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 per 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 power. Breaking him again in at DH recommended the Astros have 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 shall be “a fluid scenario” for the rest of the season (hyperlink by way of Chandler Rome of the Athletic). Bregman made clear that he wasn’t coping with any structural harm in his UCL however famous he’d must “attempt to mitigate” swelling each day.
That’s removed from a declaration that he gained’t return to 3rd base, but it appears possible he’ll get a good quantity of run at designated hitter down the stretch. That might push Yordan Alvarez extra regularly into left discipline. Houston has additionally given catchers Yainer Diaz and Victor Caratini sporadic DH work as a method of protecting them recent whereas getting each gamers into the lineup. Caratini, because the #2 possibility 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 ideal 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 major 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 value monitoring because the Astros work to lock down one other division title and into the upcoming offseason. Bregman shall 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 larger element final week, Bregman has rebounded from a dismal begin to the season. He has hit the ball more durable because the 12 months has progressed and has been on an influence barrage this month. Whereas his total .261/.318/.450 season line remains to be beneath his commonplace stage, that’s attributable to the poor begin. Bregman is enjoying in addition to ever over the previous couple months.
