Houston Astros pitcher Rogelio Armenteros, one of the team’s top prospects, has been shelved with injuries. What’s the latest with the righty?
The HoustonAstrosare now within their first week of Spring Training while they tune-up for the start of the regular season toward the end of next month. Can you believe Spring Training is already here?
Many of us are likely feeling that Spring Training could’ve have come soon enough in order for this team to get back to the business of playing baseball and not constantly being on the defense.
Sadly, this is what the 2020 campaign is going to be about. The team will constantly have their guard up and the task of protecting not only the image of the team but the HoustonAstrosbrand itself will be highest of priorities amid their sign-stealing scandal.
As much as HoustonAstrosowner Jim Crane would like to downplay things, the brand that he owns is under attack and they’ve got to do everything they can to protect it. The bottom line is most important to a business owner and one has to wonder if they will take a hit from that this season as a result of the news as well as MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred’s scathing report of the HoustonAstros‘ actions from 2017-18.
In addition, the team also will be dealing with how to fill the pitching portion of the roster, which suffered huge losses from the departures ofGerrit ColeandWill Harris.
The team still has two aces inJustin VerlanderandZack Greinkebut it remains to be seen what the effect will be withLance McCullers Jr.returning fromTommy John‘s surgery after missing all of 2019 rehabbing from it.
The remaining starting spots are up for grabs withBrad PeacockandFramber Valdezthe likely candidates to fill things out. Valdez had a strong outing in the team’s initial Spring Training game this past Sunday so he may be finally showing signs of progression after being a disappointment last season.
But another blow has been dealt to the HoustonAstros‘ bullpen.
Rogelio Armenteros,ranked 27th among theHoustonAstros‘ top 40 prospects via FanGraphs,
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willbe shelved likely for the rest of the Spring Training season.
He’s been experiencing elbow and shoulder soreness and he certainly was a guy this team would likely be leaning on from the bullpen this season. The HoustonAstrosdid sign veteran relief hurlerJared Hughesbut I think Armenteros’ presence would’ve been able to help with depth.
The 25-year-old, 215-pound Cuban pitcher sported a 4.00 ERA, tossed 18 strikeouts to eight earned runs along with a 1.22 WHIP and 2.77 FIP through five games — two starts — toward the final stretch of last season.
So what’s next?
The HoustonAstrosstill haveJose Urquidy,Josh JamesandBryan Abreuoutside of the featured bullpen guys inRoberto Osuna,Joe SmithandRyan Pressly.
I’m sure they’ll be fine in Armenteros’ absence but it would’ve been interesting to see how he would’ve performed had he gotten the opportunity to play this Spring.
We’ll just have to wait a bit longer for it.
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