How Astros can open roster opportunities with some unconventional tweaks
ROSTER SHUFFLE
25 July 2023
Throughout the course of the season, Dusty Baker hasn't been given his full complement of players to manage, with the Astros bitten so hard by the injury bug.
Much has been made of Baker's sometimes head-scratching lineup decisions. But how fair is the criticism, considering the team is 13 games above .500 and Yordan Alvarez and Jose Altuve have only played in 13 games together this season?
With the trade deadline quickly approaching, many are expecting the Astros to make a splash and upgrade the roster for the playoff push. However, considering Houston's lack of top-end talent in their minor league system to deal away, finding a trade partner could be a challenge.
Perhaps the best plan of action is for the Astros to promote a player or two from Triple-A and see how they perform. Pedro Leon is a name Astros fans have been hearing about for quite a while. Should general manager Dana Brown be looking for some minor league players that can outperform the likes of Jake Meyers, David Hensley, and Bligh Madris?
And does Dusty currently have the best players in the Astros system at his disposal on a daily basis?
Plus, it's worth noting that it's not Baker's fault that Jeremy Pena and Jose Abreu have not played up to expectations.
Be sure to watch the video above as we examine several possibilities to upgrade the roster without looking outside the organization.
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Cristian Javier and Luis Garcia are back on the mound, but can they actually help the Houston Astros this season?
Javier made his first rehab start in the Florida Complex League (FCL), his first appearance since undergoing Tommy John surgery, and the results weren’t promising.
He struck out two but gave up three runs and reported some elbow soreness afterward. He’s expected to use his full 30-day rehab window.
Meanwhile, Luis Garcia had a slightly better outing, striking out four in his own FCL appearance. But with the Astros dealing with a wave of long-term pitching injuries, fans are left wondering: Are these arms just rusty, or not ready at all?
Be sure to watch the video below as ESPN Houston's John Granato and Lance Zierlein break down both pitchers’ status, what their timelines look like, and whether Astros fans should have hope or concerns about their returns.
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