Houston Astros Rumors: Three implications of Josh James’ quad injury
By T.A. Mock
Josh James has a quad injury which takes him out of the competition for the final spot in the Houston Astros rotation. Let’s take a look at the implications.
The Houston Astros had a phenomenal season last year. In fact, when looking at the record, it was the best season in team history with their 103 wins to only 59 losses. It was a great season and a great follow up to the first championship in team history even though the season ended in the ALCS.
The 2017 championship team was led by an incredible and historic offense. The best team in franchise history, record-wise, was led by a powerful, incredible pitching staff. Justin Verlander and Gerrit Cole both had Cy Young caliber seasons and the rest of the rotation was equally as good.
Charlie Morton continued his career resurgence and pitched really well the entire year posting career-best numbers. Dallas Keuchel overcame a tough first 4-6 weeks of the season to have a very solid year yet again. Lance McCullers was dominant as well prior to his elbow injury that wound up needing Tommy John surgery.
Must Read. Three legitimate MVP candidates reside on the Astros roster. light
With Morton officially a Tamp Bay Ray and Keuchel still on the market with a return unlikely and McCullers slated to miss the year after surgery, the Houston Astros needed to fill three spots in their rotation. Moving Collin McHugh back to the rotation was an easy solution for one of the spots but the other two would be a mystery.
A couple of weeks ago, the Astros opted to sign Wade Miley, a solid lefty in the same vein as Keuchel, to fill the fourth spot. So, that left one spot in the rotation. Josh James was widely seen as the favorite but after his quad injury that will keep him out of the competition, the team will have to turn elsewhere. So, let’s take a look at three implications of his injury.