Morton goes on DL; Devenski activated
Charlie Morton, who is on pace to establish career highs in starts and innings pitched, was placed on the 10-day disabled list with right shoulder discomfort Wednesday.
In a corresponding roster move, reliever Chris Devenski was activated from the DL. General manager Jeff Luhnow said the club only expects Morton to miss one start. Manager A.J. Hinch announced before the game — and before the move was made official — that Morton would not pitch in the upcoming four-game series against the Los Angeles Angels.
“The more we thought about it, the more we felt like a clean DL stint for him, even though it’s going to be minimal, was the right thing to do,” Hinch said after Wednesday’s 5-4 victory over the Athletics. “There was a consideration that we were going to come every day and see if we wanted to insert him in the rotation.”
Hinch said the club “expects” Morton back for the three-game series at Fenway Park against the Boston Red Sox on Sept. 7-9.
Morton made his 26th start of the season in Tuesday’s 4-3 loss to Oakland. The righthander has never made more than 29 in his career.
He set career-highs in both starts and innings pitched in 2011 while with Pittsburgh, tossing 171⅔ innings in 29 starts. Morton has thrown 152 innings this season.
“Mentally, I’m in a good spot,” said Morton, who noted Wednesday that his shoulder felt a little irritated. “Physically, I just mentioned, this is the most innings I’ve thrown to this point in the season, I think, since seven years (ago). I’m really hoping I’m feeling great. If I don’t feel great and I feel the same, I think I could still get through it.”
Against the Angels, the Astros will start Justin Verlander in the series opener on Thursday,
Framber Valdez on Friday and Gerrit Cole on Sunday. Saturday’s starter will be announced, Hinch said. Rosters expand that same day, ostensibly giving the Astros a more robust bullpen with which to work. Piecing it together as a bullpen game is a possibility. Calling up a minor league starter could occur, too. Brady Rodgers is on the 40-man roster. Josh James — who has 166 strikeouts in 109⅓ minor league innings this season — is not, but Luhnow has acknowledged the club eventually will add him to their 40-man to protect him from selection in December’s Rule 5 Draft
Spring training schedule unveiled
The Astros will open Grapefruit League play on Feb. 23 against the Washington Nationals at Fitteam Ballpark of the Palm Beaches, the club revealed Wednesday as it unveiled its full spring training schedule.
Though it is unclear when the Astros will report to spring training, they will play 15 home games at the 3-year-old spring training complex it shares with the Nationals, who are the designated “home team” in the Feb. 23 game. The Astros’ first home game is Feb. 24 against the Atlanta Braves.
The St. Louis Cardinals, New York Mets and New York Yankees all visit West Palm Beach, Fla. The Philadelphia Phillies will make their first visit March 19.
Before they open the 2019 season at Tropicana Field against Tampa Bay on March 28, the Astros will return to Minute Maid Park for two exhibition games against the Pittsburgh Pirates on March 25-26.