Checking in on a few AL West clubs…
- The Astros made shortstop Carlos Correa a late scratch for their game Tuesday after he complained of tightness in his lower back, per Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle. Considering how important Correa is to the World Series contenders’ cause, not to mention his history of back issues, it looked like a startling development for the club. Manager A.J. Hinch brushed off concerns about Correa’s status, though, saying: “It sounds a lot worse than what it seems like it is. But when you make a proactive move there’s going to be some sense of curiosity as to what it is. But it is very important for us to be smart this week.”
- While Correa appears to be fine, teammate Collin McHugh continues to look as if he’s done for the season. The Astros halted the right-hander’s throwing program last week after a setback with his injured elbow, and he still hasn’t resumed throwing, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com tweets. With that in mind, we may have seen McHugh take the mound in a Houston uniform for the last time. The sixth-year Astro is set to become a free agent after the season. Overall, the year has been an injury-riddled disappointment for McHugh, but he has rebounded as a reliever after beginning 2019 in disastrous fashion as a starter.
- It’s “fairly evident” Rangers outfielder Joey Gallo won’t play again this season, Jeff Wilson of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram writes. Gallo, who has been out since June 24 with a right hamate fracture, hasn’t swung a bat during the recovery process. With the season just about over for the eliminated Rangers, there’s no sense in rushing the star slugger back. Meanwhile, designated hitter Hunter Pence is definitely done for the year, Wilson relays. The Rangers have also had to go for a while without Pence, whom a back injury has shelved for just over a month. While the soon-to-be 37-year-old Pence wants to return to the Rangers in 2020, it’s unclear how motivated they’ll be to re-sign the pending free agent.
- After an arduous recovery from the fractured right tibia he suffered July 2, it appears Angels infielder Tommy La Stella will make it back this season. Assuming La Stella gets through a base-running session unscathed on Wednesday, he could see time at DH during the Angels’ season-ending series against Houston, Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com reports. La Stella’s devastating injury came shortly before what would have been the 30-year-old’s first All-Star appearance – an honor he earned thanks to a .300/.353/.495 line and a career-high 16 home runs in 312 plate appearances.
hope la stella comes back healthy and even better!
Always tough to see a guy having a career year go down, especially on a freak accident like that.
You never know if he’ll have another year like that.
Would have loved to see a healthy Gallo amd end result….he’s a true threat of 60plus
Correa hurt – shocking
I know people are different and stuff.
Joey Gallo hasn’t even SWUNG A BAT 3+ months after he fractured is hamate bone.
Meanwhile, Jose Ramirez with the EXACT same injury HITS A GRAND SLAM his first PA back after missing less than a month. And proceeds to hit ANOTHER home run.
I know what surgeon I’m going to if I break my hamate bone.
That is odd, isn’t it?
Makes you wonder
if he cares…..
A-Roids can help, give him a call.
If it were up to me , in light of Correa’s health history I would move him for some highly rated prospects while he still has team control , dump Reddick and use the money for those two guys to make every effort to sign Gerrit Cole. The guy is a beast, with him , Verlander and Grenkie, you will have a stud rotation for at least 3 more years. The other two spots are easily filled with guys already in the system. There are a couple with nice potential. Everyone knows the way to win is three things, Pitching, Pitching, and more Pitching.
It will take way more than what Correa and Reddick are making to re-sign Cole. He will be getting around $30M/year so that means a $150-$200M commitment over the next 5-7 years. The only way the Astros will manage to keep Cole will be if Jim Crane is willing to spend as much every year as the big market teams do.
I think you are correct on your numbers, but when you figure it will take 20M + to resign Correa and the 12M+ you are already paying Roddick, that will get you there or pretty close.
Correa isn’t aging well.
Another Tulowiski?
That’s an interesting comparison with Correa & Tulo. Fair point.