Gattis to return during weekend series

Upgraded to a Category 3 storm, Hurricane Harvey disrupted the Astros’ plans for Evan Gattis.

The team wanted Gattis, who suffered a concussion on Aug. 3, to play three games for Class AA Corpus Christi before bringing him back from the disabled list, but the Hooks’ doubleheader was canceled Thursday.

“We pulled him out of his rehab assignment a day early because of the storm that’s coming to Corpus,” Astros manager A.J. Hinch said. “That whole team (was) evacuated.”

As a result, Gattis will be activated for the weekend series in Anaheim.

Hinch said the team has not confirmed if Gattis will return Friday or Saturday and has not sorted out the corresponding roster move to make room.

Musgrove thrives in bullpen role

While the Astros were in Toronto in early July, Joe Musgrove, for the first time, confidently said he could transition well to the bullpen.

He threw it out as a suggestion, a metaphoric lifesaver to keep him afloat on a team lined up for the postseason, when relief pitching has recently loomed large in championship runs.

For years Musgrove, 24, has been projected as a promising starter, but his inconsistency this season combined with the return of Dallas Keuchel and Collin McHugh crowded him out of the rotation.

Astros manager A.J. Hinch cautioned during the Blue Jays series that Musgrove was campaigning. Hinch had not yet decided to move him. Musgrove had yet to prove he belonged in the bullpen.

Now, with August nearly over, Musgrove has emerged as Hinch’s most reliable late-inning weapon. Since his transition to the bullpen on July 22, Musgrove has given up one earned run and two walks and struck out 18 batters in 161⁄3 innings. He has held hitters to a .158 average.

“There’s no concern about having to plan out a longer approach,” Musgrove said of his transition. “It’s about coming in and being nasty for an inning. You’re not going to face these guys two or three times. You show

them your best stuff right away.”

His fastball has surpassed 96 mph and his slider 85 mph, with more vertical movement.

“His velocity’s up,” Hinch said. “His breaking ball’s better. His aggressiveness is much better in the strike zone. He’s come up with a cutter that’s been good against lefties. Everything across the

board has gotten better.”

Hinch said the new role has inspired “renewed energy” in Musgrove.

“You never react better than when you’re thrown out in traffic,” Musgrove said of the adrenaline rush. “There’s a few key points as a starter where you have to make your pitches. Out of the bullpen, you’re thrown into that immediately.”

Musgrove has proved especially valuable lately. Will Harris has been out since July 5 with a bone bruise in his shoulder, and All-Star Chris Devenski, the usual go-to choice for high-leverage innings, saw a blip in his elite effectiveness. Musgrove is filling in where Harris would have pitched and offering Devenski the chance for more rest before the playoffs.

Musgrove used to work with an arsenal of five, sometimes six pitches. He has benefited from a simpler fastball/slider approach.

“The confidence comes with the success,” he said.

Hinch was asked if Musgrove should be focused on becoming a full-time reliever.

“I’m not sure if it needs to be decided for the future,” Hinch said. “But his best contribution for us right now will be in the pen.”