New rules debut in Grapefruit opener
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — Saturday’s Grapefruit League opener against the New York Mets will afford the Astros an initial glimpse at a new-look game.
All of Major League Baseball’s new rules — the pitch clock, a limit on disengagements, the shift ban and bigger bases — will be enforced throughout both Grapefruit League and Cactus League play this spring.
The Astros have held sessions with both pitchers and position players throughout spring training to teach the new rules. Two pitch clocks have been present at all of their live batting practice sessions — one behind the plate and another near the first-base dugout. Manager Dusty Baker acknowledged Friday there have been some “real close calls” with the clock — 15 seconds with the bases empty and 20 with runners on.
“If you have to do something, you better try to learn it as soon as you can,” Baker said. “They’re paying attention, but guys have been creatures of habit for such a long time, you don’t all of a sudden change those habits.”
One pitcher people worried the most about had no problem at all. Starter Luis Garcia threw his first live batting practice of camp Friday, debuting a toned-down delivery the rule changes caused him to alter.
Garcia’s multi-step windup, which involved a step forward, a step back and rocking his arms back and forth, became a cult phenomenon in Houston. The league’s new rules make it illegal. Garcia’s previous delivery did not have a clear point of beginning — which is when the pitch clock is supposed to stop. As a result, Garcia eliminated the rocking motion with his arms and takes just one step to the side before delivering the baseball “It’s the same delivery basically, I just don’t do the thing,” Garcia said mimicking the rocking motion he’s now forbidden to do. “I would change the grip (during the rock). That was basically it.”
Garcia said he felt “normal” during his live batting practice session Friday, but acknowledged another facet of the clock that’s perhaps more problematic in Astros camp. Many of Houston’s pitchers are prone to walking around the mound or staying off the dirt immediately after delivering a pitch. Doing so wastes precious time.
“I have to get used to it because it’s kind of quick,” Garcia said. “Sometimes I have to remember that I have to be on the mound to get the ball and be quick on the mound. It’s just something to get used to, but I think it’s cool because the game will be faster.”
“You can lose the focus sometimes watching (the pitch clock), I think, but it is what it is.”
Visa issues settled, Montero reports Rafael Montero
Reliever arrived at Astros camp on Friday morning after visa issues caused a weeklong absence.
Montero was the only Houston player who had not reported to spring training. The 32year-old righthander said he is on schedule and is in “a pretty good spot” despite his late report. Montero is one of 11 Astros scheduled to play in the World Baseball Classic next month.
Acquired from Seattle in 2021 as part of the Kendall Graveman trade, Montero flourished last season, finishing with a 1.024 WHIP and 2.37 ERA in 681⁄3 innings. Baker often used him as a bridge to setup man Héctor Neris and closer Ryan Pressly.
Days after parting ways with general manager James Click, the team and owner Jim Crane rewarded Montero with a surprising three-year, $34.5 million contract extension, one many rival executives described as a steep overpay. Before last year, Montero had never made more than 44 relief appearances in a season and struggled to harness any consistency.
“I want to thank God for allowing me to have a great season last year and I’m happy I can provide a good life for my family,” Montero said through an interpreter. “… Last year, I had a really good season and, if it isn’t broken, I don’t think we need to do things to change, but I’m just going to continue improving and working on the things I did last year.