FWIW my take on the roster for opening day. I think a waiver or trade pickup fills the 4th outfielder spot and if Click stays with internal options then it will be Jose Siri (despite not being on the 40-man).
Pretty incredible that it looks like 10 pitchers will be on the injured or restricted list to start the season.
Note that Pedro Baez is on the COVID IL and doesn’t count against the 40-man so when he gets activated a corresponding roster move will be necessary.
Is something wrong with Ryan Pressly and I’ve missed it? He’s only appeared in two spring games and hasn’t appeared in a game since March 11th. I guess he could be pitching on back fields and in B games. Is there an issue?
Good news.
From Yahoo:
Ryan Pressly is “fine” despite not appearing in a Grapefruit League game since March 11th, according to Astros manager Dusty Baker.
Pressly reportedly threw in a simulated game this past Friday and there are plans for him to appear in a “B game” on Tuesday. It’s still interesting as to why the right-hander has been absent for such an extended period of time, but all we can do is take Baker at his word. The 32-year-old has thrown two innings this spring with four strikeouts and zero walks and is expected to open the season as the Astros closer.
Interesting indeed. Thanks for posting that. The whole things seems a little off to me, but ok.
They may have some formula they’re using, or he may have something they’re nursing.
I doubt they’ll let us know one way or the other.
A sampling of the outfielders still in camp who are likely ticketed for Sugar Land…
Jose Siri (6-30, 15 Ks)
Chas McCormick (2-24, 11 Ks)
Jake Meyers (0-14, 9 Ks)
Bryan De La Cruz (5-15, 5 Ks)
Just 2 XBH among that group (a 2B by De La Cruz and a HR by Siri).
I think he might be too costly but the Cubs just cut Cameron Maybin. He’d be a great fit.
Not exactly surprising news about looking for outside help (at least regards the OF spot). If they are truly looking for some pitching help as well it certainly confirms that the decision to let Steve Cishek go was 100% driven by CBT concerns.
Baker’s continuing fascination with De La Cruz is interesting given the guy has played just 64 games above A ball and nobody would have given him even the remotest of chances to make the roster entering spring training. De La Cruz currently has a shoulder injury after colliding with Zach Daniels. Between the injury, that lack of experience in the upper levels of the minors, no real history of having played CF (just 19 starts there in a 7-year minor league career), not being on the 40-man roster and having played so little in “A” games this spring (just 15 ABs), Dusty’s touting of De La Cruz as a possible candidate for the OD roster is exceedingly curious and frankly far-fetched.
Cishek asked to be released.
And the Astros didn’t have to honor that request. They could have added him to the roster if they wished.
That seems pointless if a guy wants out, especially a fringe guy.
Cishek was simply angling for a roster spot. And if the Astros weren’t going to give it to him, then he wanted to be cut loose as soon as possible so he could try and hook on with another team.
Maybe they already decided and told him, but he had pitched pretty well after the first outing. I know what he wanted when he signed, of course.
Apparently a catcher may also be on the waiver/trade agenda as well. Given the guys currently in the system who project to see time at Sugar Land (Stubbs, Quintana, Shaver) that’s entirely understandable.
https://www.mlb.com/news/astros-garrett-stubbs-abraham-toro-quarantine
Chandler Rome reporting that Chas McCormick made the club.
Beat me to it, here’s the story:
