Keuchel wearing boot for ‘minor’ foot sprain
The left foot injury Dallas Keuchel recently told TMZ he sustained during the Astros’ World Series parade actually occurred during the season, according to a report from ESPN. com on Wednesday.
Keuchel was spotted in a walking boot by TMZ last week in Los Angeles, the first disclosure of any kind of injury an Astros spokesman described Sunday as a “minor foot sprain.” But according to the ESPN report, the lefthander pitched through the injury during the second half of the season and in the playoffs.
Astros general manager Jeff Luhnow confirmed later Wednesday that Keuchel dealt with foot discomfort during the postseason but said he didn’t know exactly when the discomfort began. Keuchel was diagnosed with the sprain after the World Series in an exit physical, according to the GM. Luhnow said Keuchel doesn’t have plantar fasciitis, as the report suggested.
Either way, Keuchel is expected to be fine for the start of spring training in mid-February. The former Cy Young Award winner and two-time All-Star is arbitration eligible for a third and final time this winter, meaning he will qualify for free agency following the 2018 season.
“Dallas is wearing a boot to speed up healing of a minor sprain that he was diagnosed with,” Luhnow said. “It shouldn’t be an issue for his offseason and getting ready for spring training. It’s basically nothing we’re concerned about for next year.”
Rangers add Minor to staff
The Texas Rangers completed a deal with Mike Minor while waiting for Shoehi Ohtani to decide where he wants to play.
A day after meeting in Los Angeles with the Japanese pitcher and outfielder, Rangers officials were back home in Texas to introduce Minor after finalizing a $28 million, three-year contract.
Ohtani was put up for bid last week by the Pacific League’s Nippon Ham Fighters for the maximum $20 million posting fee. The 23-year-old has until 11:59 p.m. EST on Dec. 22 to agree to a contract with an MLB team. The Rangers are among seven teams he is considering.
Minor was 6-6 with a 2.55 ERA in 65 relief appearances last season with Kansas City. He previously was a starter for Atlanta before missing the 2015 and 2016 seasons with shoulder issues.
“Our plans are for Mike to start for us,” general manager Jon Daniels said.