Alex Bregman returned to the Astros’ lineup this afternoon, hitting atop the order whereas enjoying designated hitter. Bregman’s leadoff homer accounted for the one run in a 4-1 loss to the Pink Sox. That was his first at-bat in every week, because the two-time All-Star hadn’t performed since final Wednesday due to irritation in his proper elbow.
Bregman’s return to the order doesn’t imply he’s at full energy. Breaking him again in at DH recommended the Astros had been nonetheless involved about him throwing the ball throughout the diamond. Bregman acknowledged that might be an issue for the foreseeable future. The third baseman advised reporters after the sport that his defensive work can be “a fluid scenario” for the rest of the season (hyperlink through Chandler Rome of the Athletic). Bregman made clear that he wasn’t coping with any structural harm in his UCL however famous he’d have to “attempt to mitigate” swelling every day.
That’s removed from a declaration that he received’t return to 3rd base, but it appears probably he’ll get a good quantity of run at designated hitter down the stretch. That would push Yordan Alvarez extra steadily into left area. Houston has additionally given catchers Yainer Diaz and Victor Caratini sporadic DH work as a method of preserving them recent whereas getting each gamers into the lineup. Caratini, because the #2 choice behind the plate, may lose just a few reps. Diaz has began two of the previous three video games at first base, the place the Astros had been utilizing a Jon Singleton/Zach Dezenzo platoon. That’s one other potential avenue for supervisor Joe Espada to maintain each catchers within the lineup.
The larger query is how the Astros would cowl third base if Bregman’s enjoying time there’s curtailed. Rookie Shay Whitcomb is evidently the primary alternative. Houston known as him up on Thursday and has given him the previous 5 begins on the sizzling nook. Whitcomb has had an excellent 12 months in Triple-A, hitting .293/.378/.530 with 25 homers and 26 stolen bases. He’d struggled with strikeouts all through his minor league profession earlier than taking a big step ahead in that regard this season.
At this level, there’s no indication that Bregman is coping with something particularly worrisome. It’s however a scenario price monitoring because the Astros work to lock down one other division title and into the upcoming offseason. Bregman can be a free agent for the primary time and has a case because the second-best place participant within the class behind Juan Soto.
As MLBTR explored in better element final week, Bregman has rebounded from a dismal begin to the season. He has hit the ball tougher because the 12 months has progressed and has been on an influence barrage this month. Whereas his general .261/.318/.450 season line remains to be under his normal degree, that’s attributable to the poor begin. Bregman is enjoying in addition to ever over the previous couple months.
