Re-signing Springer a top priority

Astros general manager James Click said Sunday that while re-signing free agent to be George Springer will be a priority, the ballclub also has other concerns to address during the off season.

Click noted that the absence of Justin Verlander and the need for a veteran to shore up Houston’s youthful bullpen must be addressed along with the possibility of retaining Springer.

“It’s not lost on anybody who George Springer is, how talented he is, how good he is at baseball right now and what he has meant to this franchise,” Click said during his weekly Astros radio network interview.

“We are going to put out best foot forward there, and hopefully that is something we can line up. But at the same time, George has earned the right to see what else is out there. We all hope that he comes home, but that is going to have to be a conversation on both sides.”

Maldonado has second day off

Catcher Martin Maldonado had a second day off Sunday, two days after he was unable to regain his feet after having his spikes catch in the dirt on a play at the plate, and is expected to play Tuesday.

Manager Dusty Baker said Maldonado felt well enough to catch Astros pitchers between innings Sunday afternoon and “seems like he’s better.”

60-game season flew for players

If the 162-game schedule that commenced in 1961 has become the longest season, 2020 certainly was the shortest, both in its 60-game length and in the way it flew by for players.

“It felt like it went by really fast,” Astros outfielder Josh Reddick said Sunday, “With spring training and the second spring training and summer camp, it felt like it was forever ago from where we were in February.

“Looking forward at Sept. 27, it has flown by, considering what we went through with the stress level. The guys have handled it well with what we have to put up, with mask wearing and testing.

They’ve done a good job of keeping this thing moving along where we needed to go.”

Closer Osuna continues to heal

Injured Astros closer Roberto Osuna is throwing off flat ground as he attempts to recover from an elbow injury in late July that ended his season, general manager James Click said Sunday.

Click, in his weekly Astros radio network appearance, described the development as a positive sign for Osuna, whom the Astros could allow to seek free agency next season.

“Throwing absolutely is the first step,” Click said.