The Astros are set to welcome first baseman Jose Abreu again into the fold within the coming days, as Abreu himself instructed reporters (together with The Athletic’s Chandler Rome) earlier at this time that he’s set to fly to Seattle tomorrow forward of the membership to fulfill them for the membership’s three-game set in opposition to the Mariners, which is about to start on Monday. Abreu had beforehand been anticipated to affix Houston in Oakland for a 3 sport set in opposition to the A’s, however the membership as a substitute determined to get the veteran a couple of additional video games within the minors.
Abreu, 37, struggled by a down season on the plate final yr in his first season with the Astros however started to warmth up considerably late within the season, offering optimism for his second yr with the membership. Sadly, the recent 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 decent .280/.357/.480 in 28 journeys to the plate.
If Abreu can present something shut the offensive efficiency he provided throughout his time with the White Sox, for whom he by no means posted a wRC+ lower than 14% higher than league common, it will present an enormous enhance to an Astros membership that has scuffled within the early going and at present 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 yr, however that features a paltry .206/.290/.324 slash line in opposition to left-handed pitching this yr. Abreu, in contrast, produced properly in opposition to southpaws even final season, when he hit a good .235/.296/.444 in opposition to them in 179 journeys to the plate.
Extra from across the AL West…
Sticking with the Astros, right-hander Jose Urquidy suffered a tricky setback at this time after exiting a rehab begin on account 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 could 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 provided the Astros some much-needed pitching depth amid deep struggles within the rotation. The membership is at present 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 under 4.00 this season.
Angels celebrity Mike Trout spoke to reporters (together with MLB.com’s Rhett Bollinger) previous to at this time’s sport in opposition to the Guardians earlier at this time and provided an optimistic replace relating to 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 power 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 yr previous to the damage, slashing .220/.325/.541 regardless of a surprisingly low .194 BABIP thanks partially to a whopping 10 homers in 29 video games. Reporting on the time of his surgical procedure prompt a four-to-six week restoration interval was the very best case state of affairs for Trout’s return, though the Angels have since indicated that they’re going to take Trout’s rehab slowly in an effort to decrease the percentages of re-injury.
The Athletics had a little bit of a scare relating to right-hander Austin Adams earlier at this time of their sport in opposition to Houston when he was faraway from the sport on account of a bout of left neck tightness. Fortuitously, supervisor Mark Kotsay instructed 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 the difficulty if mandatory, although the membership most well-liked to not danger it. One in all a number of journeymen benefiting from 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 the top of subsequent season, a truth that might make him a very enticing goal on the commerce deadline this summer season if he can keep wholesome and efficient.
