Headlines

  • Blue Jays, George Springer Closing In On Deal
  • Blue Jays, Kirby Yates Agree To Deal
  • Don Sutton Passes Away
  • White Sox Sign Liam Hendriks
  • Mets Fire GM Jared Porter
  • Padres Acquire Joe Musgrove In 3-Team Trade
  • Previous
  • Next
Register
Login
  • Hoops Rumors
  • Pro Football Rumors
  • Pro Hockey Rumors

MLB Trade Rumors

  • Home
  • Teams
    • AL East
      • Baltimore Orioles
      • Boston Red Sox
      • New York Yankees
      • Tampa Bay Rays
      • Toronto Blue Jays
    • AL Central
      • Chicago White Sox
      • Cleveland Indians
      • Detroit Tigers
      • Kansas City Royals
      • Minnesota Twins
    • AL West
      • Houston Astros
      • Los Angeles Angels
      • Oakland Athletics
      • Seattle Mariners
      • Texas Rangers
    • NL East
      • Atlanta Braves
      • Miami Marlins
      • New York Mets
      • Philadelphia Phillies
      • Washington Nationals
    • NL Central
      • Chicago Cubs
      • Cincinnati Reds
      • Milwaukee Brewers
      • Pittsburgh Pirates
      • St. Louis Cardinals
    • NL West
      • Arizona Diamondbacks
      • Colorado Rockies
      • Los Angeles Dodgers
      • San Diego Padres
      • San Francisco Giants
  • About
    • MLB Trade Rumors
    • Tim Dierkes
    • Writing team
    • Advertise
    • Archives
  • Contact
  • Tools
    • 2020-21 Top 50 MLB Free Agents With Predictions
    • 2020-21 MLB Free Agent Tracker
    • 2020-21 MLB Free Agent List
    • Projected Arbitration Salaries For 2021
    • 2021 MLB Arbitration Tracker
    • Transaction Tracker
    • Extension Tracker
    • Agency Database
    • Last 100 Comments
  • NBA/NFL/NHL
    • Hoops Rumors
    • Pro Football Rumors
    • Pro Hockey Rumors
  • App
  • Chats
Go To Pro Hockey Rumors
Go To Hoops Rumors

Astros To Start Jose Urquidy In Game Three; Zack Greinke Battling Arm Soreness

By Mark Polishuk | October 7, 2020 at 11:30am CDT

October 7: Doctors have told Greinke that there were no signs of structural damage in his arm, per Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle and others (via Twitter). That’s great news for the Astros, but there’s still no word on whether or not Greinke will be available to pitch in the divisional series.

If Greinke can’t go in a potential game 4, Cristian Javier could get the start, but Javier will also be available out of the bullpen today, per The Athletic’s Jake Kaplan (via Twitter). If they win today, after all, they can rest easy and not have to worry about Greinke’s readiness until the ALCS next week.

October 6: The Astros have a commanding 2-0 lead in their best-of-five ALDS matchup with the Athletics, though not without some uncertainty in their pitching rotation.  Manager Dusty Baker told Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle (Twitter links) and other reporters that righty Jose Urquidy will start tomorrow’s Game 3, as Zack Greinke is “ailing some” due to arm soreness.  No specifics were given about Greinke’s condition, though Baker said Greinke has been examined by doctors.

Greinke last pitched during Game 1 of the Astros’ wild card series with the Twins, tossing 79 pitches over four innings and allowing one earned run on two hits and three walks.  While nothing to write home about, Greinke’s outing nonetheless represented his best work in over a month, as he posted a 5.73 ERA over his final seven starts and 37 2/3 innings of the regular season.  This isn’t to say that Greinke’s current arm problem contributed to these struggles, however, as Rome noted that Greinke was on the roster for both the wild card round and the ALDS, and the right-hander was even throwing during Sunday’s team workout.

Pitching injuries have been a major story of Houston’s season, and the idea of the Astros being on the doorstep of the ALCS without either a healthy Greinke or without Justin Verlander (who made only one start before suffering the forearm injury that eventually led to Tommy John surgery) would have seemed inconceivable.  The Astros posted only a 29-31 record during the season, yet solid work from starters like Framber Valdez, Cristian Javier, Lance McCullers Jr., and Urquidy helped carry Houston into the postseason despite an inconsistent offense.

This work has continued into October.  The Astros allowed just two runs during their two-game sweep of the Twins, and while McCullers didn’t pitch well in Game 1 against Oakland, the bats came alive in a 10-5 Houston victory.  Today, Valdez was outstanding in seven innings of two-run ball, leading the Astros to a 5-2 win in Game 2.

While Urquidy obviously have Greinke’s track record, the second-year pitcher has already delivered in the playoffs.  Urquidy started Game 2 against the Twins and allowed one run in 4 1/3 innings of work, and he most memorably threw five shutout innings starting Game 4 of last year’s World Series against the Nationals.

Still, it isn’t good news for the Astros that Greinke’s status for both this series and potentially the best of the postseason could be in question.  The lack of off-days in these playoffs will test Houston’s pitching depth, but the Astros can earn themselves some extra time off if they can eliminate the A’s either tomorrow or in Thursday’s Game 4.

Share 0 Retweet 7 Send via email0

Houston Astros Jose Urquidy Zack Greinke

Brad Peacock Undergoes Arthroscopic Shoulder Surgery
Main
Zach Davies Named Padres Game Two Starter
51 comments
newest oldest

Comments

  1. bhambrave

    4 months ago

    I really hope Houston gets eliminated, almost as much as I hope the Braves win. BTW, I wouldn’t be surprised if they traded for German this off-season. He’d fit right in.

    Like
    Reply
    • GoLandCrabs

      4 months ago

      Not going to happen in this round. A’s are not built for the postseason.

      3 Like
      Reply
    • julyn82001

      4 months ago

      If the A’s weren’t built for the postseason they wouldn’t have ousted a powerful Chisox team in any possible way. Tomorrow is a new game…

      2 Like
      Reply
      • GoLandCrabs

        4 months ago

        The White Sox came in limping and are still raw. Future is bright but 2020 was a little early for them to be a serious contender. A’s offense is not good enough to win in October and neither is their ragtag pitching staff. I don’t want to hear about Chapmans injury. Yordan who is a better hitter is out for HOU.

        2 Like
        Reply
        • DarkSide830

          4 months ago

          they completely overmanaged that last game. i think in a 5 game series CHW would have won. A’s are not all they are cracked up to be.

          Like
          Reply
        • jessaumodesto

          4 months ago

          And the A’s are the 2 seed! They weren’t just supposed to win they were supposed to do it easily

          Like
          Reply
      • jessaumodesto

        4 months ago

        Everyone on the White Sox got hurt

        Like
        Reply
      • pc01

        3 months ago

        White Sox lineup vs Astros lineup… cmon. Just cmon. Make your trash can jokes all you want, but… cmon.

        Like
        Reply
        • muddyddg

          3 months ago

          I didn’t hear any trash cans did you?
          But who needs trash cans when they’re all wearing buzzers now!
          Ha

          Like
          Reply
    • 12isbetter

      4 months ago

      Doesn’t he fit the Yankees more?!!! Come on dude, take the blinders off and get a brain

      1 Like
      Reply
      • bhambrave

        4 months ago

        Astros are scum.

        Like
        Reply
    • Prospectnvstr

      4 months ago

      bhambrave: I’m on the same book as you, just a different chapter. I’m hoping to see An Astros vs Braves World Series, with the Braves winning. I see the Astros as a team like some people see Barry Bonds: An excellent team (great player) who didn’t have to cheat but chose to do so. Just like Bonds, the talent was there BEFORE the cheating started.

      2 Like
      Reply
      • jjd002

        3 months ago

        Bingo. And just like Bonds they were only doing what a majority of the league was already doing.

        1 Like
        Reply
      • RunDMCRunDMC

        3 months ago

        If HOU doesn’t have at least Greinke, how in the world are they getting past NYY — even with NYY having their own rotation questions? Imagine Cole facing HOU with the World Series on the line.

        Like
        Reply
        • leftykoufax

          3 months ago

          Don’t count the Rays out just yet.

          Like
          Reply
      • leftykoufax

        3 months ago

        The braves beat the Dodgers, Uh No.

        Like
        Reply
  2. jakethesnizake

    4 months ago

    Greinke musta banged his arm on a trash can. Poor guy.

    1 Like
    Reply
    • 92jays

      4 months ago

      Incorrect. They use buzzers now.

      Like
      Reply
      • jakethesnizake

        3 months ago

        My bad, he musta banged his arm in Correa’s vibrator.

        1 Like
        Reply
    • Captain Dunsel

      4 months ago

      Don’t be a grouch, Oscar.

      Like
      Reply
  3. bayareabenny

    4 months ago

    It would be so 2020 to see the Astros win the WS.

    1 Like
    Reply
    • mlbnyyfan

      4 months ago

      The A’s are done. The playoffs should of reset the seeding Astros and Rays should be playing.

      1 Like
      Reply
      • pc01

        3 months ago

        Wait… what? Now the seeding – with the Astros at the bottom of the bracket – isn’t fair?? That’s rich. Oh, a NYY fan. Now I get it.

        1 Like
        Reply
    • JDGoat

      4 months ago

      I blame that cancerous Asterisk tour twitter account for this.

      Like
      Reply
    • harden-westbrook-mvps

      3 months ago

      That would be the only good thing to happen this year.

      Like
      Reply
  4. Asfan0780

    4 months ago

    I’m tired of these playoff failures, I guess it’s less painful than a game 5 choke jobs in the past lol. But it’s also uncompetitive just like the 2018 and 2019 wildcard games. Oh well, whenever they get eliminated I’ll just convince myself 2020 wasnt even a full, legit season , coping mechanisms lol. If only semien didn’t make that dumb error in game 1

    2 Like
    Reply
  5. jessaumodesto

    4 months ago

    It won’t matter they’re facing the A’s. They could start Dusty Baker on the mound and they’d win

    1 Like
    Reply
  6. Lrtexasman

    4 months ago

    Bang, bang, here we come!

    Like
    Reply
  7. Coach Bowen

    3 months ago

    Fellas, I know this won’t make some of you happy, but I was wondering: Is it possible to let go of this constant bashing of the Astros and just enjoy the playoffs? It’s not that they haven’t been bashed for almost a year on every baseball site and in just about every article written. Okay, so you’re not an Astros fan — maybe having a villian is good. But even if never-ending disdain is deserved, offering constant derogatory comments does not make you rise above them at all. At some point, forgive and move on. You can hate them — I hate the Yankees, I guess, but it’s healthy. I’m not going to personally attack them, even though they stole signs electronically a couple of years ago. We won’t even have to go there — but enjoy this baseball season. Hate the ‘Stros, even. But they’re not cheating now; so there’s nothing to complain about. Thanks for being fair.

    1 Like
    Reply
    • harden-westbrook-mvps

      3 months ago

      We’re used to it, people want to hate the Astros and the Rockets so let them. People hate winners, that’s all there is to it.

      1 Like
      Reply
      • GoLandCrabs

        3 months ago

        The Rockets are certainly not winners. They are an above average stepping stone for real contenders path to the Finals.

        1 Like
        Reply
      • Killjoy391

        3 months ago

        No, people hate cheaters.

        3 Like
        Reply
        • FredMcGriff for the HOF

          3 months ago

          If you hate cheating you can put the Yankees at the top of the cheating list. Cano, Arod, Clemens, Pettitte, Giambi, Melky, Sheffield etc. Performance enhancing drugs (peds) are going to help you cheat more than trash cans or buzzers.

          1 Like
          Reply
        • pojack

          3 months ago

          And those guys are playing now? Are you suggesting jumping back into a time machine?

          Like
          Reply
        • dumbcommentresponder

          3 months ago

          Epic whataboutism bro

          Like
          Reply
    • julyn82001

      3 months ago

      Can or no can, how do we know they are not cheating now?

      Like
      Reply
      • lsujedi

        3 months ago

        If Altuve were cheating, he might be batting a bit more above .200.

        1 Like
        Reply
    • vtadave

      3 months ago

      Answer coach is: no.

      Like
      Reply
  8. 2020Sucks

    3 months ago

    Yes, the Astros cheated in 2017, but so did a lot of teams. And MLB knew it, and looked the other way, just like they did when roids were rampant in late 90s/early 2000.

    It wasn’t good for baseball, if word leaked out that a lot of MLB teams were cheating. A jaded Mike Fiers went to the media, so MLB had no choice to then go after the Astros.

    The Red Sox got their hands slapped by MLB. The Yankees have been protected by MLB, by not unsealing the report. The Dodgers were accused of cheating by the Brewers. And there are more accusations for other teams as well.

    But it’s just best for baseball for pretty much everyone to just think the Astros were the main cheaters, and let them take the rap for it. Knowing your own team cheated, but have not been publicly labeled yet, I guess, for the time being, it makes most of you able to just the ridicule the Astros.

    And let’s be honest, MLB and most of you are satisfied with Astros being known as the only cheater being the case. Let’s just keep chastising them, cuz it’s easy to do. Most of you all just like to b**** anyway in life, so for baseball, let it be against the Astros.

    As they say, ignorance is bliss.

    2 Like
    Reply
    • johnrealtime

      3 months ago

      This. I am absolutely against PED users and want them to fail but I truly believe what the astros did was happening all over the league. So I really can’t get upset about it and obsess over it like so many on here. I’m not an astros fan but I really want them to win the WS to rub It in the faces of all the fools repeating the same tired few jokes on every astros post. Troll if you must but be original if you are going to

      3 Like
      Reply
      • wild bill tetley

        3 months ago

        Yep. Cheating in baseball has been a pattern of behavior since the 1800’s. Nothing has changed except the methods. People get away with it. People are still getting away with it. Condemn the Astros, sure. Let’s stop pretending 29 other teams are not doing their part to gain an edge. Pure ignorance. Astros were caught while others have continued to slide under the radar. There will be a new revelation of another kind down the road committed by another organization.

        2 Like
        Reply
    • jjd002

      3 months ago

      Thank you. Nice to see other team’s fans say the same stuff Houston fans have been saying. I mean it’s common sense.

      Like
      Reply
    • 92jays

      3 months ago

      All the Astros bashing comments will stop once the Astros forfeit their ws title and altuve gives judge his mvp award

      Like
      Reply
      • 2020Sucks 2

        3 months ago

        Should the Red Sox forfeit their 2018 trophy?

        In 2017, Altuve hit better on the road than at home…

        Maybe Judge shouldn’t get the award, even if Altuve gave it back. The report on the Yankees was sealed, not released for the public…. I’m sure if it exonerated the Yankees, MLB would have been happy to release it….

        BTW – When Carlos Beltran came back to the Astros in 2017, He was on record saying the Astros were way behind their sign stealing… If you remember correctly, Beltran was at the Yankees beforehand…

        I now some people have hard people in connecting the dots.

        Like
        Reply
      • jjd002

        3 months ago

        Why would they forfeit it when other teams were doing the same thing? They had a butt hurt players who went to the media, so they became the fall guys.

        Like
        Reply
  9. 2020Sucks 2

    3 months ago

    Yes, the Astros cheated in 2017, but so did a lot of teams. And MLB knew it, and looked the other way, just like they did when roids were rampant in late 90s/early 2000.

    It wasn’t good for baseball, if word leaked out that a lot of MLB teams were cheating. A jaded Mike Fiers went to the media, so MLB had no choice to then go after the Astros.

    The Red Sox got their hands slapped by MLB. The Yankees have been protected by MLB, by not unsealing the report. The Dodgers were accused of cheating by the Brewers. And there are more accusations for other teams as well.

    But it’s just best for baseball for pretty much everyone to just think the Astros were the main cheaters, and let them take the rap for it. Knowing your own team cheated, but have not been publicly labeled yet, I guess, for the time being, it makes most of you able to just the ridicule the Astros.

    And let’s be honest, MLB and most of you are satisfied with Astros being known as the only cheater being the case. Let’s just keep chastising them, cuz it’s easy to do. Most of you all just like to b**** anyway in life, so for baseball, let it be against the Astros.

    As they say, ignorance is bliss.

    Like
    Reply
    • bravesfan

      3 months ago

      You feel good now that’s out of your system…. doesn’t change a thing lol

      Like
      Reply
      • 92jays

        3 months ago

        Cheaters are cheaters.

        Like
        Reply
  10. Rangers29

    3 months ago

    Is it really a good thing (for them) if the Astros win today? That would be a sweep, but the Yankees and Rays will probably go 5 games, keeping them fresher than the Astros. The Stros’ would have to wait till next week to play another game, so is it worth it? Obviously it’s nice to sweep, but I wonder if that could play into the Yankees or Rays favor.

    Like
    Reply
    • Asfan0780

      3 months ago

      If affords them some extra rest for greinke. Although who knows how much a sore elbow can improve in a handful of days

      Like
      Reply
  11. leftykoufax

    3 months ago

    Go Rays!

    Like
    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Please login to leave a reply.
Log in Register

ad: 300x250_1_MLB

    Top Stories

    Blue Jays, George Springer Closing In On Deal

    Blue Jays, Kirby Yates Agree To Deal

    Don Sutton Passes Away

    White Sox Sign Liam Hendriks

    Mets Fire GM Jared Porter

    Padres Acquire Joe Musgrove In 3-Team Trade

    Nationals To Sign Jon Lester

    Phillies Sign Archie Bradley

    Yankees, Corey Kluber Agree To Deal

    Yankees, Aaron Judge Avoid Arbitration

    Recent

    Blue Jays, George Springer Closing In On Deal

    Latest On George Springer, Blue Jays

    Blue Jays, Kirby Yates Agree To Deal

    Trade/FA Notes: Santander, Profar, Bart, Yates, T. Williams

    Don Sutton Passes Away

    Rangers Sign Hunter Wood To Minor League Deal

    Alderson: Mets Won’t Hire New GM This Offseason

    Pitching Rumors: Hand, Jeffress, Anibal, Teheran

    White Sox Sign Liam Hendriks

    Diamondbacks Sign Ryan Buchter To Minors Contract

    Latest Rumors & News

    Latest Rumors & News

    • Trevor Bauer Rumors
    • Kris Bryant Rumors
    • J.T. Realmuto Rumors
    • George Springer Rumors
    • Marcell Ozuna Rumors
    Trade Rumors App for iOS and Android

    MLBTR Features

    MLBTR Features

    • Go Ad-Free
    • How To Set Up Notifications For Breaking News
    • 2020-21 Top 50 MLB Free Agents With Predictions
    • 2020-21 MLB Free Agent Tracker
    • 2020-21 MLB Free Agent List
    • Projected Arbitration Salaries For 2021
    • 2021 MLB Arbitration Tracker
    • Transaction Tracker
    • Extension Tracker
    • Agency Database
    • MLBTR On Twitter
    • MLBTR On Facebook
    • Team Facebook Pages
    • Hoops Rumors
    • Pro Football Rumors
    • Pro Hockey Rumors

    Rumors By Team

    • Angels Rumors
    • Astros Rumors
    • Athletics Rumors
    • Blue Jays Rumors
    • Braves Rumors
    • Brewers Rumors
    • Cardinals Rumors
    • Cubs Rumors
    • Diamondbacks Rumors
    • Dodgers Rumors
    • Giants Rumors
    • Indians Rumors
    • Mariners Rumors
    • Marlins Rumors
    • Mets Rumors
    • Nationals Rumors
    • Orioles Rumors
    • Padres Rumors
    • Phillies Rumors
    • Pirates Rumors
    • Rangers Rumors
    • Rays Rumors
    • Red Sox Rumors
    • Reds Rumors
    • Rockies Rumors
    • Royals Rumors
    • Tigers Rumors
    • Twins Rumors
    • White Sox Rumors
    • Yankees Rumors

    ad: 160x600_MLB

    Navigation

    • Sitemap
    • Archives
    • Feeds by Team

    MLBTR INFO

    • Advertise
    • About
    • Commenting Policy
    • Privacy Policy

    Connect

    • Contact Us
    • Twitter
    • Facebook
    • RSS Feed

    MLB Trade Rumors is not affiliated with Major League Baseball, MLB or MLB.com

    hide arrowsFOX Sports Engage Network scroll to top
    Close

    Desktop Version | Switch To Mobile Version