A forearm strain has kept Astros right-hander Lance McCullers Jr. out of action since Aug. 4, but he’s progressing toward a return. McCullers threw a 30-pitch bullpen session Saturday, saying afterward (via Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle) that it represented “a big step,” even though he didn’t throw any curveballs. The plan is for McCullers to mix in his famous curve during his next bullpen session, which is scheduled for Wednesday. If that goes well, there may be a clearer picture regarding a potential return date for McCullers, whom the Astros are likely to use in relief when he does come back.
- More from Rome, who delves into the surprising struggles of Astros shortstop Carlos Correa. The 23-year-old has been woeful since Aug. 10, when he returned from an almost two-month layoff. Correa was on the shelf with a lower back injury, and he revealed Saturday that his back has occasionally been a problem since he came off the DL, noting that “it’s just been hard to get in a rhythm.” Correa doesn’t want to use his back as an excuse for his slump, Rome writes, but he admitted that “it definitely has played a role in the way my swing has changed a little bit and some of the bad habits I’ve acquired.” When he went on the DL, Correa was sitting on a .265/.351/.474 batting line. He’s now at .242/.326/.415 – good for an 84-point drop in his OPS.
- Athletics southpaw Brett Anderson is nearing a return from a forearm strain, per Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle. Anderson, who has been out since Aug. 28, may rejoin the A’s rotation as early as Wednesday or Thursday, Slusser reports, as the 30-year-old offered an encouraging assessment after a bullpen session Saturday. His absence, not to mention those of other injured A’s starters (including Sean Manaea), has helped steer the playoff contenders toward incorporating more bullpen games. But once Anderson returns, Oakland may cut down on those, Slusser writes.
- In an effort to evaluate their younger players, the Rangers are removing right-hander Bartolo Colon from their rotation in favor of fellow righty Adrian Sampson, Jeff Wilson of the Star-Telegram reports. Unless Texas plugs Colon back into its rotation within the next few weeks, it’s fair to wonder whether the 45-year-old has made his last major league start. Colon wants to pitch in 2019, but whether he’ll draw much interest in the offseason is in question. The estimable Colon’s effectiveness has evaporated dating back to last season, including during his 144 1/3 innings with the Rangers this year. Across 26 appearances and 24 starts, he has posted a 5.55 ERA/5.31 FIP. As a result, he may be in line to finish 2018 (and perhaps his career) as a reliever.
Bartolo wants to pitch in 2019? Good luck..
Some pple want to be taller, others want to get younger..
And your mom wants me but like Julio Franco give a person a chance. He revived his career…you didn’t since you are just a poster….
He is being bumped out of Texas’ rotation…
I think his time is running out. (He’s 45 y.o)
Tell me a pitcher in recent history that has had success in this Texas park….without a DL stint, HR probe, ext.
Btw…how’s cole doing after a trade out???
NotaGM…..Hamels and virtually all the other Rangers SP have/had a big gap in home/away splits. Colon was the exception.
Home… IP…75.2 Slash against….286/.319/.555 HR allowed…16 ERA…5.82
Away… IP…71.2 Slash against….284/.308/.509 HR allowed…14 ERA…5.27
Pitching elsewhere didn’t, and most likely won’t,help in the future
I’m of the minority hoping he returns 2019, but you have to acknowledge how unlikely:
144.1 IP He has a 5.55 ERA, (5.31 FIP)
81K in 144.1 IP and opponents batting .285 off him
His 30 Home runs allowed is #2 in MLB
He will sign a minor league deal. I will bet your lackful knowledge of baseball and mom on that.
I don’t know why but I too hope Bartolo gets at least a few big league starts in 2019. Wouldn’t bother me at all if the Giants signed him to a MiLB deal and then call him up when the Shark goes on the DL again.
He would be perfect for a team that actually wants to lose. Orioles would be a great landing spot for him. soak up some innings, give up some runs….win win
“Lackful” isn’t a word; “lack” and “full”contradict each other. Even if it were a word, how could you bet something that (according to you) doesn’t exist?
More importantly, the only thing you accomplish with all the “your mom” nonsense is to demonstrate that you are either 11 years old or that you live in your own parents’ basement.
You can do better.
Notagm is a word on Urban dictionary too!!
Orioles? Oh, I rather think not. He’d give up 50 homers by the All-Star break.
So is butt pirate
Damn, you sound really dumb with that statement. Luckily, intelligence won’t prevent us from enjoying baseball. Good luck.
What’s is baseball???
Give him a chance? Players like Colon are keeping younger, better players from having a chance. He’s hanging on for stats in an absurd belief he’s going to the HOF.
Not if a team elects to sign him. That’s the team’s decision to sign him meaning they are blocking potential talent.
Bart’s job is to pitch, if a Team pays him to pitch. His job is not to step aside for someone else.
He’s a pitcher, not a talent evaluator and decision maker.
I hope some rebuilding club signs Bartolo, maybe Baltimore? It’s always fantastic to see that guy on the mound. I wish him nothing but the best.
Baltimore, of which I’m a fan, will not acquire him. They have two very good guys in Cobb and Cashner to fill that role.
But he’s an “innings eater”…they’re bad innings but he eats them. Time to go on an innings diet and see if the youngsters can get it done.
Colon signed a minor league contract this year and still ended up pitching the majors as a starter at his age. Someone will sign him next year to minor league contract as depth. Don’t be too surprised if he starts in the majors at some time.
Hopefully the Rangers will bring him back