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Astros Notes: Garcia, Verlander, Tucker

By Nick Deeds | July 14, 2024 at 11:45am CDT

The Astros are pulling back a bit on right-hander Luis Garcia’s rehab process after he didn’t rebound well follow his most recent start in the minors, manager Joe Espada told reporters (including Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle) on Friday. Kawahara went on to note that Espada emphasized that Garcia had not suffered a setback, although plans for the righty to throw a bullpen has been delayed and there’s no timetable for him to make his next rehab start.

It’s a frustrating turn of events for Houston, as the club’s rotation has been beleaguered by injuries all season. Right-handers Cristian Javier, Jose Urquidy and J.P. France are all done for the year after undergoing season-ending surgeries last month, and of the three starters on the IL expected to return this year Garcia appears to be the closest. This latest delay figures to leave the Astros to make the best out of a patchwork rotation featuring Framber Valdez, Ronel Blanco, Hunter Brown, Jake Bloss, and Spencer Arrighetti. Aside from Valdez, only Brown entered the 2024 season with more than a handful of starts at the big league level on his resume and only Blanco has posted an ERA better than league average.

Of course, the return of Garcia would be a welcome one even if the Astros rotation was in better shape. After all, the 27-year-old righty sports a career 3.61 ERA and 3.79 FIP in parts of four seasons in the majors. Garcia had solidly worked his way into the middle of Houston’s rotation prior to the Tommy John surgery that wiped out most of his 2023 campaign, and he figures to pitch key innings for Houston in the second half so long as he can return to action healthy and effective sometime after the All-Star break.

The Astros got more positive injury news regarding the status of right-hander Justin Verlander, who’s been on the IL with a neck issue for the past month. The future Hall of Famer returned to the mound today, however, and while he was initially scheduled for a light bullpen session of just 10 to 15 pitches, MLB.com’s Brian McTaggart reports that he threw a 25-pitch session that included all of his pitches without any issues. That’s a major step forward for the right-hander, and while it’s unclear when the veteran will return to the majors Chandler Rome of The Athletic relayed that he’s expecting to throw another bullpen during the All-Star break.

Injuries have limited Verlander to just ten starts so far this year, and he’s struggled (at least by his own lofty standards) when healthy enough to take the mound with a 3.95 ERA that’s more or less in line with league average and a worrying 4.99 FIP. While his 21.3% strikeout rate and his 7.1% walk rate are both more or less in line with the numbers he posted last year, Verlander’s career-worst 24.8% groundball rate and elevated 9% barrel rate are both cause for concern, and his fastball’s velocity is down half a tick from last year.

Looking toward the positional side of things, outfielder Kyle Tucker provided an update to reporters (including McTaggart) about the shin contusion that’s sidelined him for six weeks now. Tucker told reporters that he’s advanced to throwing on the field and is hoping to return “sometime at the beginning of the second half,” though he didn’t put a specific timetable on his return and cautioned that he’s still feeling some discomfort in his leg.

While the Astros have surged in Tucker’s absence with an excellent 23-11 record since he was placed on the shelf, the club is surely eager to add another star bat back into the lineup alongside Jose Altuve and Yordan Alvarez. Tucker caught fire early in the season prior to his injury and headed to the injured list with a scorching .266/.395/.584 slash line in 60 games despite a lackluster .245 BABIP. If he can contribute anything even close to that upon his return later this summer, it would be a massive boost to the club as they work to catch a division-leading Mariners club that they trail by just one game entering play today.

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Houston Astros Notes Justin Verlander Kyle Tucker Luis Garcia (Astros RHP)

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13 Comments

  1. ❤️ MuteButton

    1 year ago

    With all of these injuries and stars on the sidelines it’s amazing that the Astros have been playing their best baseball and are only one game out of first place.

    7
    Reply
    • Hawktattoo

      1 year ago

      Mariners offense has been helping them also.

      4
      Reply
      • ❤️ MuteButton

        1 year ago

        In the standings, yes.
        Regardless of what the Mariners have been doing, the Astros have been playing their best baseball without several of their key stars.

        2
        Reply
        • Hawktattoo

          1 year ago

          I agree they have been playing great…bad timing for the Mariners offense to slow down. Gonna be a good race

          1
          Reply
  2. texgal01

    1 year ago

    We have managed. But with pitching if we do anything at deadline or stay quiet which hope they do not do. Maybe can find help.

    Garcia needs to take his time. I know wants to be out there but I think healthy. Would hate a set back. His rehab slowed for now. Return think possibly late August if at all. I know if did come back starting hopefully can do it. May be in a push then. Depending if can overtake Seattle and what they do at deadline. Want to better their offense. Plus Rangers too. Keep them at bay. McCullers needs to go. Another setback on him.

    Tucker needs to be healthy too. If leg sore still. But hope gives us some help soon. Maybe by deadline or mid August. I am sure rehab is in future

    Reply
  3. gtb1

    1 year ago

    What’s up with Tuck? 6 weeks for a bone bruise for a professional athlete is unprecedented. Boras?

    2
    Reply
    • sultan of swat

      1 year ago

      I agree. I wonder if he actually chipped a bone. ‍♂️

      1
      Reply
    • thickiedon

      12 months ago

      Glad someone finally said this lol

      1
      Reply
    • Astros_fan_in_Aus

      12 months ago

      It is hard to know, because Astros management always lie about injuries. You cannot believe anything Brown or Espada say on this subject.

      Reply
  4. Johnny utah

    1 year ago

    Million injuries
    Astro dynasty finally over
    Trash cans cant save em now

    2
    Reply
    • Memphis Kong

      12 months ago

      It’s not over, still in it to go 8 straight years. Go home but hurt Yankee fan.

      Reply
    • voigt21

      12 months ago

      I agree the Astros have always kept things secret regarding injuries. It apparently comes from Crane. He controls everything .

      Regarding Tucker they continue to push his return further out every time an update comes out.

      A week or two prior to the break the report was he would be back after the AS game. Now it’s sometime after that. Why can’t they just level with the fans.

      I’ve never figured out what the purpose was for hiding the news.

      Personally I think it’s a cracked bone and Tucker will be out until
      Aug 15 and maybe as late as the 30th.

      Reply
      • voigt21

        12 months ago

        It’s sounding more and more like a cracked bone . But let’s continue to lie ( by being silent )
        And not say anything. After all
        the fans are in a need to know basis. They don’t need to know.

        Reply

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