Astros' Disturbing Announcement Offers Group MLB Lead in Undesirable Class

[ad_1] One of many nice mysteries of this season must be how the Houston Astros are doing what they're doing. After beginning the yr as a .500 crew as late as Might 12 when their report stood at 20-20, the Astros entered Friday's recreation at Daikin Park towards the membership previously referred to as the Oakland Athletics with a five-game lead over the Seattle Mariners within the American League West.

At 60-43, the Astros went into Friday tied with the reigning World Collection champion Los Angeles Dodgers for the fourth-best report in baseball.

DUNEDIN, FLORIDA - MARCH 10: Joe Espada #19 of the Houston Astros seems to be towards the Toronto Blue Jays throughout a Grapefruit League spring coaching recreation at TD Ballpark on March 10, 2025 in Dunedin, Florida.... DUNEDIN, FLORIDA - MARCH 10: Joe Espada #19 of the Houston Astros seems to be towards the Toronto Blue Jays throughout a Grapefruit League spring coaching recreation at TD Ballpark on March 10, 2025 in Dunedin, Florida. Extra Miguel Rodriguez/Getty Photographs What's so mysterious a few crew enjoying properly? Within the Astros' case, the astonishing half is how they have been doing it regardless of being torn aside by accidents. And the Houston well being state of affairs solely bought worse on Friday when the Astros introduced one other addition to their injured listing.

The Astros positioned 28-year-old rookie southpaw starter Brandon Walter on the listing, bringing the whole variety of Houston gamers on the IL to an MLB-leading 18.

Walter was within the midst of turning into one of many feel-good tales of the yr. Drafted on the backside of the twenty sixth spherical by the Boston Pink Sox in 2019, the 797th participant taken general — after present process Tommy John surgical procedure in school at Delaware and lacking your entire 2020 season because of the minor league shutdown attributable to the COVID pandemic — the lefty vaulted up the rankings to turn out to be the Pink Sox' No. 9 general prospect by 2022.

The Pink Sox referred to as him up on June 22, 2023, however restricted him to only 23 innings in 9 video games. Walter missed all of final season with a rotator cuff damage, however didn't even get to complete the season on the Pink Sox roster.

Boston abruptly designated him for task on July 31 and launched him two days later.

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Lower than two weeks after that, Walter signed a minor league cope with the Astros.

Lastly wholesome, no less than so far as his shoulder was involved, Walter bought the decision to the massive league membership on on Might 20 and has confirmed a gentle addition to the beginning rotation for a Houston membership with seven different pitchers on the injured listing.

In 9 begins, Walter has posted a strong 3.35 ERA with 52 strikeouts in 53 2/3 innings.

Walter informed MLB.com Astros beat reporter Brian McTaggart that his downside this time will not be his shoulder, however his elbow.

An MRI, nonetheless, confirmed solely "irritation," the pitcher informed McTaggart, which Walter referred to as "fairly encouraging," including that he didn't anticipate to be on the shelf for a prolonged interval.