Baker to limit Alvarez’s time in outfield
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — Even if both knees are at full health and Yordan Alvarez returns to his American League Rookie of the Year form, his defensive contributions might still be few and far between.
Astros manager Dusty Baker acknowledged the club plans to play Alvarez “very little” in the outfield during the 2021 season. Last spring, Alvarez expressed hope he could contribute as a left fielder, but working out there left him in pain. Alvarez eventually underwent surgery on both knees last August but is expected to be 100 percent by opening day.
“It’s shown in the past that whenever he plays in the outfield, he’s hurting for two or three days,” Baker said Friday. “Who knows? That’s very speculative as to how much he’s going to play or how he’s going to feel. We’re a long ways from making that determination, I think. We’re just trying to get him on the field as the DH first.”
Alvarez has not hit batting practice on the field with the major league team during the first four days of full-squad workouts. The Astros are bringing him along slowly, and most of his work is done inside the complex — where reporters are not permitted because of coronavirus protocols. Alvarez has hit inside the batting cages, Baker said. The 23-year-old Cuban posted several social media videos this winter of him running during his rehabilitation.
Alvarez appeared in 10 games as a left fielder during his Rookie of the Year season in 2019.
If he plays as sparingly as Baker suggested Friday, the Astros’ 2021 roster loses some flexibility. They’ll count on 33-yearold Michael Brantley, who had a lengthy injury history before his Astros tenure, as an everyday outfielder.
Alvarez’s absence will magnify the importance of Houston’s fourth outfielder, a position Chas McCormick and Steven Souza Jr. are battling for in spring training.
LHP Raley eager to build off 2020
Brooks Raley wasn’t the typical rookie pitcher in 2020.
Raley, who played at Texas A&M, was drafted in 2009 by the Chicago Cubs and spent parts of 11 seasons in various leagues around the world. When he got the call to join the Cincinnati Reds before last season, he wasn’t a young pitcher on the rise so much as a veteran finally getting his shot in the majors.
Raley made four appearances with the Reds before he was traded to Houston on Aug. 9. With the Astros, he went 0-1, earned a save, struck out 21 batters and posted a 3.94 ERA in 17 relief appearances.
Raley quickly gained the trust of manager Dusty Baker, who used him out of the bullpen six times in the postseason as the Astros made it to Game 7 of the American League Championship Series.
“It’s special,” Raley said about having his manager’s confidence. “I’ve always had the utmost respect for Dusty, before I ever played for him. Having him take me in from Day 1, he’s embraced me, used me in some highleverage situations.”
It’s a good story for the 32-year-old, but it isn’t one Raley plans on ending any time soon.
Raley said he approached the offseason preparing for another innings-eater role. He has focused on his development while also lifting weights four to five times a week to go with conditioning drills. He also managed to get in a few bullpen sessions before spring training began.
Depth issues forced plenty of young players into bigger roles out of the gate in 2020. The Astros’ playoff run was somewhat unexpected but showed they have plenty of talent to work with, and Raley figures to be in that mix.
“Remembering that time we had and being a game away from the World Series is a lot to build on,” Raley said. “I think we’re in a really good spot.”
Improved offense the goal for Toro
While Alex Bregman deals with a “slight tweak” in his hamstring, Abraham Toro has filled in at third base for the Astros during infield drills.
It’s some much needed work at the spot for Toro. His primary position is third base, but he said Friday most of his early work during spring training has been at first base and in left field.
The former fifth-round pick in the 2016 MLB draft labored through the shortened 2020 season. In 87 at-bats, Toro had just five extra-base hits to go along with a paltry .149 average. His on-base percentage wasn’t much better. Toro walked just three times all season, raising his OBP to just .237.
“Last year was a tough year for me — and a lot of players — but it’s just a learning process, and I feel like I have a lot I can show,” Toro said.
Throughout the offseason, Toro focused on losing weight to help his speed and athleticism, especially at the plate. Toro said his workouts consisted of more supersets and less heavy lifting to build more explosiveness, which he believes will speed up and loosen his swing.
A healthy Bregman is entrenched at third, so working on the little things as Toro has been is the best option for him to see more playing time while he continues to adjust to the big league game.
“It’s just getting the league better, just trying to focus more and learning how they’re pitching in the big leagues,” Toro said. “If I do what I know I can do, I feel like this year I can have a good year.”