Latest news with #Espada
Canada News.Net
3 days ago
- Sport
- Canada News.Net
A's pursue second straight win over banged-up Astros
(Photo credit: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images) One of the foremost challenges facing Houston Astros manager Joe Espada and his injury-strapped roster is utilizing the revolving door of players recalled from the minors or acquired off waivers. In the opener of a four-game series against the Athletics on Thursday, the Astros started three players who weren't with the team as recently as July 1 -- Jon Singleton, Brice Matthews and Zack Short -- behind a pitcher, Jason Alexander, who began the season with the A's before Houston claimed him off waivers in mid-May. The Astros, who fell 5-2, will try to bounce back when the series continues Friday night in Houston. Espada has generated American League Manager of the Year consideration based on how he has handled the roster attrition, a skill derived from his desire to establish a rapport with as many members of the organization as possible. 'Trust starts with conversations and knowing who I am and my expectations as a manager,' Espada said. 'I think that's really helped me be in this position right now and stay calm through this entire process. It hasn't been easy, but it's been fun.' Rookie Ryan Gusto (6-3, 4.46 ERA) is slated to start for Houston on Friday. The right-hander has made three consecutive relief appearances since his last start, permitting two runs and striking out five across 6 1/3 innings in that span. In his most recent start, Gusto allowed one run on four hits and one walk with one strikeout over six innings in a 5-1 road win over the Los Angeles Dodgers on July 6. He is 5-3 with a 4.92 ERA in 12 starts this year, 1-0 with a 3.15 ERA in 10 relief outings. Gusto did not record a decision in his lone appearance against the Athletics. He allowed one run on three hits and one walk with eight strikeouts over five innings in the Astros' 3-1 road loss on June 16. Left-hander Jeffrey Springs (8-7, 4.18 ERA) has the starting assignment for the Athletics. He allowed five runs on a season-high nine hits with four strikeouts over four innings in an 8-2 road loss to the Cleveland Guardians on Sunday. It was his shortest outing since he worked two-plus innings in an 11-7 road loss to the Toronto Blue Jays on May 30. Springs is 1-0 with a 10.80 ERA in two career appearances against the Astros, both in relief. He tossed one perfect inning and was the pitcher of record in a 5-4 win over Houston on May 2, 2021, while with the Tampa Bay Rays. Athletics rookie Jacob Wilson did not play on Thursday as part of a plan designed to give him occasional days off to lessen his workload. The 23-year-old shortstop was batting .327 before going 0-for-17 over his past four games. 'Like we talked about going forward for the second half, for Jacob, it's really about managing the workload and making sure he stays physically strong,' Athletics manager Mark Kotsay said. 'For Jacob, six (games) in a row, travel, getting in late, I think (Thursday) was the day to give him a blow and let him reboot.'
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Astros GM gives laundry list of pitching injury updates
The post Astros GM gives laundry list of pitching injury updates appeared first on ClutchPoints. As the Houston Astros look to stay afloat in the American League playoff hunt, general manager Dana Brown delivered a wave of updates on the team's battered pitching staff, offering hope that reinforcements could soon be on the way. The most encouraging news centers around right-hander Cristian Javier, who took a significant step forward in his recovery from Tommy John surgery. Now 13 months removed from the procedure, Javier began a minor-league rehab assignment on Saturday with the Astros' rookie-level Florida Complex League affiliate. He threw 1⅓ innings and fired 35 pitches, with his fastball reportedly reaching 95 mph. 'My reports said that he came out feeling really good,' Astros manager Joe Espada said. 'He's progressing well, and we're optimistic he can help us this season.' Brown echoed that sentiment, noting that Javier is ahead of fellow injured starter Luis Garcia in the rehab process. While Garcia's velocity reached 94 mph in his recent outing — also with the FCL affiliate — Brown said the right-hander 'is probably going to take a little bit longer' to rejoin the big-league club. Astros could get some pitching reinforcements after the trade deadline Garcia's appearance on Monday marked his first rehab outing of the season, another key milestone in his return from Tommy John surgery. Both arms were integral to Houston's rotation before injuries derailed their 2024 campaigns. Meanwhile, another promising young pitcher, Spencer Arrighetti, is nearing the next step in his own recovery journey. The 24-year-old right-hander suffered a fractured right thumb during a freak batting-practice accident in April, but he's now throwing live batting practice sessions in Florida. Espada said Arrighetti threw two innings on Sunday and could begin a rehab assignment 'in a week or a week-and-a-half.' 'He's really close,' Espada said. 'He just needs to get through a couple more live BPs, but we're feeling good about where he's at.' Arrighetti showed flashes of potential in his brief stint with the Astros earlier this season and could be a valuable depth piece once healthy. His return, along with those of Javier and Garcia, would provide a much-needed boost to a rotation that's leaned heavily on Framber Valdez and Ronel Blanco in the first half. On the position-player front, outfielder Chas McCormick is also nearing a return from a left oblique strain that has sidelined him since June. He began a rehab assignment with Triple-A Sugar Land on July 4 and has appeared in five games, going 2-for-20 with a homer, two RBIs, and three runs scored. Although McCormick was not in the lineup for Sugar Land's game on Sunday in Oklahoma City, Espada noted that he would head to Florida during the All-Star break to get additional at-bats and ramp up activity. 'Chas is close,' Espada said. 'We just want to make sure he's seeing live pitching and gets enough reps before we bring him back.' With the Astros clawing to stay in the postseason picture, the return of key arms like Javier, Garcia, and Arrighetti — plus the spark McCormick brings to the lineup — could be just what the team needs to make a second-half surge. Related: Astros' draft pick sparks buzz after savage 2022 shot at Yankees resurfaces Related: Why Isaac Paredes dropped out of All-Star Game after replacing Jose Ramirez
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Astros starter dazzles in first rehab start
The post Astros starter dazzles in first rehab start appeared first on ClutchPoints. The Houston Astros starting rotation has been missing pieces all season. Cristian Javier continues to rehab from a Tommy John surgery. His return is still weeks away, but Astros manager Joe Espada got some good news on Saturday. Spencer Arrighetti, another starter out with injury, cruised through his first rehab start in Double-A Corpus Christi. Arrighetti had not pitched in a game since April 5. A thumb injury put him on the Astros' 60-day injured list. However, he showed no signs of rust in his first start back. Through three innings with the Hooks, Arrighetti struck out four batters, according to the teams' social media page. Arrighetti's success is a great sign for Espada and the Astros. If he can return to his former glory, he fits snugly behind Hunter Brown and Framber Valdez in the rotation. Starting pitching depth is key for a Houston team clinging to a lead in the American League West. When they get Arrighetti back, Espada's group is one piece closer to being complete. When he was in the major leagues this season, Arrighetti's numbers were inconsistent. However, he pitched less than ten innings across his two starts in 2025. His absence has hurt an Astros rotation that can't afford to be without him for much longer. Espada has called up Ryan Gusto in an effort to tread water. However, he needs Javier, Arrighetti, and Luis Garcia to return to Houston. For now, the Astros have done well to build a decent lead in their division. However, they are not safe. The Seattle Mariners and Texas Rangers have each shown signs of life. They are one good run away from pushing Houston for the top spot. Arrighetti's rehab performance is an encouraging sign that things will get easier for the Astros. Espada hopes that the pitcher who dominated in Corpus Christi is the same one he gets back on his roster soon. Related: Astros' Isaac Paredes exits Mariners game with potentially serious injury Related: Top prospects Houston Astros must trade at 2025 MLB trade deadline
Yahoo
08-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Astros make roster moves before playing Dodgers
The post Astros make roster moves before playing Dodgers appeared first on ClutchPoints. The Houston Astros enter their weekend series against the Los Angeles Dodgers with momentum. Despite being without slugger Yordan Alvarez, Joe Espada's team is 8-2 in their last ten games. Before kicking things off in Dodger Stadium, the Astros shuffled their roster around. Houston send relief pitcher Jordan Weems in assignment and called up relief pitcher Jason Alexander. Advertisement While there is a chance that Alexander could see some playing time, the move is much more about Weems. The 32-year-old was roughed up against the Colorado Rockies on Thursday, giving up five hits and two runs in two innings. He heads back down to the minor leagues to await his next opportunity in Espada's bullpen. Alexander, on the other hand, rejoins the roster for the first time in more than two weeks. The righty will likely be a bulk reliever as Espada continues to wait for Cristian Javier and his other starters to return from injury. Houston made the moves just hours before their series opener against the Dodgers, according to Houston Chronicle writer Matt Kawahara. Alexander could start the finale of the series on Sunday. The Astros are accustomed to playing bullpen games with starters out with injury. He and the Astros hope that Alexander can hold his own against one of the top offenses in the league. The series between two of the more dominant teams in the modern era is a big one. Both teams have a comfortable lead in their division. However, they have their sights set on a title. This weekend gives Espada and Dodgers manager Dave Roberts a look at what their team looks like against elite competition. Advertisement While the rosters would be vastly different because of the Dodgers' and Astros' injuries, this weekend could be a World Series preview. Alexander needs to step up if his name is called on Sunday in one of the biggest games of his career. Related: Astros' Christian Walker continues to haunt Dodger Stadium with another moonshot Related: Astros outfielder takes step toward injury return
San Francisco Chronicle
29-05-2025
- Sport
- San Francisco Chronicle
Astros' Yordan Alvarez 'really close' to returning after hand injury
HOUSTON (AP) — Houston manager Joe Espada said Thursday injured slugger Yordan Alvarez is getting 'really close' to returning to the lineup after sitting out with a hand injury for almost a month. Alvarez, who has been out since May 3 with right hand inflammation, hit off a pitching machine Thursday before the Astros opened a four-games series with the Tampa Bay Rays. 'He's getting really close,' Espada said. 'This is the best I've seen him and this is the best he's felt. So, really good news.' Alvarez is scheduled to hit about 50 pitches off minor leaguers Friday as he moves closer to his return. Espada said they're doing this so he can get game ready without going on a minor league rehabilitation assignment. 'That will be his way to kind of check that box and get ready for games,' Espada said. The biggest obstacle to getting Alvarez back on the field has been to keep the inflammation away as he's ramped up his activity. 'I felt good,' Alvarez said in Spanish through a translator after hitting Thursday. 'Now I just have to wait to see how the hand reacts to the hitting. So hopefully I can return soon.' Alvarez said it's been difficult to be out for so long for an issue that at first was supposed to only keep him out a few days. 'Obviously… it's been a little bit frustrating being on the IL because of my hand,' he said. 'This is not a secret how difficult it is for a hitter to be dealing with hand pain. I've played hurt before, but obviously now with inflammation it's a little bit different.' He said his time on the injured list has lasted longer than expected because they're trying to get him completely well so this isn't something he's dealing with for the rest of the season. 'This is something delicate,' he said. 'I could have returned before but as soon as we saw the hand and how it reacted because of the inflammation, that's why it's been a little bit more time than I anticipated.'
