The Astros activated reliever Josh James from the 60-day injured list and optioned him to Triple-A Sugar Land last night. A 40-man roster spot was opened earlier in the day when right-hander Ralph Garza was designated for assignment.
James underwent left hip surgery last October, a procedure that originally called for a six-to-eight month recovery timeline. His rehab process was delayed a bit further by a hamstring issue, but the 28-year-old is now healthy enough to serve as a potential bullpen option in Houston down the stretch.
Between 2018-20, James made 68 appearances (including six starts) and tossed 101 2/3 frames, showing the ability to work multiple innings. James broke in with a 2.35 ERA over 23 innings as a rookie but hasn’t replicated that success over the past couple years. The hard-throwing righty has never had issues missing bats, striking out 34.1% of opponents on the strength of a huge 14.7% swinging strike rate over his big league career. James has struggled with control, though, walking an elevated 13.4% of batters faced. Between strike-throwing and health issues, he’s yet to cement himself as a consistent high-leverage reliever to this point, but he’s certainly flashed the upside to potentially do so moving forward.
In other Astros health news, star third baseman Alex Bregman was pulled from his rehab game with Sugar Land after experiencing some hamstring tightness last night, writes Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle. The team called the early removal a precautionary measure, so it’s not clear whether it’ll have a substantial impact on the two-time All-Star’s return timetable. Bregman has been out since June 16 with a quad strain.
Good, we need him to be able to chew up some innings with our starters being banged up.
I’m kind of surprised that we didn’t deal for a swingman type before the deadline. We did some good work improving the bullpen in a cost effective manner though.
No need we have Baez, James and others returning.
Baez was an enigma as a Dodger. He’d have stretches where he couldnt find the zone, or only middle-middle of the zone and he’d be touched up for runs every time. Then the Dodgers would only use him in garbage time and he’d be lights out for a stretch. They’d trust him again and blammo, there goes another 3-run shot. Sometimes great, sometimes a gas can.
Grateful for acquiring a LHRP and holding out hope Montero is greater than his stats show
All 4 of the ones they acquired were righties. Their only lefty relievers are Raley and Taylor, who knows how long they remain on the roster.
Montero looked good in his first game, but that might not last. The bullpen is definitely much improved after the recent additions.
I want Bregman back ASAP mainly to designate Robel Garcia.
I would love Bergman back too. But him being pulled with hamstring now after time with quad injury. I know these pitchers out coming back now need work so hopefully James gets work and if comes up in August or September when rosters expand. I hope can have Urquidy for stretch run. Hopefully Framber has a better August and Garcia after his struggles going into 3rd inning and on does not send a trend with him. Also is Javier fully bullpen material because see mixed outings for him. But we shall see what James has and the bullpen going forward.
Bregman is expected to return later this week when they play the Twins. The Astros will need to decide which pitchers they want to keep in their bullpen once they get James, Baez, and Urquidy back.
Since they need to limit Luis Garcia’s innings moving him there makes sense when Urquidy re-joins the starting rotation which will give them two good long relievers. They will have a solid group with Pressly, Graveman, Yimi Garcia, Baez, Maton, Javier, and Luis Garcia. Then they have to choose among Josh James, Montero, Brooks Raley, Stanek, and Blake Taylor to fill out the back end.