STONE COLD 'STROS
How Houston Astros’ pitching staff faces major challenges ahead
Jun 5, 2024, 10:45 am
Jose Urquidy and Cristian Javier are out for the season. Composite Getty Image.
The Astros have finally made the news official, just like we suspected for almost two weeks, Jose Urquidy and Cristian Javier are out for the season and undergoing surgery on their right elbows.
RHP Cristian Javier and RHP José Urquidy scheduled to undergo elbow surgery. pic.twitter.com/l2j8NRGYoo
— Houston Astros (@astros) June 5, 2024
Urquidy is scheduled to have his surgery Wednesday, and Javier is set for his procedure on Thursday. Astros GM Dana Brown said on the club's flagship station that the team will be in the market for starting pitching if they find a deal that “makes sense” for the team. But overall, he's very pleased with the team's starting five.
He believes they have enough talent currently to compete for a World Series with their current rotation.
One other concern is JP France's health. He still isn't throwing a baseball, so we shouldn't expect him to help the team anytime soon. Plus, with no depth on the starting staff, even more pressure is going to be put on the bullpen.
When will Kyle Tucker return?
Brown also gave an update on Kyle Tucker, who has a bone bruise on his shin. The hope is he will be able to return to the lineup this weekend.
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Oswald Peraza hit a two-run single in the ninth inning to help the Los Angeles Angels snap a three-game losing skid by beating the Houston Astros 4-1 on Saturday night.
Peraza entered the game as a defensive replacement in the seventh inning and hit a bases-loaded fly ball to deep right field that eluded the outstretched glove of Cam Smith. It was the fourth straight hit off Astros closer Bryan Abreu (3-4), who had not allowed a run in his previous 12 appearances.
The Angels third run of the ninth inning scored when Mike Trout walked with the bases loaded.
Kyle Hendricks allowed one run while scattering seven hits over six innings. He held the Astros to 1 for 8 with runners in scoring position, the one hit coming on Jesús Sánchez’s third-inning infield single that scored Jeremy Peña.
Reid Detmers worked around a leadoff walk to keep the Astros scoreless in the seventh, and José Fermin (3-2) retired the side in order in the eighth before Kenley Jansen worked a scoreless ninth to earn his 24th save.
Houston’s Spencer Arrighetti struck out a season-high eight batters over 6 1/3 innings. The only hit he allowed was Zach Neto’s third-inning solo home run.
Yordan Alvarez had two hits for the Astros, who remained three games ahead of Seattle for first place in the AL West.
Key moment
Peraza’s two-run single to deep right field that broke a 1-1 tie in the ninth.
Key Stat
Opponents were 5 for 44 against Abreu in August before he allowed four straight hits in the ninth.
Up next
Astros RHP Hunter Brown (10-6, 2.37 ERA) faces RHP José Soriano (9-9, 3.85) when the series continues Sunday.