Paulino to debut without a limit specified
CLEVELAND — David Paulino, who was sidelined by arm soreness in July and hasn’t logged more than six innings in any of his minor league outings this season, won’t be restricted by a hard pitch count in his major league debut Thursday, according to Astros manager A.J. Hinch.
But even though Hinch didn’t commit to a number, it seems unlikely Paulino will exceed the range of 85-95 pitches. The 22-year-old righthander logged 84, 95 and 90 pitches in his three Class AAA starts, completing no more than five innings in any of the outings.
With rosters expanded, the Astros have a bevy of relievers available to fill innings.
“I don’t go in with any preconceived notion for him, so there’s no sort of heavy restriction on him,” Hinch said Wednesday. “He’s going to go as long as he’s good.”
Paulino joined the Astros behind only 1961⁄3 innings as a professional and a career-high 90 innings this season.
The organization limited many of his Class AA outings to three, four or five innings.
“My body feels great,” he said through a translator. “The shoulder is continuing to build up.”
Speaking to reporters Wednesday for the first time since his call-up, Paulino admitted he wasn’t expecting to reach the majors until next season. He was promoted to Class AAA only a few weeks ago.
“I didn’t know that this was going to be happen,” he said. “This is a surprise, and I’m very happy to be here.”
Odds and ends
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