Brantley out Monday, likely avoiding IL
OAKLAND, Calif. — The Astros are optimistic Michael Brantley will avoid the injured list after sustaining a bone bruise to his right wrist.
Brantley was hit by a 90.2 mph fastball during the first inning of Saturday’s 9-1 win against the A’s. He remained in the game to run the bases and play defense during the bottom half but was replaced before his second at-bat. X-rays revealed no fractures.
“He’s a lot better than he was yesterday,” manager Dusty Baker said Sunday. “When he’s coming back, that just depends on his body and how it heals. We dodged a major bullet by him having no fractures or a broken wrist or anything like that. Whenever you have a bone bruise, different people heal at different time intervals.”
Baker mentioned the Astros’ second game against the Angels on Tuesday as a possible return date but did not sound definitive. It’s clear Brantley won’t play on Monday when the team opens the two-game series.
Baker started rookie Chas McCormick in Brantley’s place Sunday, but planned to play Aledmys Diaz in left field Monday in Anaheim. McCormick entered Saturday’s game after Brantley’s injury and collected his first major league hit — an RBI double — in the ninth inning.
Diaz totaled three hits in Saturday’s game while filling in for Alex Bregman. Diaz’s injury history, coupled with a hamstring issue in spring training, leaves Baker hesitant to play him in back-to-back games.
Castro settling into his new role
The Astros’ catching hierarchy is coming into clearer focus. Martin Maldonado always profiled as the clear-cut starter, but his playing time in the Astros’ first four-game series demonstrates the importance placed on his presence.
Maldonado started the first three games of the season, including Saturday’s day game after a Friday night game. Managers normally try to give their catchers off on such a quick turnaround, but Dusty Baker spoke with both Maldonado and Saturday starter Lance McCullers Jr. to make his decision.
Oakland’s starting rotation contributed to the cycle, too. The A’s started lefthanders in three of the first four games, including Sean Manaea on Sunday, creating a difficult offensive matchup for Maldonado’s lefthanded-hitting backup Jason Castro.
“It’s not as important as who he’s facing as to who he’s catching and to give Maldy a blow,” Baker said.
Castro started Sunday against Manaea while catching Jose Urquidy .An oblique strain during spring training set Castro back somewhat, but the 33-year-old veteran said he caught every pitcher at least once in camp. Castro caught only one nineinning game in Grapefruit League play as a result of the time he missed.
An everyday starter during his first stint with the Astros, Castro has settled into more of a split duty role as his career progressed.
“I don’t think it will be something that is too outside the norm over these last couple years,” Castro said of his role. “I’m collaborating and making sure I’m staying involved from a game-planning standpoint, working with pitchers even if I’m not catching that day. There’s always ways to contribute, even if you’re not necessarily on the field that specific day.”
Baker’s grandson attends first game
Fans in the stands meant hell for the Astros most of this weekend at RingCentral Coliseum, but it did afford manager Dusty Baker a milestone moment before Sunday’s series finale.
Fifteen-month-old Nova Love Smith was among the members of Baker’s family who attended the Easter Sunday matinee — the first major league game for Baker’s only grandson.
“Right now, he’s loving that soccer ball,” Baker said. “I gave him a bat, but my daughter don’t want him going around destroying the house yet. “He’s a cool little dude.” Baker’s wife, daughter and son-in-law joined his 22-year-old son, Darren Baker, who brought teammates from the University of California baseball team to enjoy their off day.