Dusty Baker’s surprising statement raises questions about Astros prospect
THERE'S A CATCH
03 May 2023
Prior to the start of the season, Yainer Diaz was expected to get a bump in playing time with Christian Vazquez leaving for Minnesota and Martin Maldonado in the last year of his deal at 36 years old.
But despite Maldonado's challenges at the plate (.162/.250/.235), and decline in defensive skills, Diaz has not been playing as much as expected. And he's not getting enough at-bats to make any reasonable conclusions about how he's progressing in MLB.
When manager Dusty Baker was asked about the distribution of playing time, he said it's been difficult to get enough opportunities for Diaz AND catcher César Salazar. And we shouldn't expect Maldonado's role to change until the schedule shifts.
Be sure to check out the video above as we lay out why these comments are so head-scratching.
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Hunter Brown pitched two-hit ball into the sixth inning, and the Houston Astros beat the slumping Cincinnati Reds 3-0 on Friday night.
Brown (6-1) struck out nine, matching his season high for the fourth straight start. The right-hander also issued a season-high four walks in his fifth consecutive win.
Brown departed after Gavin Lux walked with two out in the sixth. Kaleb Ort got Spencer Steer to bounce into a forceout at second.
Josh Hader handled the ninth for his ninth save.
Cincinnati finished with four hits in its sixth loss in seven games.
Reds right-hander Nick Martinez (1-4) surrendered 10 hits and three runs in six innings. He struck out five and walked none.
Zach Dezenzo hit a two-out RBI single in the second, and the Astros added two more runs in the fifth.
Mauricio Dubón followed Brendan Rodgers’ leadoff double with a chopper past third baseman Santiago Espinal, moving Rodgers to third. Jeremy Peña drove in Rodgers with a groundout to second, and Isaac Paredes doubled home Dubón with two down.
Jose Altuve, Christian Walker, and Yainer Diaz each had two hits for the Astros.
Cincinnati's Austin Hays returned from the injured list after missing 10 games with a left hamstring strain. He went 1 for 4.
Reds outfielder Jake Fraley was scratched due to left calf tenderness after missing the last two games.
Key moment
Tyler Stephenson hit a one-out double for Cincinnati in the ninth. But Hader struck out Rece Hinds and Espinal, ending the game.
Key stat
It was Houston's first win against the Reds since June 19, 2016, ending a nine-game skid.
Up next
Lance McCullers Jr. (0-0 0.00 ERA) will make his second start of the season and first home start since October 3, 2022, against Reds right-hander Brady Singer (4-2 3.66 ERA) on Saturday night.
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