Keuchel ‘all about location’ after first spring start
KISSIMMEE, Fla. — Dallas Keuchel, the defending American League Cy Young winner, had to wait for seven games to pass before he could make a spring start, a byproduct of how careful the Astros are being with his arm.
Coming off that prestigious award and incredible 2015 season, Keuchel could have walked to the mound with an extra swagger Wednesday afternoon at Osceola County Stadium against the Braves.
The lefty’s stature is, undoubtedly, elevated. But he said he’s not thinking that way.
“I’m nobody right now,” Keuchel said after throwing two scoreless innings in a 9-5 Astros’ win. “It’s 2016. I’m just an Astros pitcher.”
On Wednesday, Keuchel allowed one hit and one walk in two innings, striking out one. His command wasn’t stellar, though, as he threw 50 percent strikes on 34 pitches.
“Right now, it’s all about location,” Keuchel said. “It was very spotty on the arm side. I was getting more extension out on the lefties, which I was really pleased (about). That’s usually my last little location problem that I have in spring training, so that was good to see. But we’ll tinker with the arm side and kind of adjust.”
Keuchel expects to make four more starts before opening day, pitching on a regular every-five-days schedule. (Looking at the calendar, he’s in line to get one extra day of rest somewhere along the way.)
The walk came in the first inning, against Freddie Freeman, who later homered off lefty Neal Cotts.
Freeman, odd as it may be, gives Keuchel fits in the Grapefruit League.
“I just have trouble commanding the ball to him it seems like,” Keuchel said. “I’ve only faced him in spring training.”
The lone hit Keuchel allowed was an Adonis Garcia double that immediately followed Freeman’s two-out walk. Keuchel struck out Kelly Johnson to end the threat.
Keuchel indicated the custom spring plan the Astros made for him is working.
“It feels great. It’s typical spring training soreness and fatigue,” Keuchel said. “It’s just about stamina and building up to get that endurance up.”
Castro hits first spring homer
Jason Castro nailed the first pitch he saw from the Braves’ Julio Teheran out to left field, a roped home run for the Astros catcher who’s in his walk year and could use a rebound offensively.
He spent the winter working on his mechanics, and even if he didn’t hit his first homer of the Grapefruit League season Wednesday, he has evidence his attempts have been fruitful.
“There’s some more efficiency in there,” manager A.J. Hinch said. “He gets a little locked up with his hand placement and rhythm. It looks like he’s a little bit looser with his hands.”
Castro’s been using video review of his spring training swings to actively monitor himself.
“Even if I’m not putting the ball in play, even on the foul balls or swing and misses … the timing is a big component of it,” Castro said. “But I’m just looking right now. The actual mechanics of the swing from a physical standpoint, making sure I’m doing the things that I’ve been working on. Cage and batting practice and seeing if that’ll translate into a little bit more higher tempo in the game.”
Odds and ends
Luke Gregerson (left oblique) said he felt the best he has yet after a bullpen Wednesday morning. He’s to throw a simulated game Saturday and get into game action likely early next week, manager A.J. Hinch said. … Lance McCullers is to make his debut Sunday or Monday as the second pitcher in a game, Hinch said. … A day after Ken Giles said he felt out of sync in his second spring outing, he stood on one of the mounds at the Astros complex and did a drill using a towel. The righty practiced his motion with a towel in his throwing hand, repeatedly going into his motion bringing the towel down on outstretched hand of Class AAA pitching coach Dyar Miller .… Dan Straily threw two innings Wednesday, allowing three runs after entering in sixth.