The Astros have placed ace Dallas Keuchel on the 10-day disabled list with neck discomfort, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com was among those to report (Twitter links). The club has also transferred righty Collin McHugh from the 10-day DL to the 60-day DL, thereby opening up a 40-man roster spot for the just-promoted Francis Martes, tweets Mark Berman of FOX 26.
This is the second DL stint of the year for Keuchel, both of which have come on account of neck issues. Keuchel landed on the shelf in mid-May with a pinched nerve in his neck, but he made a quick return to the mound in that instance. For now, there’s no timetable for a Keuchel comeback, per McTaggart.
An extended absence for the left-handed Keuchel would obviously be a significant concern to Houston, even though it owns the majors’ best record (42-18) and already leads its division by 12 games. Keuchel is among the team’s most valuable players and, after a down 2016 season, has resembled his Cy Young-winning self from 2015. The 29-year-old has averaged nearly seven innings per start in his 11 appearances, having combined for 75 2/3 frames, and posted a microscopic 1.67 ERA. Along the way, Keuchel has helped his cause with the second-highest K/9 of his career (8.21), a low BB/9 (2.14) and the majors’ best ground-ball rate (67.4 percent).
The Astros now have four starters on the DL – Keuchel, McHugh, Charlie Morton and Joe Musgrove – leaving them with an iffy group behind righty Lance McCullers Jr. McHugh’s move to the 60-day DL is retroactive to the beginning of the season, so it won’t affect his timeline, Jake Kaplan of the Houston Chronicle notes (on Twitter). An elbow injury has kept him from taking the hill this year.
Damn. I hate seeing this guy miss starts.
4 injured starters? This is scary.
Time to deal for Sonny Gray.
No it’s not. 12 game lead. West is probably over. Play for October and not overreact.
Last time I checked, we’re barely 1/3 of the way through the season with 4 months to go.
It ain’t over until it’s over. Texas is capable of catching them if that ASTRO rotation continues to have these issues.
Pitching and defense generally go very deep into the playoffs and offense only teams can be handled that way.
Cole from Pitt
Given their offensive prowess HOU could get by with a cadre of mediocre starters for a month or two, but the need to acquire at least one more front line SP by the deadline is now undeniable.
Agree. Dealing now though shows there desperate. I’d wait until guys are back. I think your right…..one more front liner puts them over the top.
I keep seeing rumors around the Astros making a run at Sonny Gray or Gerritt Cole, while both are good and provide a strong upside with their youth and control-ability, if the team is really in a win now mode, wouldn’t it be better to go after a veteran? I’d like to see them get Verlander or similar – experienced veteran who has pitched at the highest levels and been to the World Series. Look at the effects of the veterans in the batting lineup, I’d rather see a mentor in the bullpen.
They aren’t going to get Verlander…
Just wishful thinking, but I’d rather see them land an experienced guy instead of someone to build around if they are serious about making a run this year.
The Tigers will never be able to trade Miguel Cabrera or Justin Verlander. They are not worth anywhere near what they are being paid and their contracts will severely handicap any club that acquires them.
The Tigers will be bad for a very long time to come.
If they give us Verlander yes. Otherwise go with the upside…..because the prospects go to those guys. Now if they include Kate Upton…..maybe.
Kate who? We’ve got Astros girl! link to totalprosports.com