Whatever the news are about Brantley, just stop. I don't need or want to hear it. It's not going to happen.
This is absurd. If he's playing in AAA just fine he should be playing in the majors. He doesn't need to play back to back.
Guys, you might not know this, but in the minors, they can't throw low pitches, so Uncle Mike's back is at less risk of injury. Also the wall in the outfield in Sugar Land has a special Tempur Pedic foam padding which reduces the threat of back injury and can be removed and placed horizontally to provide lumbar support during team naps. Hence why he can play for Sugar Land but not for the Astros. Sincerely, Dusty's gut
Everybody wants him to bring him up and play but it's tough. The way we've handled it, the way I've handled it, Mike will thank me, the city will thank me and the organization will thank me later.
He's going to take away ABs from Diaz. Be careful what you wish for. I wouldn't mind if he had a heart felt discussion with the rest of the team (wink wink).
Positive: Brantley takes Julks completely out of the equation with him going to SL after Brantley is activated. Abreu and Brantley likely won't be everyday starters the rest of the season. Diaz's production has gotten to the point where even Dusty will have to give in and give him starts 90%+ of the time the rest of the way.
He can DH with Yanier catching (Yordan has to play the field). Then he can play the field as often as Julks or Meyers playing the field... and Diaz either 1B, DH or C.
If it works out, I'll be happy. I'm skeptical on the Maldy as C days with RHP on the mound that Diaz is going to play every day at 1B, except rest days to allow Brantley to DH and Yordan to play LF. I'd not want Brantley in the OF much. I don't know if Abreu is going to be squeezed out of too much playing time.
I would like to see: Altuve, Bregman, Pena, Yordan, Chas, Tucker, and Diaz play everyday. The season is broken into 6 games at a time the rest of the season, so each week: Maldy starts 4 games and Diaz starts 2 at catcher. I would love less Maldy, but think this is the best we could hope for. Abreu starts 4 games at 1B and Diaz starts 2 Yordan plays 4 games in LF and Chas plays 2. Chas plays 4 games in CF and Meyers plays 2. Diaz, Yordan, and Brantley each play 2 games at DH. Then if Abreu and Brantley get to the point where they are their previous selves and can play more it reduces Maldy and Meyers' playing time because Diaz simply must play everyday in the playoffs.
Finding it hard to believe Brantley is the one pushing for more rehab games. Just activate him. Right now he just needs to replace Julks on the roster so Dusty can't use him. An occasional start or pinch hit is just fine.
Dusty straight up lied about Alvarez's injury status last year... and Yordan does not speak a peep about his physical condition ever since that incident when he said was fine and Dusty said he was not.
I am starting to think they won't call up Brantley until rosters expand to avoid burning options and such.
