The 13 position players leave several options to improve this team. Brown does not have to and simply should not wait to see if Brantley returns. Maldy, Abreu, Altuve, Pena, Bregman, and Tucker are cemented on to the roster. Yordan and Brantley will require spots if healthy. That leaves 5 spots that can be upgraded if possible. 1) Dubon: Has become an exceptional utility man who is also about league average with the bat. An inexpensive and very valuable backup at multiple positions is unlikely to be upgraded but possible. 2) Diaz: Rookie was best position prospect in system and has rare offensive potential while also playing good defense. Needs reps to continue development. May be catcher of the future but not the now. Could possibly be part of trade but nothing short of a controllable star would motivate Brown to include him. 3) Meyers: Affordable and exceptional CF who has not yet peaked offensively but still slightly above average. Limited to 1 position. At least in 2023 it is possible but not likely to improve his position. 4) McCormick: slightly less affordable and projectable OF who can play all 3 spots at exceptional level. Large platoon splits and good not great bat make him less than ideal everyday player and easily improved on. 5) Julks, Kessinger, and Salazar: AAA players who are very easily improved upon and only in Houston because of lack of options. If Yordan and Brantley are healthy, then 1 of Julks, Meyers, or McCormick simply must be optioned or traded. A team can't have 6 who only play OF out of 13 players. Dubon's ability to play 6 positions really covers for lack of versatility from other players. I would like to see the roster back to 2 catchers and a run producing bat brought in. If he can play infield that would be a positive but in place of Chas or Meyers it would be OK, as long as Julks is previously gone when Brantley or Yordan activated.
I would say 1 may be likely, just like last year. If Brown can't get a bat that improves the lineup then add a backup catcher that is a big improvement over Salazar then make Diaz that bat at 1B/DH nearly everyday. But Maldy will not be benched. 2 is a simple thing and almost expected.
At some point, Maldy will not be the catcher. On getting a bat. I would not let Brantley affect decision much. There is no reason to get a worse player with or without him.
I effing knew it was the same injury from 2021. He should've gotten the damn surgery after the 2021 offseason. Instead, he'll end up missing almost 3 seasons of ball by the time he's healthy again.
Astros right-handed pitcher Lance McCullers Jr. underwent surgery on his arm to repair it, Astros General Manager Dana Brown announced. As a result of the procedure, McCullers will be out for the remainder of the 2023 season, but is expected to return to pitching during the 2024 season. Astros right-handed pitcher Lance McCullers Jr. underwent surgery on his arm to repair it, Astros General Manager Dana Brown announced. As a result of the procedure, McCullers will be out for the 2024 season, but is expected to return to pitching during the 2025 season. Astros right-handed pitcher Lance McCullers Jr. underwent surgery on his arm to repair it, Astros General Manager Dana Brown announced. As a result of the procedure, McCullers will be out for the 2025 season, but is expected to return to pitching during the 2026 season. Astros right-handed pitcher Lance McCullers Jr. underwent surgery on his arm to repair it, Astros General Manager Dana Brown announced. As a result of the procedure, McCullers will be out for the 2026 season. He is a free agent after the season and we wish him well in his future.
I'm sure he'll be ready for his next injury after he gets over this one. Should have put something in the contract about health.
Not surprising in the slightest with McCullers at this point, pretty much everybody had written him off anyway so it's not even disappointing. I can understand trying to work through it the first time, but they should have just dealt with it after it was reaggravated instead of trying to perpetually ignore it.
I expected nothing from him this season so I'm not particularly disappointed but it is sad that this was not dealt with before he was extended.
I kinda see this as good news assuming he’s ready to pitch start of 2024 and possibly a move to the bullpen. It could have been TJ and he’d be out next year too. We all know he hasn’t been right since he stepped off the mound in Chicago after pitching a gem in the playoffs on short rest. Think the fans need to cut him the break, he’s injury prone but does put it all out on the line regardless of that. I’m thinking the short rest game and the 27 straight curveballs he threw to close out the dirty Yankees in 17.
