Brantley day-to-day after leaving in first

OAKLAND, Calif. — Michael Brantley exited the Astros’ game against the A’s on Saturday after being hit in the right wrist area by a 90.2 mph fastball. X-rays were negative and, according to the team, Brantley is considered day-to-day.

Brantley appeared in obvious pain after the pitch from A’s starter Cole Irvin, a lefthander with just 451⁄3 innings of major league experience. Astros manager Dusty Baker and head athletic trainer Jeremiah

Randall examined Brantley when he reached first base, but the veteran outfielder remained in the game.

“It looked ugly,” Baker said. “When I went out there, he couldn’t feel his fingers. But they took Xrays and fortunately for us, nothing was broken. He’ll probably be sore for a couple days. He couldn’t turn the bat head over, so he’s on day to day until then.”

Brantley played defense in the bottom of the first, too, before coming out of the game. Chas McCormick entered in his place and collected his first major league hit in the ninth inning.

Baker surprises starter Urquidy

Jose Urquidy arrived at RingCentral Coliseum on Saturday morning and discovered a delicious surprise in his locker. A bowl of pozole appeared almost out of nowhere. Urquidy planned to enjoy it after his morning workout.

Manager Dusty Baker’s reputation as a player’s manager precedes him. Part of the reason Houston owner Jim Crane hired him last year involved his ability to quickly build bonds in a clubhouse full of diverse backgrounds.

“It’s something that he started doing last year, and it’s a real nice gesture on his part,” Urquidy said Saturday through an interpreter. “It’s a super important part of our relationship, and we have a good relationship.

“He’s a big fan of Mexican food, Mexican culture. He’s brought me a lot of different Mexican foods and left it in my locker: ceviche, tacos, pozole. It’s a really nice gesture on his part and we have a lot of trust in that relationship.”

Baker often speaks fondly of his experience as a player in the Mexican league. He took a liking to Urquidy after watching his performance in Game 4 of the 2019 World Series on television.

Now, as his manager, Baker’s affinity for the young righthander has grown.

Urquidy will make his season debut on Sunday against the A’s, starting what he hopes can be the first full season of his major league career.

“Physically, I’m very good,” Urquidy said. “I think I can throw more than 70, more than 80 pitches. I have to do a good job hitter by hitter, pitch by pitch and throw my stuff through the zone and do my things well.”

Bregman rests as part of return

Alex Bregman’s slow buildup from an offseason hamstring injury continued on Saturday, when he did not start the Astros’ third game of the season against the A’s.

Manager Dusty Baker forecasted the situation earlier in the week, reminding all that Bregman only played a maximum of six innings during Grapefruit League play. Aledmys Diaz started at third base in Bregman’s absence.

“Bregman’s politicking to play every game, but we have to take care of him big time,” Baker said. “The most he had played was two games back-to-back other than DHing and only six innings at a time. There’s a thin line between getting them ready, getting their endurance up and trying to win a ballgame but also preserving them at the same time.”

Bregman stayed busy on the basepaths in both Astros wins to start the series. He reached three times on both Thursday and Friday, but Baker lifted him for pinch runner Robel Garcia during the ninth inning on opening day.

Expect a similar tactic early in the season from Baker, who plans to be cautious with Bregman, Michael Brantley and Yordan Alvarez in games that get out of hand. Chas McCormick replaced Brantley on defense during the ninth inning of Houston’s opening day win, too.