AL WEST
Houston Astros
Yulieski Gurriel’s arrival might jump-start the Astros over the season’s final month.
Gurriel, a 32-year-old Cuban, signed a five-year, $47 million contract this summer. He’ll likely serve as the designated hitter, although in 15 minor league games at four levels he played third base and left field.
“We’ve bounced him all around the country, but physically — from a baseball standpoint — he’s ready, and he’s ready for this challenge,” manager A.J. Hinch said. “So to add him to this group is certainly exciting for us. His baseball readiness — he’s in shape ready to go.”
Gurriel, who defected in February, has to pinch himself.
“This is a dream of mine for years,” he said. “And not only for me to make it, but a Cuban player to make it into the big leagues is a big deal.”
uLuis Valbuena (right hamstring) had a setback in his rehabilitation and isn’t likely to be back anytime soon. From May to June, few Astros were more productive than Valbuena, a free agent after the season. uRookie right-hander Joe Musgrove finally got knocked around, giving up eight runs in 51⁄ innings against the Baltimore 3 Orioles after going seven innings in each of his first two starts and allowing a total of three runs. But Musgrove remained confident. “I firmly believe that I belong up here,” he said. “I know I’m going to go through ups and downs and (will) just try to limit the downs.”
Los Angeles Angels
With the Angels stumbling through another dismal season, the question is: Will manager
Mike Scioscia return in 2017? “I have no reason to believe Mike won’t be here managing our team next season,” general manager Billy Eppler said.
Scioscia has been with his team longer than any other current manager, and during his 17 seasons the Angels never have been more games below .500 than this year (20 through Sunday). Injuries wrecked the rotation and others haven’t produced as expected in a year that has included an 11-game losing streak.
“I think he’s done a great job,” Eppler said. “He’s dealt with multiple plates full of adversity and handled them with energy, passion. He’s kept the guys who have stayed healthy all year optimistic, driven. I think that’s the sign of a good leader.”
Scisocia, who has led the Angels to their only World Series championship and six AL West titles, has two seasons remaining on his 10-year contract.
uFirst baseman C.J. Cron returned after missing six weeks because of a broken left hand. Cron was among the Angels’ hottest hitters before getting hurt.
uAlbert Pujols hit his 583rd career home run to tie former St. Louis Cardinals teammate Mark McGwire for 10th on the all-time list. McGwire, the San Diego Padres bench coach, sent Pujols a congratulatory text.
Oakland Athletics
Not much has gone right for Oakland’s rotation this year — but then there’s right-hander Kendall Graveman.
Graveman recorded his first career shutout, a 98-pitch, two-hit gem against the Chicago White Sox on Aug. 19.
That ran his record to 8-2 with a 3.38 ERA in his last 11 starts.
“He’s really kind of took ownership of the fact that he was kind of the last guy and really has to anchor the rotation,” manager Bob
Melvin said. uBilly Butler and Danny Valencia were fined by the team for a fight in which Valencia punched Butler, sending him to the seven-day concussion list. The
incident began after Butler interrupted Valencia’s conversation with an equipment manufacturer’s representative, The San Fran
cisco Chronicle reported.
uOutfielder Coco Crisp said “strings are being pulled” to limit his playing time. If Crisp, 36, gets into 130 games, he’s guaranteed $13 million next season. He was at 97 through Sunday, and the A’s had 38 games remaining. Melvin has said the team wants to look at younger players.
Seattle Mariners
The ace is taking his rightful place at the top of the Mariners rotation. Felix Hernandez put together a three-start stretch — 2.11 ERA in 211⁄ innings — in 3 which he again resembled “The King.”
Hernandez’s return is a key for the sizzling Mariners as they try to end baseball’s longest postseason drought. Hernandez, who missed almost two months because of a calf injury, has looked sharp.
“He’s rounding into Felix form,
no doubt,” manager Scott Ser
vais said. “He’s having fun. He’s healthy. He feels good about where he’s at. He’s got some bullets left in his arm, having been out as long as he has. He’s still fresh.” uThe Mariners rotation is expected to get a boost from the return of left-hander James Paxton and right-hander Taijuan Walker.
Paxton, who was 2-1 with a 1.59 ERA in his last four starts before his elbow was struck by a line drive Aug. 7, was scheduled to start Thursday against the Chicago White Sox. Walker put himself in position to be recalled from Class AAA Tacoma (Wash.) when he pitched 61⁄ scoreless innings 3 Aug. 18. uServais said he is sticking with his rookie closer, Edwin Diaz, who gave up runs in consecutive outings for the first time.
Texas Rangers
A rotation that features Cole Hamels and Yu Darvish has the potential to get better.
Left-hander Derek Holland, out since June 21 because of a cranky shoulder, was expected to pitch Tuesday against the Cincinnati Reds.
If Holland can return and pitch effectively, the Rangers could provide Darvish, who is coming off Tommy John elbow surgery, additional rest between starts.
uWith the Rangers shorthanded in the outfield because of
Shin-Soo Choo’s latest injury, Carlos Gomez was signed to a minor league contract and figured to be back in the majors soon. “We’ll get (Gomez) out there and let him play,” manager Jeff Ban
ister said. “This is a veteran outfielder who, when he is out there, can impact the game.”
Choo (broken forearm) is on the disabled list for the fourth time this season and could be out for the year.
uFour Rangers have hit at least 20 home runs: Rougned Odor, Mitch Moreland, Adrian
Beltre and Ian Desmond.