The Astros placed veteran reliever Ryan Pressly on the 15-day injured list today with a low back strain. In a corresponding move, the team recalled right-hander Seth Martinez from Triple-A Sugar Land. Martinez will be available out of the bullpen for tonight’s game against the White Sox.
Pressly, 35, has been with the Astros since 2018, pitching to a 2.84 ERA with 109 saves in that time. He also has a 2.22 ERA with 14 additional saves in the postseason. Although he lost his job as Houston’s closer when the team signed Josh Hader this past offseason, he remains one of the club’s more reliable high-leverage bullpen arms. Through 49 games in 2024, Pressly has a 3.86 ERA, 3.45 SIERA, and 21 holds. He has worked almost exclusively in the eighth inning.
Astros relievers rank fifth in MLB and second in the AL with a 3.61 ERA on the season. Still, losing Pressly for any amount of time will be a tough blow to weather as the team looks to stay on top of the Mariners in the AL West. The Astros just entered a stretch of 18 games in 18 days, and after their series against the White Sox wraps up this weekend, they will face the Red Sox, Orioles, Phillies, and Royals.
Thankfully for the Astros, manager Joe Espada does not seem especially concerned about the severity of Pressly’s injury. To that point, the skipper explained that Pressly initially tried to pitch through the pain. Yet, considering the righty’s recent struggles (9.00 ERA in his last four appearances), it makes sense that the team decided to give him some time to rest up and heal. Espada described the IL stint as “a little breather,” which certainly suggests Pressly won’t be gone too long (Espada interview clip via Brian McTaggart of MLB.com).
Martinez, 29, has a 2.92 ERA (but a 4.59 SIERA) in 41 appearances as a low-leverage reliever for the Astros this season. The right-hander made the Opening Day roster out of spring training, and he stuck with the big league club until the trade deadline. He was then optioned to Triple-A as the Astros made room for new acquisitions Yusei Kikuchi and Caleb Ferguson on the active roster. Aside from his low ERA, none of his 2024 numbers jump off the page. Still, he will provide Houston with another capable arm while Pressly is on the mend.
It might be simpler to just post a list of pitchers on the 15-day IL, another for players on the 10-day IL, and all pitchers having tjs surgery followed by date of surgery and estimated return date. It would save a lot of space.
Right before he reaches 50 games and has his option guaranteed.
I find it hard to believe that with the Astros in the hunt for a playoff position in which they would get tens of millions of dollars of revenue in 2024 (for tickets., merchandise, etc.) that they’d stick a player on the IL to stop him from getting his 2025 option guaranteed.
Could it possibly be: “9.00 ERA in his last four appearances”?
Funny how posers here that make snide comments seem to seldom read the article they’re posting under.
You’re looking too much into my comment. Maybe focus that energy inward.
Nobody says “posers” anymore. But whatever, keep yourself safe brother (KYS).
I thought he reached that at 40 games. Anyway, I’ve groaned every time they’ve brought him in for weeks. Brian Abreu is a much better choice for the 8th inning these days.
Something has not been right with him for a while now. I’m all for trying to tough out an injury, but pitcher is not normally one of those positions you want to try it at.
Elvis not in the house! You guys look like you are going to win the the worst division in baseball. You are playing well at the right time. Good luck for the rest of the season.