Here's why Astros tension with Dusty Baker is about to reach a boiling point
HE'S HAD ENOUGH
31 July 2023
With about two months left in the regular season, the Astros still trail the Rangers in the AL West. The Rangers are adding as many pieces as they can before the trade deadline to make a hard push to win the division.
The Astros are still in a good place, and perhaps they can just make a few tweaks to the existing team that could give them a boost moving forward. One of those tweaks has to be using Yainer Diaz more often, and playing Martin Maldonado less. Which is something manager Dusty Baker seems unwilling to do.
When questioned about his head-scratching decisions, Baker is starting to get chippy with the media. And just the other day, Baker took issue with a question when asked if the team would carry three catchers, which would allow Dusty to start both Diaz and Maldonado together.
Asked if the Astros have considered going back to carrying three catchers to give him some flexibility to play Yainer Diaz and Martín Maldonado together, Dusty Baker said "Yainer has trouble with lefties. Everybody trying to help me manage, I don't really need it, thank you."
— Chandler Rome (@Chandler_Rome) July 30, 2023
Astros fans have certainly gotten used to the strange lineup decisions, but his comments about Maldonado being a similar hitter to Diaz outside of batting average, is just factually incorrect.
Via: The Athletic:
“Him and (Maldonado) have about the same amount of at-bats… Other than batting average, they've done pretty close as far as production is concerned…”
Yainer Diaz is currently slugging .507 with Maldy at .302. How about OPS? Diaz is sitting at .789 with Maldonado at .541.
Not to mention Diaz is the better defensive catcher at this late stage of Maldy's career. And to put the cherry on top, the Astros team ERA is lower with Diaz catching.
So what exactly has to take place to get Yainer in the lineup on a more regular basis?
Be sure to watch the video above as we lay it all out.
If you enjoy the videos, subscribe on YouTube for our latest content.
And listen to ESPN 97.5 and 92.5 FM for Houston's best sports talk.
The Houston Astros’ battered starting rotation suffered another blow this week as right-hander Ronel Blanco was sent back to Houston to be evaluated by team doctors after experiencing elbow soreness.
Ronel Blanco has elbow soreness and was sent back to Houston to be seen by team doctors.
— Julia Morales (@JuliaMorales) May 21, 2025
Blanco, who has been one of the bright spots in a rotation ravaged by injuries, now becomes the latest name on a growing list of sidelined Astros arms. His departure comes at a time when the club can least afford it, with the rotation already operating under extreme strain.
The Astros have already lost Hayden Wesneski for the season after the young righty was diagnosed with a torn UCL and will undergo Tommy John surgery. Meanwhile, Luis Garcia and Cristian Javier are each still working their way back from Tommy John procedures of their own.
In addition, JP France is still recovering from shoulder surgery, and Spencer Arrighetti is on the shelf with a broken thumb.
The team has leaned heavily on minor-league reinforcements and bullpen arms to patch together innings, but with Blanco now dealing with arm discomfort, those emergency options are thinning fast.
The severity of his elbow soreness is not yet known, but the decision to send him home for evaluation signals real concern.
With so many starters either injured or rehabbing, Houston’s pitching depth is being tested early. For a team built around elite run prevention, the health of the rotation may ultimately define their season. And let's face it, it's mostly been a worst-case scenario when Astros pitchers have dealt with elbow discomfort. Hopefully that won't be the case with Blanco.
*ChatGPT assisted.
___________________________
Looking to get the word out about your business, products, or services? Consider advertising on SportsMap! It's a great way to get in front of Houston sports fans. Click the link below for more information!
Most Popular
SportsMap Emails
Are Awesome
Listen Live
