Pitchers on DL have an active week ahead
Keuchel to start playing catch today; McCullers might get start vs. Seattle; McHugh to face live hitters in Florida
All four injured starting pitchers will take steps toward returning to the Astros’ rotation in the coming days, manager A.J. Hinch said Sunday.
“(Monday) is going to be a big day for our rehab department,” Hinch said. “All four (pitchers) will be doing something.”
Most notably, ace Dallas Keuchel (9-0) — placed on the 10-day disabled list on June 8 with lingering neck discomfort — will start playing catch Monday in Oakland as the Astros kick off a seven-game West Coast trip.
It will be the first time the lefthander has thrown since being scratched from his start against the Kansas City Royals after warmups on June 7. The 2015 American League Cy Young Award winner leads the major leagues with a 1.67 ERA in 11 starts this season.
“(Keuchel) has only been down for a week as far as not playing catch, so that will be good for him,” Hinch said. “We’ll have a lot more information on how he feels (after that).”
Righthander Lance McCullers Jr. (6-1, 2.58 ERA), who joined Keuchel on the 10-day DL on June 12 with back discomfort, will also throw a bullpen session early in the series against the Athletics.
Hinch said the session could come Monday or Tuesday, suggesting a possible start against Seattle later in the week for McCullers “if all goes well.”
Colin McHugh, sidelined all year due to a right elbow injury, will head to Florida to begin spring training and face live hitters before graduating to a more extensive rehab assignment.
Rehab start for Morton
Charlie Morton (5-3, 4.06 ERA) will also throw a bullpen session Monday in Oakland and said Saturday that he is expecting to begin a minor league rehab assignment with the team’s Class AAA affiliate in Fresno, Calif., on Thursday. Morton has been on the 10-day DL since May 28 with a lat strain.
Entering Sunday’s series finale against the Boston Red Sox, the Astros had dropped six of their last 10 games but maintained their double-digit lead over the Texas Rangers in the AL West.
Among those filling in the gaps of the depleted rotation were rookie call-ups David Paulino and Francis Martes, each of whom picked up his first career major league victory in the Astros’ just-completed homestand.
“For the two youngs, especially, it’s nice that they can contribute,” Hinch said. “I know they put a lot of pressure on themselves when they’re asked to go out on a good team and pitch well. … The tone is often set by the starting pitcher, and these guys have really answered the challenge. They’ll continue to learn and grow and try to help us win.”
Hinch waits patiently
Although Hinch is happy with how Keuchel, McCullers, Morton and McHugh are continuing to move forward, he doesn’t feel as if the Astros have weathered the storm of injuries quite yet.
“I like that they’re all progressing. I think the key is to not have setbacks and not have to shut guys down,” Hinch said. “But I won’t feel a ton better until I actually see that they’re a legitimate option.”