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
Hader set to return…finally (YS)
Why Houston is looking closely at Abreu (NYT)
Breakdown of the Astros catching situation (YS)
AL West News
Rangers sign Kelenic (DN)
A’s select Morris (TR)
Martin lands on IL for Rangers (YS)
Sborz released by Rangers (DN)
MLB News
Redds place De La Cruz on IL (TR)
Clear gap between players and coaches right now (NYT)
Graterol undergoes back surgery CBS)
Simpson leaves Rays game early
Houston Astros birthdays
IF Bob Lillis (96)
Feature photo from Astros on X, Source Link
I was somewhat disappointed in Rome’s article “Why Astros are looking closely at Abreu.” The article did a good job showing that Abreu is pitching poorly, even when he succeeds, and that it appears to be getting worse than it was earlier in the year. They knew his velocity was low early in the season, but it hasn’t improved and in fact is worse. The article doesn’t really reveal what the Astros think is Abreu’s problem and how they plan to address it Early in the year, they said “it’s just a mechanics” issue, but that should be fixable by now.
By the way, Abreu is getting killed by LHBs. His walk rate of almost 16 / 9 innings against LHBs has to be one of the highest in the majors.
I feel like Kelenic should end up on the Angels before too long, the land where all prospects who failed to deliver on their promise go.
Kelenic was the prize jewel in the return for sending Edwin Diaz to the Mets (along with tail end Cano), and he just never really materialized. There was a period in 2023 i think where it looked like he might be starting to come around, but that’s been his peak.