.
Health updates
Brown shared optimism about the return of Lance McCullers, who is currently throwing off a mound and reaching 90mph. As much as we would love to see McCullers return, it's hard for many to get too excited after a few positive throwing sessions. But hey, never say never. They could certainly use him.
It was also revealed at the presser that Luis Garcia is throwing on flat ground with no issues. While that is good news, we expected Garcia would be further along in his recovery. Pitchers and catchers report in about a week, and he's still not throwing off a mound. Hopefully that changes sooner rather than later.
Don't miss the video above as ESPN Houston's John Granato and Lance Zierlein try to make sense out of the latest updates from the Astros, and much more!
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.
Key moment
The home run by Peraza.
Key stat
It’s the fifth time the Astros have been shut out this month.
Up next
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.
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