Astros manager Dusty Baker spoke with the media prior to Wednesday's game against the Angels and discussed the latest on Michael Brantley, Chas McCormick, Jose Abreu, and Mauricio Dubon.
Brantley is headed back to Houston as he is dealing with soreness, but Baker hopes to have him back in Chicago.
Dusty Baker said Michael Brantley is sore and was sent back to Houston “to get checked out.”
— Brian McTaggart (@brianmctaggart) May 10, 2023
Chas McCormick appears to be dealing with the same lower back soreness that caused him to go on the IL. Jake Meyers has been playing well in his absence.
Chas McCormick is out of the lineup with a sore back, Dusty Baker said. Baker said he “overdid it” on his minor league rehab assignment and also wondered whether Michael Brantley did something similar.
— Chandler Rome (@Chandler_Rome) May 10, 2023
The Astros big free agent acquisition, Jose Abreu, is out of today's lineup and Baker believes he is dealing with some type of discomfort, but Abreu has yet to confirm it.
Also, Baker said McCormick’s back is “sore again.”
Plus, on Abreu he said: “I think he’s hurting a little bit somewhere but is not saying.”
— Brian McTaggart (@brianmctaggart) May 10, 2023
Yainer Diaz is playing first base for the Astros in the finale against the Angels, but it sounds like Abreu should be good to go against the White Sox on Friday. When asked about moving Abreu out of the cleanup spot when he returns, Baker expressed his displeasure with batting Yordan Alvarez and Kyle Tucker back-to-back.
He also doesn't want to move Bregman out of the two-spot, so it looks like Abreu will return to his normal place in the lineup in Chicago.
Finally, Mauricio Dubon's hamstring injury doesn't appear serious, but he likely won't play on Wednesday.
Mauricio Dubón is probably unavailable today, Dusty Baker said, but the injury isn't considered serious.
— Chandler Rome (@Chandler_Rome) May 10, 2023
Hopefully, the Astros are back to full strength soon, and we can finally see what this roster is capable of.
Next up: The Astros play the White Sox in Chicago on Friday.
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