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AL West Notes: Brantley, Alvarez, Scherzer

By Leo Morgenstern | October 6, 2023 at 2:04pm CDT

While Michael Brantley’s health has been a question all year for the Astros, the veteran told members of the media on Friday (including Brian McTaggart of MLB.com) that he will be “100% available” for the postseason with “no limitations.” That’s certainly positive news for Houston, although it doesn’t fully line up with comments GM Dana Brown and manager Dusty Baker made the day before. It’s unclear if Brantley has progressed over the past 24 hours, or if he is simply more optimistic about his health.

Brown told reporters on Thursday (including Chandler Rome of The Athletic) that Brantley felt “good enough to be on the roster,” and that the five-time All-Star would be “playable throughout the postseason.” Meanwhile, Baker was prepared to take anything he could get from Brantley, “Whether we get him for two games, one game, or whatever.”

While “playable” isn’t the same thing as “no limitations,” the ultimate takeaway is that Brantley feels healthy enough to merit a spot on the 26-man postseason roster. The left-fielder/DH missed the first five months of the season with a shoulder injury, and even after he returned, the pain had not entirely disappeared. He sat out for ten days in mid-September, appearing in only three of the Astros’ final 12 games. His numbers in 2023 were passable but uninspiring; he finished with a .724 OPS in 57 trips to the plate.

However, if he really is back to full strength, Brantley could be a difference-maker in the ALDS. The last time he was fully healthy, he slashed .288/.370/.416 with a 127 wRC+ over the first three months of the 2022 campaign. He has been especially dangerous against right-handed pitching throughout his career, and the Twins – Houston’s ALDS opponents – have an all right-handed starting rotation.

Here are some other updates from the postseason teams in the AL West:

  • In more Astros news, Yordan Alvarez confirmed to reporters (including Ari Alexander of KPRC 2) that the elbow pain he was dealing with in September is no longer a concern. The slugger hit .293/.441/.620 during the final month of the season, earning AL Player of the Month honors for his efforts. However, he started in left field only twice over the final two weeks as he dealt with discomfort in his elbow. Evidently, that minor injury issue is a problem no more. While Alvarez isn’t a strong outfield defender, his ability to play the field gives Dusty Baker added flexibility when filling out the lineup card. For instance, the DH spot could give Brantley some time off his feet or backup catcher Yainer Diaz an opportunity to get in the lineup more frequently.
  • Across the state, Rangers starter Max Scherzer continues taking steps toward a potential return this postseason. As GM Chris Young told Evan Grant of The Dallas Morning News, Scherzer could attempt to throw to live hitters today, which would be another promising sign of progress for the veteran. He threw a bullpen session on Wednesday, and it is encouraging that he feels strong enough to throw again two days later. Until quite recently, the chances of Scherzing pitching again in 2023 seemed slim. Over the past few weeks, however, the 39-year-old has advanced to a point where it doesn’t seem impossible he could play a role in the ALDS. Still, the Rangers continue to urge caution. “I’m not getting ahead of ourselves,” Young said. “We will see where he is tomorrow and go from there.”
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Houston Astros Notes Texas Rangers Max Scherzer Michael Brantley Yordan Alvarez

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17 Comments

  1. In Seager/Hader We Trust > the 70 MM DH Ohtani

    2 years ago

    If he injures himself coming back early, he will have more than 2 montsh to recover from it. The GM needs to act like a recreational baseball coach and man up. He is probably being held back like an angry drunk at a bar fight. Unleash him!

    2
    Reply
    • Hemlock

      2 years ago

      > Scherzer could attempt to throw
      > to live hitters today,

      Live, as opposed to what, tape delayed hitters? Pre-recorded hitters?

      4
      Reply
      • mlb fan

        2 years ago

        Didn’t I see you “moon-walking” just the other day, Hemlock? Lol.

        1
        Reply
      • mlb fan

        2 years ago

        You edited your post and now my joke falls flat.

        1
        Reply
      • Hemlock

        2 years ago

        I suppose they could be dead hitters, too.

        Put a corpse in there and let him chuck the ball over the plate.

        “STRIKEOUT!!!! YEAH, I AM ON FIRE!!! SOMEBODY STOP ME!!!”

        Helps boost morale and stuff.

        3
        Reply
        • brooklyn62

          2 years ago

          Dead hitters are the best! Rigor mortis sets in, and they can break off a leg and use it as a bat! Nothing against that in the rule book!

          1
          Reply
        • Hemlock

          2 years ago

          The crowd whenever Blake Snell pitches against corpses—

          “Man, what is this? I could have stayed home and watched The Walking Dead.”

          2
          Reply
        • Sherm623

          2 years ago

          I remember when Rigor Mortis hit 61 homers. Oh wait, that was Roger Mortis. What? Maris? Nevermind.

          1
          Reply
      • mrb163

        2 years ago

        as opposed to just piching to the plate.

        1
        Reply
      • johnnyzz

        2 years ago

        Artificial Intelligence hitters

        3
        Reply
        • In Seager/Hader We Trust > the 70 MM DH Ohtani

          2 years ago

          Artificial intelligence = the exact opposite of what you see at Cornell University

          Reply
      • Dorothy_Mantooth

        2 years ago

        As opposed to the aluminum batter that Charlie “Wild Thing” Sheen decapitated in Major League.

        2
        Reply
      • User 2079935927

        2 years ago

        AS oppose to NO Hitters

        Reply
    • Old York

      2 years ago

      Now, that’s the attitude. Too much babying of these players. Get out there and do your job that you’re paid to do. If you don’t, then get off the team and go play in Australia.

      2
      Reply
    • solaris602

      2 years ago

      Oh, you’re gonna trigger somebody by saying “man up”. Every time I’ve used that term (usually where Kris Bryant is concerned), someone loses their mind. Never the less, I agree that at this stage of his career Scherzer understands there won’t be many more tomorrows, and it’s now or never. So it looks like he is manning up (unlike Kris Bryant).

      3
      Reply
      • In Seager/Hader We Trust > the 70 MM DH Ohtani

        2 years ago

        There are quite a few internet feminists out here. Look what they did to my posts on Bauer’s thread before the “men” on the site just shut it down since they couldn’t control everyone’s thoughts. Let people be crazy. You can’t control how they react, so I’d just give up hope. Being in college recently shows that this is even worse in college.

        Reply
        • KingOmar

          2 years ago

          Well, you defend sexual predators… reacting negatively to that isn’t feminism, it’s just being a decent human being.

          1
          Reply

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