The Astros are likely to return a couple of regulars to the big league roster in the coming days according to GM Dana Brown, who told club radio broadcaster Robert Ford (as relayed by Chandler Rome of The Athletic and Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle) that both first baseman Jose Abreu and outfielder Chas McCormick are nearing returns to action.
Per Kawahara, Brown indicated to Ford that McCormick, who has been out of action since late April due to a hamstring strain, could return to the Astros lineup as soon as tomorrow. The 29-year-old scuffled a bit to open the season prior to his injury, slashing a lackluster .236/.325/.278 in 21 games prior to the injury. Even so, the return of McCormick could provide a noticeable boost to the club’s offense assuming he’s healthy. After all, he was one of the club’s top offensive contributors last year when he posted a strong .273/.353/.489 slash line in 115 games. That strong showing appeared to earn him the opportunity to take a larger role with the club going forward, although given the strong performance of Jake Meyers as the club’s regular center fielder in McCormick’s absence it’s certainly possible that those circumstances have changed.
As for Abreu, Rome indicates that the veteran could join the club in Oakland on Friday for their series opener against the A’s. Abreu agreed to be optioned to the minor leagues at the end of last month after scuffling to a brutal .099/.156/.113 slash line in 77 trips to the plate this season. The 37-year-old got into his first game action in a pair of Florida Complex League games the past two days, going 2-for-10 with a double and a walk in those appearances. Brown added that Abreu is expected to get into “a few” more games before he returns to the Astros, although it’s not yet clear if those will be additional FCL games or if he’ll instead advance to the Triple-A level as he prepares to face big league pitching for the first time in nearly a month.
Abreu is in the second season of a three-year, $58.5MM deal he signed with the Astros prior to the 2023 season. So far, that deal has not gone how either side was surely hoping. In addition to Abreu’s brutal start to the 2024 campaign, the veteran is coming off a down season in 2023 where he slashed just .237/.296/.383 in 141 games with Houston. That performance resulted in a wRC+ of just 86, making 2023 the first below average offensive season of the first baseman’s career. While Abreu has been away from the club, Jon Singleton has primarily handled first base duties and has held his own in the role with a .222/.322/.364 slash line that’s 1% better than league average by measure of wRC+.
In other Astros news, right-hander Jose Urquidy threw 59 pitches in a rehab start at the Double-A level last night. According to MLB.com’s Brian McTaggart, the right-hander is set to make one more rehab start before being activated from the injured list. That Urquidy is nearing a return is surely a major relief for Houston, as the club’s starting rotation has been fraught with difficulties throughout the season. Rotation stalwarts Justin Verlander, Cristian Javier, and Framber Valdez have each spent time on the injured list already this year, while J.P. France, Hunter Brown and Spencer Arrighetti have all struggled badly with ERAs north of 7.00. Right-hander Ronel Blanco emerged early in the season as a surprising anchor for the club’s rotation, but the righty is in the midst of a 10-game suspension for violating the league’s foreign substance policy that has put a further strain on Houston’s pitching apparatus.
Given those major struggles, it would be a huge help for the Astros if Urquidy can even deliver roughly average results out of the rotation. That was hardly an issue for the 29-year-old earlier in his career, as he pitched to a solid 3.74 ERA with a 4.35 FIP in 63 career appearances through the end of the 2022 season. Unfortunately, the right-hander struggled significantly last season and posted a 5.29 ERA (79 ERA+) with a 5.38 FIP in 63 innings between the rotation and bullpen as his strikeout rate dipped to a measly 16.4% while his walk rate crept up to 9.1%. Despite those struggles, the right-hander figures to slot into the rotation in place of Arrighetti or Brown and allow the club to either move the youngsters to the bullpen or allow them to work things out in the minors.
About time to cut bait on Abreu.
“Cut bait on Abreu”…Abreu was a team leader/icon in Chicago and when the Wsox moved on from him, that should have been a red flag to all other interested teams.
Yet the Astros spent $58.5 million dollars on him.
Abreu was a good player in 2022. I don’t think it was crazy to believe he had something left in the tank. The crazy part was the 3 year deal.
Abreu won the MVP in the 2020 season. I just looked it up forgot all about that.
Or it was an obviously rebuilding team not spending big money on a player on the back half of his career.
Maybe need to ask Jeff Bagwell what he saw in him to have Crane go and get him for 3 years as he was nearing his finish. Yes last season late he came on. some but this season was a disaster.
We shall see if the Mighty Dana has a clue with bringing him back. But guess has to do something to earn his keep for rest of this season and probably next.
If Abreu can’t advance to, and prove it, at the AAA level, it’s time to accept he’s toast. FCL is hardly a good barometer.
Urquidy is a good pitcher when healthy, Hunter Brown is not (yet). Arrighetti is dealing as I type this and showing improvement. In my mind when José is back, Brown either goes down or to the back end of the pen.
Yo Mute, you were typing faster than I was – see my comment below. I can’t see them sending Brown down – he’s still lights out at times, so it’s not a stuff issue.
Singletons slash line can only be 1% better than league average 1B due to Abreu dragging the position down lol
Astros are rolling now, and it will be hard to find places for these folks. Arrighetti’s line for today is 6 innings, 1 run, 5 hits, 5 Ks, and a walk. Previous outing was 5 IP, 2 runs, 5 hits, 5 Ks, 2 walks. Brown’s last start was a little rocky, but he got the win, and 6 days prior, threw 5 brilliant innings in relief. Javier went 6 shutout innings, 2 hits, a walk, and 8 Ks, last Thursday. Verlander’s fine, and Framber has racked up 14 innings in last two starts, only 2 runs allowed, 8 hits, 4 walks, 12 Ks. And Blanco will be back soon, so that’s 6 starters who can go up against anybody. I like Urquidy, and *maybe* Brown would do better in long relief, or a tandem role – one of those two guys will be in the pen.
Meanwhile, on the batters’ side of things, Astros have the best BA in MLB, and by far the fewest Ks. They are 12th in MLB in runs scored, and runs per game. Meanwhile though, Meyers is sporting a 298/365/553 slash, with 5 HR & solid defense – Cabbage goes down fo McCormick, I guess. BUT, what about Loperfido? He was destroying AAA, and is doing fine in the bigs (333/281/436). And Singleton is performing adequately and is out of options.
Late note – Arrighetti touched up in the 7th single, walk, K, single, Abreu in relief let all 3 of those guys score.
I agree Cabbage is the odd man out. Loperfido is a bit of a dilemma. You want him to get AB’s and he’s playing good :-/
I’m thinking McCormick might get traded for an arm or two.
Mute, don’t know how good he is at it, but Loperfido has played plenty of 1B & 2B in the minors, so maybe Kessinger down? Dubon can cover infield if needed.
Eventually, in this scenario one of McCormick, Abreu, or Singleton is gone – but I would sure as heck wait until McCormick heats back up with the bat to trade him for a couple of relief arms and a promising prospect?
Cabbage could be sent out or down when McCormick returns. I do agree keep Loperfido.
Dubon will be on bench and play outfield on occasion. Verlander I think has to have Dubon but we shall see.
McCormick has not been that hot. This season anyways. Has not looked hot in rehab.
Will see what all things look like by mid June.
Pitching wise I think Brown might be bullpen if Urquidy returns.
WE will have a rotation of Verlander, Framber, Javier, and Blanco for sure and Urquidy when he returns. Whom might round out the 6th man if do use 6 man rotation unsure.
But wonder what outfield and more will look like by deadline. McCormick I think stays and if is not so great after return maybe could be cut at deadline. But we need to stay on a roll.
We took 2 of three from Brewers. Arrighetti had a good game until 7th when Miller and Espada left him in WAY TO LONG. Those 3 runs that were charged to Arrighetti might not have happened if Abreu had started inning or even Montero. Abreu did not look like had good stuff this afternoon.
I like Loperfido and think he deserves the shot to stay. Others are heating up in the minors for Astros that could be moving up.
But with Abreu due back as well at first base come when we go to Oakland. Singleton might not see time. Yes he gave us some help. But is tailing off lately.
But I hope things are done right as these summer months roll and Astros get to 500 and roll on.
Astros: Abreu is coming back soon!
Other 29 teams: thank goodness, they were starting to get hot
DFA McCormick and Abreu
Seriously??? DFA McCormick?!? Yeah he’s had a slow start and has been injured, but he’s a good player. Look at the track record. Plus he has trade value if nothing else
Abreu? Yeah, its time.
What do you think DFA means?
It means designated for assignment. It’s not the same thing as a straight up trade. When you DFA a player he’s been removed from your major league roster. If you don’t trade him within 10 days, the player can either elect free agency, or accept an assignment to the minors. Totally different than a normal/traditional trade
Jon Singleton taking Major League time from Jose Abreu was not on my 2024 Bingo Card. I love this sport.
Yes, lets hope it continues