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Astros Notes: Alvarez, Brantley, Gilbert

By Darragh McDonald | February 21, 2023 at 4:21pm CDT

Astros outfielder Yordan Alvarez is dealing with some left hand soreness, with both he and manager Dusty Baker speaking to reporters today about it, including Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle and Mark Berman of Fox 26. Alvarez isn’t currently swinging a bat but expects to do so in the coming days.

Alvarez dealt with soreness in both hands last year but it doesn’t seem as though offseason surgery was ever seriously considered, with Baker relaying that doctors “said he didn’t need it.” Despite the seemingly persistent nature of the issue, there doesn’t seem to be a lot of concern, with Alvarez suggesting that it can be addressed with rest. It certainly didn’t seem to hamper him too much last year, as he launched 37 home runs and hit .306/.406/.613 for a wRC+ of 185, though he did go to the injured list once for the soreness in his right hand.

Everyone involved seems to be downplaying the issue for now and this all might pass in a few days. But given that Alvarez is one of the most potent sluggers in the league and the soreness seems to have been lingering for quite some time now, it will be a situation to monitor going forward.

Elsewhere on the roster, outfielder Michael Brantley is still trying to get back into shape following last year’s shoulder surgery but could spend some time at first base once he’s healthy. A report from Brian McTaggart of MLB.com indicates Brantley has been getting some work at first lately, with the club exploring if he’s a viable emergency option there. Houston will have José Abreu getting the lion’s share of the work at the cold corner after he signed a three-year, $58.5MM deal this offseason, but it seems there’s a chance Brantley could give him the occasional day off.

Brantley has a small amount of first base experience in the minors, way back in 2007 and 2008, but none at the Triple-A level or in the majors. “We’ll see how it goes,” Brantley said. “At the same time, it’s a team-first approach always. I’ve always been like that. If I can help the team out in any way, I’ll be available. It’s a lot of hard work. I’m learning a lot very quickly, but it’s all been going smoothly so far.”

If the experiment proves successful and Brantley becomes a legit option there, it could provide the club with a bit more flexibility in setting its lineup. Furthermore, Brantley has had a few significant injuries in his career and is turning 36 in May, meaning there might be some wisdom in having him play a position that generally requires less running around the field. Abreu will also be in his age-36 season, so helping him get off his feet on occasion could also have benefits.

For the time being, Abreu is likely followed by David Hensley and J.J. Matijevic on the first base chart, though they have just 16 and 32 games of MLB experience, respectively. It’s always possible that the club could find someone else to jump in, such as longtime Astro Yuli Gurriel, though general manager Dana Brown recently articulated the difficulty in finding a substantial role for a veteran like Gurriel. Unless something changes on that front, it seems Brantley will take a shot at making himself a part-time option at the position.

In more long-term news, prospect Drew Gilbert is expected to be ready to go when the minor league season starts, director of player development Sara Goodrum tells Rome. Gilbert was the club’s first round draft pick last year and played ten games in the lower levels of the minors before crashing into the outfield wall in a Class-A game. He was initially diagnosed with a forearm contusion though it was later discovered that he suffered a dislocation in his right elbow, which ended his season. He’s just 22 years old and will still have to climb his way up the minor league ladder, but the fact that he’s going to start the season healthy is still encouraging news.

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Houston Astros Notes Drew Gilbert Michael Brantley Yordan Alvarez

Read The Transcript Of Our Chat Hosted By Former MLB Hitting Coach Rick Eckstein
Main
AL Notes: Judge, Brash, Tigers, White Sox
View Comments (34)
Post a Comment

34 Comments

  1. chemfinancing

    2 years ago

    Astros warfing out in 2023 book it!

    2
    Reply
    • chemfinancing

      2 years ago

      The Astros will miss verlander

      Reply
      • THEY LIVE!!!

        2 years ago

        The Stros will miss Verlander and still win the division AND in spite of Dusty Baker being the manager too.

        6
        Reply
        • Player to be named in the future 2

          2 years ago

          correct

          2
          Reply
        • chemfinancing

          2 years ago

          “Let him coach” is what I say

          Reply
        • Goku the All Knowing

          2 years ago

          idk .. 3 of the most upcoming teams are in that division. Seattle, Texas and Angels all look pretty revamped.

          while Stros are headed down. still a great org but other teams catching up

          Reply
        • Latino Heat

          2 years ago

          Texas payed hundreds of millions for a bottom dweller team. The angels, well we’ve been hearing how good the angels are going to be for the past 10 years yet Trout has still made the playoffs 1 time in his career. The mariners are a scrappy team but still have a ways to go before they are top contender in the league. Astros lost verlander which will hurt but they also replace one of the worst first baseman with one of the best. So weaker pitching better offense. The division will easily be won by the Astros

          Reply
        • LaBalaDePlata

          2 years ago

          They’ve been saying that for the last 3 years

          1
          Reply
        • Goku the All Knowing

          2 years ago

          losing Verlander is massive.

          still a good team, but not much separation from the rest of the division now.

          DeGrom suiting up for Rangers now too

          can laugh at the Angels all you want, but fact is they’re gonna be dangerous this year.

          Reply
        • jjd002

          2 years ago

          No team will be within 13 games of Houston. Houston is the only good team in the division.

          Reply
    • BeansforJesus

      2 years ago

      I had to look up ‘warf’. Urban dictionary gave me “A combination of Warrior and Dwarf often used to describe an angry, but threatening midget. usually one with a beard.”

      Agreed, Astros are warfing pretty hard. At least until Altuve retires.

      1
      Reply
      • nitnontu

        2 years ago

        Thank you, Beans, for the definition and very funny joke about the word “warf”!!

        1
        Reply
        • BeansforJesus

          2 years ago

          My pleasure. If I may quote GI Joe, Francis Bacon, and He-man, “Knowing is half the battle. Knowledge is power and I have the power”.

          2
          Reply
        • Goku the All Knowing

          2 years ago

          Netflix is working on a live action He-Man movie

          get hype

          1
          Reply
  2. Rsox

    2 years ago

    Given the questionable health of Alvarez and Brantley i find it hard to believe the Astros couldn’t find 300 AB’s for Gurriel between DH/1B

    9
    Reply
    • Texas Outlaw

      2 years ago

      Agreed Rsox. Brantley will miss a huge chunk.

      3
      Reply
    • Astros Hot Takes

      2 years ago

      this ^^^^^^ all day long. Yuli is needed here, perfect fit. Been advocating this all off-season.

      2
      Reply
    • astros_fan_84

      2 years ago

      Yuli wasn’t that good last year. He got hot for three weeks and that was great. Now, he’s done and the Astros have better internal options.

      2
      Reply
      • thickiedon

        2 years ago

        The guy also had 17 hits and only ONE strikeout in 49 ABs in the playoffs.
        He ain’t done yet

        2
        Reply
        • Latino Heat

          2 years ago

          SSS. Look at what he did during the year for better reflection of the player. Yuli is cooked time to move on

          Reply
  3. SODOMOJO

    2 years ago

    Yordan Alvarez comes to me in my nightmares. He’s so scary that I wake up in the middle of the night with wet sheets.
    “No Scott, no! Don’t bring in Robbie Ray!”

    10
    Reply
  4. Fraham_

    2 years ago

    How has Yordan had sore hands for 8 months clearly his wife’s not satisfying him

    4
    Reply
    • Steve Cohen Owns You

      2 years ago

      Word is, he’s got an affinity for giving himself “The Stranger”

      2
      Reply
    • Ignorant Son-of-a-b

      2 years ago

      It’s all speculation and hearsay until you get caught sitting in a Dollar Tree parking lot with your phone out and your trousers down.

      Reply
  5. Steve Cohen Owns You

    2 years ago

    I forgot Houston signed Abreu. Sheesh, what a team.

    5
    Reply
  6. AlanZ

    2 years ago

    The GM said he wants Gilbert to compete for the center field spot, he might be pushed up the minors fast if Chaz or Jaimie get off to a slow start and Gilbert is off to a fast start in the minors.

    Reply
    • Biggio’s 2

      2 years ago

      Where did you see this quote? I think Gilbert will be a fast riser.

      Reply
    • Astrosfn1979

      2 years ago

      Alex Bregman made his debut in July 2016 only 1 year after being drafted.

      They are similar players – very high floor college players who are physically mature and repotedly high baseball I.Q. and relentless workers.

      The Astros have questions at CF.

      McCormick will get first Crack at the job but still is a better fit as a 4th OF and has severe platoon splits.

      Meyers had a great 2nd half of 2021 but needs to prove he is recovered from the labrum injury and can be an everyday CF.

      If neither have great 1st half, I could see Gilbert brought up after the All star break.

      2
      Reply
      • Latino Heat

        2 years ago

        As stated in the article Gilbert has 10 games played at the minor league level. There is 0 chance he plays for Houston next year. None!

        Reply
        • Astrosfn1979

          2 years ago

          I don’t agree.

          Now I think the chances are less than 50%. Maybe even as low as 10-15% but not zero.

          There have been players who made the majors with less than a full season in the minors.

          Pete Incaviglia cones to kind as a guy to went straight to the majors from college and the draft.

          Reply
        • Latino Heat

          2 years ago

          I’m not saying it never happens. I’m saying you’re talking about someone coming off injury who has a total of 10 games in the minors. If he’s playing in Houston this year then things have gone terribly wrong and they should trade all their all stars. Not gonna happen

          Reply
        • Astrosfn1979

          2 years ago

          I understand what you are saying but don’t agree.

          CF is the weakest position on the field for this team besides catcher.

          If Gilbert is good in the minors and Meyers and McCormick both have poor seasons or get hurt then Gilbert may be the best option to fill a hole in August/September and/or the playoffs

          Reply
        • Latino Heat

          2 years ago

          The Astros won’t move him up that quickly after again playing only 10 games so far in the minors. Plus Chas was the 10th best cf in the game last year so I’m not sure why you’re so down on him

          1
          Reply
  7. Astrosfn1979

    2 years ago

    I’m not down on Chas per say but CF is a position where the Astros can improve because he is not necessarily a complete player.

    Last year 2/3 of the Astros’ games, they hit against a RH starting pitcher (108R 54L).

    Chas .645 OPS vs RHP
    Chas .972 OPS vs LHP.

    His arm is also 45th percentile according to baseball savant, so below average and Houston has a big CF.

    As the 7th or 8th best position player on a team, Chas is perfectly fine, but he is classic platoon guy and better suited to LF due to his arm.

    I love watching him and am very glad he is on this team, but with Gilbert, Barber, and Melton all highly regarded CF prospects who hit left handed I am excited to see what happens and if that is something that can make this team even better.

    Reply

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