Welcome to the Launch Briefing, a daily feature, where you will find a roundup of news and interesting stories from the Astros clubhouse and from around the league.
Discuss and share in the comments!
It’s the Tuesday Launch!
Houston Astros News
Can the Astros turn it around? (FG)
Teng to join the rotation (HC)
One prospect to watch at each level (AS)
AL West News
M’s pitching prospects on different ends of the spectrum right now (SNW)
Cortez named player of the week
Rodent infestation at Angels’ stadium (FN)
Updates on Rangers’ IL situation (DN)
MLB News
No. 1 draft pick gets the call
Yankees lose Stanton to IL (ESPN)
Cards claim Peralta (TR)
Houston Astros birthdays
OF Jackie Brandt (92)
Feature photo from Astros on X, Source Link
holy crap
Came across this:
April 28, 1985: Fernando Valenzuela sets a record 41 scoreless innings to start the season.
Rest in peace. We could use that talent. Or even half that talent.
Thomson bites the dust.
🤔
Interesting article about Cora and coaches being escorted out of the hotel in a oddly labeled van.
That article is pretty brutal on Breslow and Henry. Basically saying Breslow has whiffed on everything he has done, and Cora understandably was pissed about. He traded away the young pitcher that the BoSox received in the Devers trade, and the pitcher has a 2-something ERA for the Brewers–lower than any Red Sox pitcher,
Another player they traded away in that same deal that sent Kyle Harrison to the Brewers was David Hamilton who’s also doing well for the Brewers. I saw a piece the other day that named him as a point of discussion as to why the firings were done. Basically he came to town with the Brewers, did great against Boston and FO blamed Cora for not getting that kind of production from him when he was in Boston. (even though ultimately it was Breslow and FO who traded him away.)
https://nesn.com/boston-red-sox/news/ex-red-sox-infielder-reportedly-indirectly-played-role-alex-cora-firing/a56de0f08d7b34c5fc655388
I disagree with the projections if Espada is gone. We need a manager who manages the players, the coaches, the game, and everything else in the field. Again this season, the team is not ready. The Astros are still playing Spring Training ball in April -with a few exceptions. Therefore, poor team performance and injuries are the natural results. My eye test tells me the Astros are managing Espada.
😂