Third-base coach positive for COVID-19
Astros third-base coach Gary Pettis, a cancer survivor, tested positive for COVID-19 and will be away from the team for at least 10 days.
Manager Dusty Baker shared the news with Pettis’ permission Friday. Pettis, who rejoined the Astros in July after 10 months receiving treatment for multiple myeloma, is partially vaccinated against COVID-19. Because of his medical history, he could not receive his vaccination in April when it was made available to Astros players and staff. He was scheduled to receive his second shot Friday, Baker said.
Baker said Pettis is asymptomatic. He drove back to Houston on Friday from Arlington, where the Astros finished up a four-game series Thursday.
“He’s feeling good. He really didn’t show any symptoms,” Baker said. “He doesn’t know where he got it from because this guy wears his mask like 24 hours. I’ve never even seen him without his mask on. He’s really probably more careful than anybody. I talk to him daily, so I’m hoping that this subsides because we definitely need him back.”
Pettis is subject to the same COVID-19 protocol MLB applies to players who test positive for the virus, meaning he will miss a minimum of 10 days. The Oakland, Calif., native, who makes his offseason home in Southern California, will not go on the Astros’ seven-game road trip to Anaheim and Oakland next week.
Although Pettis was looking forward to seeing his family in California, Baker said, “He’s in good spirits. It’s a temporary setback.”
Pettis stepped away from the Astros in September 2020 following his diagnosis. Since he returned on July 6, he has traveled with the club and spent time coaching Astros outfielders, though Omar Lopez has manned the third-base coaches box during games.
Baker, who was vaccinated before spring training and said he received his booster shot last Wednesday, called Pettis’ infection “alarming” but expressed optimism that the coach was not experiencing symptoms.
“He’s probably the guy that we worried about the most,” Baker said. “He’s in God’s hands. He’ll be fine.”
Valdez day-to-day after cutting finger
One day after he was scratched from his scheduled start, Astros starter Framber Valdez threw on the field before Friday’s series opener against the Diamondbacks.
Valdez cut his left index finger on the outfield wall while shagging fly balls before Wednesday’s game against the Rangers. The Astros determined he could not pitch Thursday and started Luis Garcia in his place.
On Friday, Baker said Valdez is considered day-to-day. Asked whether Valdez was still scheduled to start Monday against the Angels, Baker responded, “Well, we don’t know. As of right now he is. We have to see if that cut heals as quickly as the rest of his body heals.”
The Astros declined to make Valdez available for interviews Friday. He appeared at ease while throwing on the field.
Reliever Brandon Bielak made a spot start Friday as the Astros work to get their rotation back on track following Valdez’s injury. Lance McCullers Jr .is scheduled to start Saturday and Zack Greinke on Sunday.
Castro back from IL; Stubbs to Sugar Land
The Astros on Friday reinstated catcher Jason Castro from the injured list and optioned Garrett Stubbs to Class AAA Sugar Land to make room for Castro on the roster.
Castro missed 17 games while out with right knee soreness, which landed him on the injured list Aug. 29. Before rejoining the Astros, he went on a minor league rehab assignment last week. In one game with Class AAA Sugar Land, he went 1-for-2 with two walks and an RBI. He concluded his rehab assignment by playing one game with Class AA Corpus Christi, batting 1-for-4.
The Astros started Castro behind the plate In Friday’s series opener against the Diamondbacks at Minute Maid Park.
Bermudez fans 8 in Skeeters’ victory
Ronnie Dawson doubled in both runs for the Sugar Land Skeeters, who rode a strong outing by Jonathan Bermudez to beat the Albuquerque Isotopes 2-1 Friday night at Constellation Field.
Bermudez struck out eight over six innings of one-hit ball, walking one for the Skeeters (68-48).
Chad Donato allowed a run on three hits, giving up an RBI single to Ryan Vilade, with one strikeout over the final three innings for the save.
Odds and ends
Baker had no update on Michael Brantley, who is receiving treatment for right knee discomfort that landed him on the IL on Sept. 12. … Pitcher Jake Odorizzi, on the IL since Tuesday with right foot soreness, threw on the field Friday.