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 Thursday Launch!
Houston Astros News
Weiss assigned to Triple-A (HC)
Javier needs just one more start (HC)
AL West News
Jays trade Heineman to the Angels (CBS)
Problems arising with A’s construction in Vegas (SFG)
J-Rod leaves early; day-to-day
MLB News
Marinaccio sidelined for two games (ESPN)
MLB set to restructure Home Run Derby…. Again (NYT)
Guardians lose DeLauter to IL (YS)
Tigers’ Torres hits the IL right after return (DN)
Made leaves minor league game early
Phillies option Painter (ESPN)
Houston Astros birthdays
RHP Fernando Rodriguez Jr. (42)
C Jason Castro (39)
OF JB Shuck (39)
OF Jake Meyers (30)
RHP Cody Bolton (28, Triple-A)
RHP Miguel Ullola (24, Triple-A)
Feature photo from Astros on X, Source Link
Happy birthday Jason Castro. Stanford grad. Leading HR hitter (71) of our catchers. It’s a shame he missed the 2017 and 2022 WS.
He was at least part of the 2022 WS team and got a ring. And not many people get to say their last MLB hit was a game winning home run against the Yankees!
I suspect MLB is going to go hard after Yordan to be in the derby this year. They have in the past, but I think they’re REALLY going to push for it this year. I kind of want to see him crush in it, but I also am like “but we’re only 3.5 games out now and we need him”
Had to look this up. He was voted in for the ASG in ’22, ’23, and ’24 but only did it in ’24. He was the starting DH, one PA, one — you just won’t believe it — BB. And regarding the Derby in ’24:
While he was voted in as the starting Designated Hitter for the American League, he declined to join the Derby, stating he was not super motivated to compete at that time and wanted to rest and focus on the Astros’ playoff push. He did, however, leave the door open to participating in future events.
I was at the 2024 game, it was in arlington. In 2024 IIRC he was battling something minor injury wise, but really wanted to participate for the first time ever, so they put him in the starting lineup, he did one plate appearance (instead of the 2 or 3 starters usually get), a walk, and they pulled him from the game.
altuve and tucker were also al all stars but didnt participate in the game, so at least we got to see one astro in it.
Guardians will be without both Jose Ramirez and DeLauter against the Astros.