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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Jalen Green and Fred VanVleet had 21 points each and the Houston Rockets built a huge lead early and coasted to a 127-100 win over the San Antonio Spurs Wednesday night.
Houston never trailed and had built a 25-point lead by halftime. The Rockets were up by 27 points when coach Ime Udoka cleared the bench with about 6½ minutes remaining.
Alperen Sengun added 16 points for the Rockets, who won for the fourth time in five games. VanVleet had 10 assists and seven rebounds — both season-highs — to go with his top scoring effort of the season.
Victor Wembanyama had 15 points, six rebounds and three blocks for the Spurs, who lost a second straight game. They were playing a third consecutive game without coach Gregg Popovich, who is out indefinitely while recovering from an illness. Mitch Johnson is filling in as interim coach while the 75-year-old Popovich, who did not travel with the team on this road trip, is out.
Spurs: San Antonio’s defense suffered Wednesday in its first game without top on-ball defender Jeremy Sochan, who suffered a fractured left thumb that will require surgery in Monday’s game. Rookie Stephon Castle, who started in his place, will need to step up with Sochan likely out for an extended period.
Rockets: After failing to play consistently for four quarters in the last two games, Houston finally put together a complete game against the Spurs.
The Rockets were up by 7 with about five minutes left in the first quarter before using a 7-0 run, with the first five points by VanVleet, to make it 22-8. The Spurs didn’t get closer than 10 points after that.
The Rockets dominated inside, outscoring the Spurs 66-46 in the paint.
San Antonio hosts Portland on Thursday night and the Rockets visit Oklahoma City on Friday night.
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