Backe to return this season

[texanskan]

per the chron and Brian McTaggart's summary

Backe will return to the Astros Roster Sept. 1st after making 6 rehab starts in the minors, one in Corpus and the last five at Round Rock.

This is some good news as we suffer through a terrible season, let's hope Backe pitches well and heads into next spring 100%.

2008 rotation

Oswalt
Backe
Sampson
Patton
Williams (if he is not traded)/Wandy (if Woody is traded)

if healthy and if Lidge is a dominate closer again we just need to fill in the holes in the pen and the staff starts looking alot better.

[msn]

With the notable exception of a handful of postseason starts, Backe has never pitched like a #2 guy (of course, neither has Jason Jennings for the Astros :( ).

Also, Wandy has pitched much better than Woody this year.

Excited Backe's "backe", but he's a #3 or #4 guy (until October).

[macalu]

there's a Backe on the Astro's roster?

[texanskan]

With the notable exception of a handful of postseason starts, Backe has never pitched like a #2 guy (of course, neither has Jason Jennings for the Astros :( ).

Also, Wandy has pitched much better than Woody this year.

Excited Backe's "backe", but he's a #3 or #4 guy (until October).

Your 100% right about Wandy being better than Woody but we all know if the Stros can't move Woody there will be a spot for him in the rotation next season with that salary.

As far as Backe goes, sure he has not done anything to prove he is a number 2 starter but as we try to project a rotation for 2007 I think it's only fair to say at 100% with a good spring he is gonna be #2 behind Oswalt.

Also I am pumped to see if Patton gets up in September

[rocketfat]

outside of 2 clutch postseason starts, backe's pretty much dog ****, and tommy john surgery ain't exactly gonna make him better.

if he's anything more than a reliever/spot starter next season, we may as well throw in the towel on next year too.

looks like the guy's gonna turn into our new carlos hernandez, lingering around our organization for another several years, going on and off the injury report, and getting as many chances as he needs just because of a couple good performances in his past, when in reality he never was good to begin with.

[No Worries]

I would rather Backe come back as a reliever. Starting pitching has been less of a problem than our bullpen.

[leroy420]

outside of 2 clutch postseason starts, backe's pretty much dog ****, and tommy john surgery ain't exactly gonna make him better.

if he's anything more than a reliever/spot starter next season, we may as well throw in the towel on next year too.

looks like the guy's gonna turn into our new carlos hernandez, lingering around our organization for another several years, going on and off the injury report, and getting as many chances as he needs just because of a couple good performances in his past, when in reality he never was good to begin with.

I wonder if you actually watch baseball sometimes. Backe was actually pitching well until the injury last year. Not to mention that he is still learning how to pitch, let alone be a starter. Other than Roy, who else on the roster would you want pitching a big game? Also, many pitchers come back from Tommy John surgery stronger than before. I'm glad he gets a chance to get some starts in this season and to start next season at 100%. I don't think he's a #2. He's much more of a #3 or #4.

[Aceshigh7]

Backe pitched extremely well in his 2 or 3 starts early last season before going on the DL. I think once he gets back he'll be a great addition to the staff. If not at a #2 level then at least #3.

[DaDakota]

Great news but he is no Tim Redding.

[rocketfat]

I wonder if you actually watch baseball sometimes. Backe was actually pitching well until the injury last year. Not to mention that he is still learning how to pitch, let alone be a starter. Other than Roy, who else on the roster would you want pitching a big game? Also, many pitchers come back from Tommy John surgery stronger than before. I'm glad he gets a chance to get some starts in this season and to start next season at 100%. I don't think he's a #2. He's much more of a #3 or #4.

lol...many come back stronger than before?? really?

and the fact that backe may be the 2nd person on our staff that i'd want pitching a big game is exactly my point. if that's the case, don't kid yourself into thinking we'd have any hope of making the playoffs.

backe is fine as a #4 starter if the first 3 are all hall of famers pitching to their capabilities. those days are long gone, and there is no way in hell backe is anything close to a viable #2.

[The Cat]

outside of 2 clutch postseason starts, backe's pretty much dog ****, and tommy john surgery ain't exactly gonna make him better.

if he's anything more than a reliever/spot starter next season, we may as well throw in the towel on next year too.

looks like the guy's gonna turn into our new carlos hernandez, lingering around our organization for another several years, going on and off the injury report, and getting as many chances as he needs just because of a couple good performances in his past, when in reality he never was good to begin with.

Backe's ERA last season was better than any starter on this team right now, Oswalt included.

[rocketfat]

Backe's ERA last season was better than any starter on this team right now, Oswalt included.

VERY good point. so he should be our #1, right?

[DarkHorse]

I'd like to get my hopes up, but I'm afraid to.

[leroy420]

lol...many come back stronger than before?? really?

and the fact that backe may be the 2nd person on our staff that i'd want pitching a big game is exactly my point. if that's the case, don't kid yourself into thinking we'd have any hope of making the playoffs.

backe is fine as a #4 starter if the first 3 are all hall of famers pitching to their capabilities. those days are long gone, and there is no way in hell backe is anything close to a viable #2.

Yes, many. While the surgery itself doesn't make the player stronger, the rehab can.

http://www.baseballprospectus.com/article.php?articleid=3486

I didn't say he was a #2. I said he was better suited for #3 or 4. You said he was dogs*** outside of his playoff performances...which were nothing short of fantastic...when in fact he was pitching very well prior to the injury last season.

[The Cat]

VERY good point. so he should be our #1, right?

No, because Oswalt's going to be better than this. But in his three years as a starter, Backe's ERA is around the 4.4 range. That's a starter on almost any team in the league. He's not No. 2 material, but he's a decent, quality starter, and to compare that to Carlos Hernandez (post-injury) and call it dog**** is ridiculous.

[xishi]

brandon backe. meh.

[Rocket G]

WTF? Woody Williams is not gonna be traded.

Not because he's playing well, just because he won't.

[htownbball]

hopefully backe can come back and actually pitch. lots of pitchers come back with more velocity, hardly any come back with the same command they used to have.

[Nick]

hopefully backe can come back and actually pitch. lots of pitchers come back with more velocity, hardly any come back with the same command they used to have.

And some come back better than they ever were... see Matt Morris.

[OldManBernie]

WTF? Woody Williams is not gonna be traded.

Not because he's playing well, just because he won't.

He won't because he has been stinking it up this year (last start not included). I would love to trade him just to get his salary off the books for next year.