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Latest On Astros’ Rotation Battle

By Jeff Todd | February 27, 2019 at 10:15am CDT

Astros righty Josh James has been diagnosed with a strained right quad, skipper A.J. Hinch told reporters including Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle (links to Twitter). The injury “probably takes [James] out of the conversation” for the club’s final rotation spot, per Hinch.

Fortunately, there’s no reason to believe this injury is of long-term concern. To the contrary, James will remain a candidate to break camp on the MLB roster in a relief role. James, who is days away from his 26th birthday, showed eye-popping stuff in both capacities during a brief but exciting 2018 debut.

So, how will the club fill out its rotation? Hinch specifically ruled out some of the club’s most-hyped young arms, making clear that Forrest Whitley, Corbin Martin, and J.B. Bukauskas are still not prepared to jump up to the MLB level (at least as starters).

Rome suggests that there is still a fair bit of competition. Brad Peacock is certainly the most experienced option. He’ll try to fend off younger hurlers Framber Valdez, Brady Rodgers, Cionel Perez, and Rogelio Armenteros.

Until he signs elsewhere, of course, southpaw Dallas Keuchel remains at least a hypothetical possibility. The veteran starter and the Astros’ brass have kept the door open to a return in their public comments, though it seems he’s still hoping to secure a larger commitment from another club.

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Houston Astros Josh James

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View Comments (27)

Comments

  1. Nervehammer

    4 years ago

    Well, if James is out of it, I’m voting for Brad Peacock. Perez would be perfect as a lefty reliever. There’s no way Valdez could hold up last years numbers. Rodgers is not the guy we are looking for. And Armentos has no experience in the majors

    Reply
    • Ruff Kuntry

      4 years ago

      I think Peacock deserves the chance to be a full time starter again. He’s been absolutely brilliant as a long relief guy and a strikeout machine for the astros.

      Reply
      • ldfanatic

        4 years ago

        Was anything but brilliant last year.

        Reply
        • thomasg2018

          4 years ago

          I vote no on Homer Peacock!

  2. astrosfan4life

    4 years ago

    James has great stuff, but it’s best suited for a relief role.

    Reply
  3. BobbyDynamite

    4 years ago

    This might move the needle a little on a reunion with Keuchel.

    Reply
    • jbigz12

      4 years ago

      If only on a ST pact. I can’t see the Astros committing long term dollars to Keuchel with Verlander and Cole pending FA’s. If Keuchel wanted a one year deal and try again, I see no better fit than Houston. But I don’t know what to make of his market at this point.

      Reply
      • CursedRangers

        4 years ago

        Boras is asking for the moon with Dallas: 6 or 7 years at $25-$30M annually. I haven’t seen anything that states they have backed off those demands.

        Reply
        • Flapjax55

          4 years ago

          That’s insanity. He’s a mid to back end rotation guy now. And if he thinks he not then he should take a one year pillow.

        • canocorn

          4 years ago

          Hold out for all you can get.

          — Big Jim McBob (SCTV Farm Report character)

        • jorge78

          4 years ago

          Now that’s going
          waaay back
          Mr. Corn!

        • canocorn

          4 years ago

          R.I.P. – John. Candy

      • Astromariner

        4 years ago

        I think he (via Boras) is waiting for Harper to sign and figure whoever misses out might overpay to get Keuchel.

        Reply
  4. fs54

    4 years ago

    I think putting Brad back in rotation might not be the best idea. He is really great bullpen arm right now. Let’s leave him where he is doing well. I would rather see one of the young guys like Whitley, etc join rotation.

    Reply
    • Nervehammer

      4 years ago

      Clearly Whitley won’t make rotation out of spring tho. I think, competitively speaking, Peacock would do a good job as a number 5 and it’s well deserved for him. He did pretty well in that capacity in 2017

      Reply
  5. Astromariner

    4 years ago

    As an Astros fan, this hurts. I was hyping up James big this offseason and thought he would win the 5th spot for sure. I think we need Keuchel now. Peacock seems better suited for the pen and the other guys just aren’t reliable at this point. Keuchel isn’t an ace but as a 3-4 guy he is reliable. Would 1 yr/$28 M get it done?

    Reply
    • CoachBlake

      4 years ago

      No way he gets 28 million for even a single year. He’d likely accept the QO offer amount at this point and enter next off-season without a loss of pick attached.

      Reply
      • braves4stros

        4 years ago

        I can see Keuchal 1 or 2 years at 15 a year.

        Reply
    • stubby66

      4 years ago

      The beginning of the year you usually can go 2 or 3 weeks without a fifth starter and depending how long James is hurt dont know if your plans really gotta change too much. That or call Bartolo to come in for a couple. I would probably go with Forrest because a veteran that is on opening day gets that guaranteed money even if you release them

      Reply
      • GarryHarris

        4 years ago

        That’s true. Teams really don’t need a fifth starter. They can use a fifth starter by committee and be served just as well. They can do that until mid season.

        I thought Josh James would be the Astros #3 starter by mid season.

        Reply
    • a-a-a-astros

      4 years ago

      He was the best starter we had in 2017. My guess is he gets it until Whitley gets called up.

      Reply
  6. braves4stros

    4 years ago

    I could see Keuchal coming back for a 1 or 2 yr til a new CBA is agreed upon. We will see after Harper signs what Dallas market is going to be.

    Perez or Framber if they have strong springs. Need a lefty in rotation. They both have some filthy stuff. Peackock too valuable in his mid long relief role with McHugh moving back to rotation.

    Reply
    • jjd002

      4 years ago

      Is Miley not going to be in the rotation?

      Reply
      • braves4stros

        4 years ago

        Good question.

        Reply
  7. sheen25

    4 years ago

    Can somebody please tell me why we didn’t sign Nelson Cruz to make up for this uncertainty? Would you rather have Keuchel for $15MM US for a year with a club/mutual on year 2, or Cruz for that same rate?

    Reply
  8. backstage1

    4 years ago

    They made a competitive offer but he chose to sign with the Twins.

    Reply
  9. southern lion

    4 years ago

    I think at some point James moves into the rotation. If I had to guess I’d say probably some time around May.

    Reply

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