Starting might be in long-term future for reliever Feliz
With the Astros mired in last place and in need of a spark, why not give the electric Michael Feliz a chance to start?
The team has not yet reached the point of making such a move. But if Feliz continues to blow away hitters in a relief role, he could work his way into an eventual start.
“Not really much dialogue (about giving Feliz a start) as much as there’s curiosity for long term,” manager A.J. Hinch said Saturday. “When I see him hold his velocity for the three-inning outings that he’s had in recent days, including (Friday) night, it’s hard not to dream about it.
“His confidence has grown. His breaking ball has gotten better. His changeup’s being used now. He’s routinely sitting in the mid-90s. So I think the long-term projection makes it very much a possibility. As far as in the rotation right now, we haven’t talked about him in that vein.”
Feliz retired each of the nine Rangers he faced in Friday’s 2-1 loss, striking out six of them. In his last six appearances spanning 112⁄3 innings, he has set down 35 of 38 batters.
“Pretty impressive. All you’ve got to do is look up and see all the K’s,” Rangers manager Jeff Banister said. “The ball came out really hot. I think more than anything was his secondary stuff that he landed for strikes and for chase. That was really impressive to do it for three innings. It wasn’t very fun to be on our side of it.”
Altuve’s MVP pace for naught
The Astros continue to waste an incredible first quarter of the season from Jose Altuve.
Altuve, an early MVP candidate, came into Saturday leading the American League in batting average (.343) and OPS (1.039). His 18 doubles and 15 stolen bases (in 16 attempts) lead the majors, and his 24 walks are tied for fifth in the AL.
Yet his team came into Saturday 17-26, the second-worst record in the league and fourth-worst in the majors. Despite Altuve’s league-leading pace, the Astros combined .233 batting average was worst in the AL.
Odds and ends
Having settled back into a five-man rotation, the Astros will start Doug Fister, Collin McHugh and Lance McCullers in their three-game series against the Orioles on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday at Minute Maid Park. The Orioles have yet to announce their starters for the series. …
Carlos Gomez (rib cage soreness) worked out again Saturday at Minute Maid Park and remains in line to head to Class AA Corpus Christi on Monday to begin his rehab assignment. He is not eligible to come off the 15-day disabled list until May 31. …
Count A.J. Hinch among those keeping tabs on touted prospect Alex Bregman, who leads the Texas League in OPS (1.103 entering Saturday’s game). “I look every day,” Hinch joked. “He’s a fun guy to watch and to follow, and I follow a lot of our guys in the minors, but he’s standing out among a lot of good players that are making their way.”