Baker keeps impending roster cuts close to his vest
TORONTO — A day before the Astros must trim their roster to 26 players, manager Dusty Baker shed no light on the team's looming cuts.
After a 99-day lockout and shortened spring training, Major League Baseball allowed teams to carry 28-man rosters throughout April. The league will allow teams to carry a 14-man pitching staff — reversing a prior ruling that mandated a 13-man pitching staff and 13-man position player group by May 2.
Teams that choose a 14-man pitching staff must go back to 13 pitchers on May 30.
If the Astros choose a 14-man pitching staff, they must jettison two position players to the minor leagues. Of those with minor league options, only J.J. Matijevic and Niko Goodrum seem in danger of a demotion. One of them is likely to be sent down when Jose Altuve returns from the
injured list this week.
Sending down another position player would leave the Astros with almost no infield depth on their bench aside from Aledmys Díaz. If two pitchers are sent down during roster cuts, the most likely candidates for a demotion are Parker Mushinski, Ronel Blanco
and Seth Martinez.
Altuve finished 3-for-7 during a two-game minor league rehab assignment with the Class AAA Sugar Land Space Cowboys. He played a full nine innings in both games at second base.
On Sunday's pregame radio show, Houston general manager James Click said “the hope” is to activate Altuve prior to Monday's series-opener against the Mariners.
Altuve hasn't played a major league game since straining his left hamstring on April 18 against the Angels. Aledmys Díaz and Niko Goodrum have filled in at second base during his absence.
Brantley back; Bregman sits
Michael Brantley returned to the lineup Sunday after a two-game absence due to “health and safety protocols” while third baseman Alex Bregman received a day off during the team's long stretch without an off day.
Brantley sat Friday and Saturday with what the team described as “health and safety protocols” — the Astros' convoluted way of describing issues related to COVID-19.
It is unknown whether Brantley tested positive for the virus, but he attended Saturday's game, participated in pregame activities and sat in the dugout throughout the 2-1 loss. In the past, the Astros have used “health and safety protocols” to describe players who have symptoms of the virus but did not test positive.
Baker used the explanation as a shield throughout this series and refused to specify anything about Brantley's condition. Brantley served as the designated hitter for Sunday's series finale against the Blue Jays.
Bregman received an off day after playing nine games in a row. He sat mired in a 2-for-22 funk. Houston's third baseman slashed .233/.352/.438 in April for a .791 OPS — second on the team behind Yordan Alvarez.
Lefty reliever Morgan released
The Astros released lefthanded reliever Adam Morgan after he exercised the opt-out in his minor league contract, multiple people familiar with the situation said on Sunday.
Along with Zac Rosscup, Morgan signed a minor league deal in spring training to afford some veteran competition for the final few spots in Houston's bullpen. Neither man broke camp with the major league team.
Morgan made nine appearances at Class AAA Sugar Land, allowing three earned runs across 8 2/3 innings. The opt out in his minor league contract was Saturday. Once Morgan exercised it, Houston had 24 hours to either add him to its 40-man roster or grant him his release.
Morgan is a veteran of seven major league seasons.