Astros tender contract offers to 3 players
HOUSTON โ The Houston Astros have tendered contracts to three arbitration-eligible players: shortstop Carlos Correa, infielder Aledmys Dรญaz, and right-handed pitcher Lance McCullers Jr. Additionally, the club has agreed to terms on a one-year contract with right-handed pitcher Austin Pruitt. The deadline for Major League Baseball clubs to tender contracts to their arbitration-eligible players was 7 p.m. Wednesday. Selected by the Astros with the first-overall pick in the 2012 MLB Draft, Correa is entering his seventh Major League season with the Astros in 2021. He then made three starts for the Astros during the 2020 postseason, starting Game 1 of the ALDS at OAK, and Games 2 and 7 of the ALCS at TB. Pruitt, 31, was acquired by the Astros from Tampa Bay on Jan. 9, in exchange for two prospects, right-handed pitcher Peyton Battenfield and outfielder Cal Stevenson.
Here are 5 Astros who need to step up in a Verlander-less rotation for playoffs
HOUSTON โ For two months, the Astros hoped they would get Justin Verlander back to lead the team through the playoffs. Now the teamโs ace will be Zack Greinke for the playoffs with a patchwork of young and recently-injured pitchers to finish out the season. Hereโs a look at who the Astros have left in their rotation. The veteran got his ERA as low as 1.84 before giving up at least three runs or more in his past six starts. He will likely be the Astros #3 starter in the playoffs if heโs healthy.
Tucker hits game-ending homer as Astros sweep Mariners 3-2
HOUSTON Kyle Tucker hit a game-ending homer in the ninth inning, and the Houston Astros beat the Seattle Mariners 3-2 on Sunday for their fourth straight win. Tucker drove a 96-mph fastball from Erik Swanson (0-2) deep to right for his first career game-ending homer. Astros catcher Martn Maldonado, who turned 34 on Sunday, singled in Tucker in the fourth, tying it at 2. UP NEXTMariners: RHP Justin Dunn (1-1, 4.85 ERA) is scheduled to make his fourth start of the year on Monday against the Dodgers. The rookie has allowed just three earned runs in the first 14 1/3 innings of his career.
What to expect from Lance McCullers post-Tommy John surgery
The Astros missed McCullers in 2019 while he was recovering from Tommy John surgery, performed in November 2018. Lance McCullers Jr.Pre-Tommy John surgery: 3.67 ERA/3.24 FIP in 80 starts over four seasons, averaging 113 IP per year. Tommy John surgery: Nov. 6, 2018Return to action: Presumed July 25, 2020 (20 months out)The pitchers who have had Tommy John Surgery relatively recently, and are closest in situation to McCullers are Lance Lynn, Joe Ross, Alex Cobb and Shelby Miller. He has a 4.72 ERA post-Tommy John surgery and his strikeout rate never recovered despite the freer swinging of todays game. Miller has yet to recover from Tommy John surgery, or whatever ailed him starting in 2016.
MLB Network Host, Houston native Robert Flores weighs in on 2020 MLB season
HOUSTON Its probably not a surprise that MLB Network Host Robert Flores is excited for baseball to return. Flores said baseballs return could lift the countrys spirits during such a strange time. I think its welcomed, said Flores, a Dobie High School and University of Houston graduate. Flores thinks even if the legitimacy of the 2020 World Series winner is questioned, that wont make the players want to compete for it any less. Fans may not be allowed in stadiums, but Flores feels the return of the MLB, if done safely and correctly, could be monumental.