The Astros are coping with a handful of accidents to depth gamers in camp. Supervisor Joe Espada instructed reporters this morning that reliever Shawn Dubin is battling shoulder irritation. In the meantime, younger outfielder Pedro León sustained a strained MCL in his left knee (relayed by Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle).
Whereas there’s no suggestion of surgical procedure for both participant, it appears they’ll every be in for notable absences. Each accidents determine to power them to start the season on the injured checklist. Houston additionally took hits to their bullpen and outfield depth late final week. Chandler Rome of The Athletic wrote on Friday that righty reliever Kaleb Ort was battling a left indirect problem. In the meantime, outfielder Taylor Trammell suffered what seems to be a big proper calf pressure (per the MLB.com damage tracker).
In isolation, none of these accidents represents an enormous blow. León has appeared in seven main league video games. He’s prone to begin the season with Triple-A Sugar Land as soon as he’s wholesome. The previous highly-regarded prospect hit 24 homers and stole 29 bases within the minors final season. That got here with an elevated 27% strikeout fee. As he enters his age-27 season, he’s unlikely to take a giant step ahead together with his plate self-discipline. Baseball America ranked him the #18 prospect in a weak Houston farm system. BA writes that León initiatives as a depth outfielder whose energy and velocity are undercut by the swing-and-miss points and fringe outfield protection.
It is a large camp for every of Dubin, Ort and Trammell. All three have exhausted their minor league choices. They should stick on the main league roster (or injured checklist) or be uncovered to waivers. Dubin tossed 45 1/3 frames in a multi-inning aid function final yr. He pitched to a 4.17 ERA with strong strikeout (23.7%) and ground-ball (46.5%) charges, however he walked virtually 13% of batters confronted. The Astros used him principally in low-leverage aid.
Ort, 33, was a waiver declare from Baltimore final Might. He pitched properly in 22 large league appearances, working to a 2.55 ERA behind a 28% strikeout fee throughout 24 2/3 frames. Ort had entered the season with a profession earned run common north of 6.00, however he in all probability confirmed sufficient in his comparatively small pattern with Houston to stay in center aid. He’s an influence arm who can miss bats however had inconsistent management within the minors.
Houston acquired Trammell in a minor league commerce with the Yankees initially of the offseason. The Astros added him to their 40-man roster to maintain him from qualifying for minor league free company. A former prime prospect, Trammell has solely hit .167/.270/.363 over 126 main league video games. He had a powerful .256/.381/.488 line in Triple-A with the Yankees final yr. As with León, that got here with an alarming variety of strikeouts (a 26.8% fee). Houston spent a lot of the offseason in search of lefty-hitting outfield assist after the Kyle Tucker commerce. Their solely transfer was to deliver again Ben Gamel on a non-guaranteed contract. Trammell and Gamel may battle for one roster spot, espeically with Jose Altuve seeing time in left discipline.
