The Astros are set to welcome first baseman Jose Abreu again into the fold within the coming days, as Abreu himself advised reporters (together with The Athletic’s Chandler Rome) earlier in the present day that he’s set to fly to Seattle tomorrow forward of the membership to fulfill them for the membership’s three-game set towards the Mariners, which is about to start on Monday. Abreu had beforehand been anticipated to hitch Houston in Oakland for a 3 recreation set towards the A’s, however the membership as a substitute determined to get the veteran a number of additional video games within the minors.
Abreu, 37, struggled by way of a down season on the plate final 12 months in his first season with the Astros however started to warmth up considerably late within the season, offering optimism for his second 12 months with the membership. Sadly, the new stretch didn’t carry over and the veteran posted a disastrous .099/.156/.113 slash line in 22 video games earlier than agreeing to be optioned to the minors in an try to beat the deep struggles that had been plaguing him. Since then, Abreu has appeared in six video games within the minor leagues and slashed a good .280/.357/.480 in 28 journeys to the plate.
If Abreu can present something shut the offensive efficiency he supplied throughout his time with the White Sox, for whom he by no means posted a wRC+ lower than 14% higher than league common, it might present an enormous enhance to an Astros membership that has scuffled within the early going and presently sits 3.5 video games out of first place within the AL West with a 23-29 document that places them behind each the Mariners and Rangers. Jon Singleton has carried out admirably at first base in Abreu’s absence with a 110 wRC+ in 38 video games this 12 months, however that features a paltry .206/.290/.324 slash line towards left-handed pitching this 12 months. Abreu, in contrast, produced nicely towards southpaws even final season, when he hit a good .235/.296/.444 towards them in 179 journeys to the plate.
Extra from across the AL West…
- Sticking with the Astros, right-hander Jose Urquidy suffered a troublesome setback in the present day after exiting a rehab begin as a consequence of what supervisor Joe Espada termed “proper forearm discomfort,” as relayed by Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle. Urquidy is present process analysis to find out the severity of the difficulty, however even a short setback can be an unlucky flip of occasions for Houston. Urquidy had been anticipated to return to the membership sooner or later throughout the subsequent week, and in doing so would have supplied the Astros some much-needed pitching depth amid deep struggles within the rotation. The membership is presently using a six-man rotation of Justin Verlander, Framber Valdez, Cristian Javier, Hunter Brown, Spencer Arrighetti, and Ronel Blanco, however solely Blanco and Verlander have been above common by measure of ERA+ and nobody in that group has posted a FIP beneath 4.00 this season.
- Angels famous person Mike Trout spoke to reporters (together with MLB.com’s Rhett Bollinger) previous to in the present day’s recreation towards the Guardians earlier in the present day and supplied an optimistic replace concerning his rehab from meniscus surgical procedure earlier this month. Whereas Trout didn’t present a timetable for his return, he famous that he’s “feeling good” as he regains energy in his leg whereas resuming weight room exercise, and added that he’s “fairly shut” to starting to run once more. The star middle fielder was off to a different nice begin this 12 months previous to the damage, slashing .220/.325/.541 regardless of an incredibly low .194 BABIP thanks partially to a whopping 10 homers in 29 video games. Reporting on the time of his surgical procedure steered a four-to-six week restoration interval was the most effective case situation for Trout’s return, though the Angels have since indicated that they’re going to take Trout’s rehab slowly with a view to reduce the percentages of re-injury.
- The Athletics had a little bit of a scare concerning right-hander Austin Adams earlier in the present day of their recreation towards Houston when he was faraway from the sport as a consequence of a bout of left neck tightness. Luckily, supervisor Mark Kotsay advised reporters (together with Martin Gallegos of MLB.com) after the sport this night that Adams is day-to-day and doubtless might have pitched by way of the difficulty if essential, although the membership most popular to not danger it. Considered one of a number of journeymen taking advantage of their time in Oakland, Adams has been glorious for the A’s this season as he’s pitched to a 2.65 ERA with a 3.01 FIP throughout 23 appearances with a whopping 32.9% strikeout price. Adams has acted as the first set-up man to star nearer Mason Miller this season, and the 33-year-old is managed by way of the top of subsequent season, a truth that would make him a very enticing goal on the commerce deadline this summer season if he can keep wholesome and efficient.
