Strong spring earns Scott a roster spot
The final two spots in the Astros’ bullpen went to a lefthander and a reliever who was a nonroster invitee to spring training.
Righthander Tayler Scott was the lone nonroster invitee selected to Houston’s opening-day roster, which the team announced Thursday morning before its opener against the Yankees. The Astros transferred Lance McCullers Jr. to the 60-day injured list to create a 40-man roster spot for Scott.
Scott, 31, is the first native of South Africa to pitch in Major League Baseball. He has a career 9.00 ERA in 39 previous appearances with six different teams. Scott had a 2.45 ERA in 10 Grapefruit League appearances this spring. He is on his first opening-day roster.
“It means a lot,” Scott said. “Going into spring, the motivation and goal is to try and put yourself in a spot to be able to make the roster, and it kind of all aligned perfectly, and I was able to do that.”
Lefthander Parker Mushinski also made the roster, giving the Astros two lefties in their bullpen with closer Josh Hader. Lefthander Bennett Sousa, another candidate to make the roster, was placed on the 15-day injured list with shoulder inflammation to begin the season.
“They earned a spot,” manager Joe Espada said of Scott and Mushinski. “I can get multiple innings from them, they’re pretty good against righties and lefties, so there’s some flexibility in that. We opened the doors for competition, and they earned the right to be on our roster.”
Houston will play its first two games with a seven-man bullpen as setup man Bryan Abreu serves a two-game suspension stemming from last year’s ALCS. Abreu cannot be replaced on the active roster while suspended. Abreu can take part in pregame work but cannot be in the dugout or clubhouse for games.
With Ronel Blanco and J.P. France set to round out the rotation, the Astros will open with five righthanders in the bullpen: Ryan Pressly, Rafael Montero, Seth Martinez, Brandon Bielak and Scott.
Houston’s four-man bench will include utility infielder Grae Kessinger and first baseman Jon Singleton with utilityman Mauricio Dubón and backup catcher Victor Caratini. The Astros optioned Corey Julks to Class AAA Sugar Land in setting their bench and will carry four outfielders — Yordan Alvarez, Chas McCormick, Jake Meyers and Kyle Tucker — along with Dubón, who provides coverage in the outfield.
Julks had a good spring, and Espada said he told the 28-year-old outfielder to “stay ready” at Sugar Land.
“He’s a guy that has shown that he can hit and play at this level,” Espada said. “But right now, I told him that the best thing for our roster is to carry an extra infielder. He understood that. He’s a professional.”
Pitchers Shawn Dubin (right forearm strain), Luis Garcia, Penn Murfee, Oliver Ortega, José Urquidy and Justin Verlander were also placed on the 15-day IL to start the season.
Espada said the Astros would talk with Verlander on Thursday to determine if the next step in his buildup from a shoulder issue will be a minor league rehab start. Urquidy, who is recovering from a forearm muscle strain, could resume playing catch this weekend.
Reliever Sousa put on 15-day IL
Sousa, a lefthander and strong candidate to make the Astros bullpen this spring, was placed on the 15-day injured list instead Thursday due to what the team termed shoulder inflammation.
Sousa said the issue is similar to one he experienced last year with the Brewers, when he landed on the IL with shoulder nerve irritation.
Sousa said the result is “numbness” and “soreness” in his hand, which arose again around the midpoint of spring training.
Brantley throws out first pitch
Before stepping between the lines to throw out the ceremonial first pitch on opening day Thursday, Michael Brantley, who announced his retirement three months ago, looked right at home hanging around the Astros dugout wearing his customary No. 23 jersey, even with it untucked and paired with jeans.
When the 36-year-old stopped by spring training to see his former teammates a few weeks ago, Espada said he and his players would love to have the career .298 hitter visit the team as often as possible.
After throwing out the first pitch, Brantley, who was known as much for his leadership as his sweet left-handed swing, said he didn’t have a set role with the Astros, but wants to help however he can.
“I just want to be there for my guys,” Brantley said. “If they need me, (I can) just pop in and out. We’ll see how it’s going to go.”