How Houston Astros latest update gives biggest clue yet on Yuli's future
RUN IT BACK
03 February 2023
RUN IT BACK
With spring training just around the corner, Yuli Gurriel's future with the Houston Astros is still up in the air. We're hearing rumblings that manager Dusty Baker would like to get Yuli back on the club, but nothing has come to fruition.
“Yuli Gurriel had been seeking $3 million.
Dusty Baker is stumping to get Gurriel back with the Astros, though the fit is tight after they signed Jose Abreu.” Per @JonHeyman
— Michael Schwab (@michaelschwab13) February 2, 2023
We also heard from the Astros new GM Dana Brown and his thoughts on Yuli returning to the club.
“The realistic thing is we have Abreu at first base right now. So at the end of the day, we have to look at maybe some other spots … to strengthen the club, give Dusty [Baker] more options.”
Brown's quote doesn't give us a lot of optimism. Based on his statement, he may not see Yuli as anything more than a first baseman at this stage in his career, and the Astros could use a utility player.
On the positive side, we received an encouraging update on Michael Brantley's health, as his recovery is on schedule and he plans to participate in batting practice next week.
Be sure to check out the video above as we analyze what the updates mean for the Astros moving forward.
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José Soriano and two relievers combined for a two-hitter and Oswald Peraza hit his first home run since a trade from the Yankees to lead the Los Angeles Angels to a 3-0 win over the Houston Astros on Sunday.
Soriano (10-9) allowed one hit and struck out eight in seven innings. Luis García allowed one hit in a scoreless eighth and Kenley Jansen threw a perfect ninth for his 25th save.
There were two outs in the fifth when Peraza connected off Hunter Brown (10-7) into the bullpen in right-center field to put the Angels up 1-0. His homer comes after his two-run single in the ninth inning Saturday helped Los Angeles to a 4-1 victory that snapped a three-game skid.
Yoan Moncada walked to start the eighth and scored on Mike Trout’s double that bounced off the wall in center field to make it 2-0. Taylor Ward walked before Luis Rengifo reached and Trout scored on an error by Lance McCullers Jr. when the pitcher overthrew first base.
Yordan Alvarez singled with no outs in the first and Soriano walked a batter in the second and sixth innings. The Astros didn’t get another hit until Ramón Urías doubled with one out in the eighth inning. Los Angeles outfielder Taylor Ward was injured trying to make a catch on that hit when he crashed face-first into the metal scoreboard in left field.
He was carted off the field holding a towel to the right side of his face. He was taken to a hospital by ambulance where interim manager Ray Montgomery said he would receive stitches to close the cut and be evaluated.
Brown allowed three hits and a run with five strikeouts in six innings. McCullers Jr. allowed three hits and two runs in his first relief appearance since 2018.
The home run by Peraza.
It’s the fifth time the Astros have been shut out this month.
LHP Yusei Kikuchi (6-9, 3.68 ERA) will start for Los Angeles in the series finale Monday against RHP Luis Garcia, who’ll make his return after sitting out since May 2023 recovering from Tommy John surgery.