Retroactive to the 10th, when he was put on the 10-day list (or at least that's how the rules used to be). So really he's only on the 44-day DL now. Also, he now doesn't count against the 40-man roster.
I'm not saying bench him, but at what point does Castro start to take some of Maldonado's AB's? I know the pitchers really like him, but it's a good AB if he even puts the ball in play right now.
Usually I will look at game logs for small sample sizes on relievers. Then look at earned runs, hits, walks, HBP, inherited runners, and inherited runs scored. He's on a one appearance streak of not allowing an earned run. 5 of 7 inherited runners have scored. I'd like to see the Astros get another blow out win and let Smith go for 2 innings. He hasn't pitched since the 22nd.
I think the catcher playing time has been managed well so far, and it’s too early to demote Maldy. Maldonado needs another 100-150 pa before there should be any significant change in that depth chart. But obviously a 45% k rate is unplayable regardless of how good he is defensively or how much he means to the pitching staff.
Every 10 games Castro plays he gets 250k more in salary next year up to 2 million. Shouldn't be a major consideration if Maldonado continues to struggle like he has, but going to suck if Castro is making 5.5 million next year. That would mean the Astros could be paying 10.5 million for Maldonado and Castro next season...
With the question marks surrounding 4 of the top 5 SP (McCullers and Urquidy traditionally not going deep, Odorizzi and Valdez having injury concerns) and the good results from the fill-ins (Emanuel, Garcia, and Javier all have thrown well), I would really like to see them tandem all the SP except Greinke once everyone is healthy. That would provide insurance against injuries, allow the young guys to get opportunities, and manage innings limits. Something like: Greinke Valdez/Garcia McCullers/Bielak Odorizzi/Emanuel Javier/Urquidy That would make it very likely they get thru 7 innings with just those pitchers most games, with Pressly, Stanek, Smith, and one other guy (Raley, Paredes, Baez, James, or Pruitt) taking the later innings. Abreu, Solomon, Solis, Ivey, Scrubb, Taylor and Rodriguez would be on the 40 man as available fill ins in AAA.
I'm skeptical Smith will be of much use unless he can recapture some/all of the velo he has lost since 2019.
I doubt that is how the Astros play it. I think they will have 2 long relief guys out of Garcia, Bielak, and Emanual. They will hope the starter goes long and if he goes 6-7 they will use the late inning relievers (Paredes, Stanek, Pressly, and whoever else emerges). Then if the starter goes 5 innings or less they will use the long relief guys for as long as they are getting outs. If guys with options get burned out they will be replaced with fresher arms from the alternative site/minor leagues. Pretty much what they have been doing now. They aren't going to plan out regular tandems.
I agree that Houston is unlikely to deploy tandems, but I think that tandems would be more effective than the more traditional method you described. More likely is that there will continue to be injuries such that the staff is never fully healthy and they are forced to just pitch whoever is available, much like they have done over this first month of the season.
I agree they aren't going to plan out that this guy has to pitch on this day. I do hope the Astros get to the point that the long relievers are given X days rest, and then pitch either that day or the next day (in rare circumstances will the Astros not to need a long reliever in two consecutive games, but in those days the long reliever gets pushed to a third day). I think the Astros depth in pitching is in guys that can go multiple innings, but maybe not 5-6 regularly. These guys need rest to maintain their arms in case they are needed to spot start. I'm a little surprised in Bielak this year as he had nothing working at the end of last year. I'd add Solomon and Ivey to the list of Garcia, Bielak, and Emanuel (he can probably go more than just a 2-3 innings, but can fit that role) as guys I think that may fit this role. Abreu might join this group if he can find some Ks as well as Pruitt if he pitches. On the high leverage relievers, it hasn't shown up in results, but I think Raley is looking better, and probably will be better going forward. I hope Taylor can find his slider on this IL stint. His fastball is still great, but he's just a 1-pitch pitcher at this point.
His ERA has dropped his last 2 appearances. He's also only allowed 1 inherited runner to score all year. Last year he had an incredibly low WHIP with the Astros of .750. His career WHIP is 1.41ish which is close to where he is this year. His FIP is 4.54 versus 3.94 last year. So he's not that far off. His walks are up this year and so are his H/9. Didn't he have some minor injury or something? I remember the catcher going out or something. Hopefully he is past that and can continue to pitch better.
He had a back thing to start the season. He got off to a slow start last year with Reds and Astros, but was dynamite last couple of months or so including the playoffs. After his first three starts this season, he's basically striking out, walking people, and suppressing homers like he did at end of last season and playoffs (7.20 ERA/3.49 FIP/1.93xFIP in that span). Only difference is that it seems everyone that has gotten on base against him, scores (27% LOB is comically low). He'll be fine if he can keep his FIP in the 3.50-4 range. With his limited track record hard to guess what he'll be.
I'm hoping Garcia can give Baker 2 innings in relief every other day after the pitching staff gets healthy. Garcia could be the bridge guy to Stanek,Pressly.
