MARCH 28, 2021•CALLTOTHEPEN.COM
New York Mets focusing on Francisco Lindor extensionThe clock is ticking for the New York Mets. They have several players that they would like to extend, with trade acquisition Francisco Lindo...
Stubbs, Toro join Straw in quarantineAstros catcher Garrett Stubbs and infielder Abraham Toro have joined center fielder Myles Straw in quarantine for health and safety reasons,...
MARCH 28, 2021•MLB.COM
Away from team due to protocolsManager Dusty Baker said Sunday that Stubbs will remain away from the team for at least one or two days while waiting to clear COVID-19 health and safety protocols, Jake Kaplan of...
ImpactAfter being hit in the head by a pitch in a March 22 game, Stubbs was held out of the lineup for two days before returning to action in a reserve capacity Thursday. While he looks to be in the clear for the start of the season from an injury standpoint, his entry into the health and safety protocol suddenly makes his status for Opening Day murkier. As the clear No. 3 catcher on the depth chart behind Martin Maldonado and Jason Castro, Stubbs won't see much work even if Houston elects to carry him on its 26-man active roster to begin the season.
MARCH 28, 2021•ROTOWIRE
Away from team due to protocolsAstros manager Dusty Baker said Sunday that Toro is away from the team due to COVID-19 health and safety protocols, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.
ImpactBaker said he's hopeful that Toro will be able to rejoin the team within a couple days, so for now, the third baseman looks like he's on track for Opening Day. If Houston elects to carry Toro on the 26-man active roster to begin the season, he'll likely be in store for limited reps as a backup at either corner-infield spot.
MARCH 28, 2021•ROTOWIRE
In mix for No. 5 starterBielak or Luis Garcia will start the fifth game of the regular season, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.
ImpactBielak, who's been a fill-in starter for the Astros during spring training, will have a multi-inning role to start the regular season. It's just comes down to whether that will be as a starter or out of the bullpen. The No. 5 starter job will eventually belong to Jake Odorizzi once he's built up innings and pitch count. Until then, Bielak or Garcia will serve in that role and whichever one doesn't start will be part of the bullpen.
MARCH 28, 2021•ROTOWIRE
Could start fifth gameGarcia or Brandon Bielak will start the fifth game of the regular season, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.
ImpactHouston manager Dusty Baker mapped out the starters for the first four games but left the fifth slot unfilled. The plan is for Jake Odorizzi to eventually fill the role, but he needs time to build up innings and pitch count. That leaves Garcia and Bielak, a pair of stretched out relievers that could receive meaningful usage early in the regular season. Whichever one does not serve as the No. 5 starter will be part of the bullpen.
MARCH 28, 2021•ROTOWIRE
Fills in for StrawSiri started in center field for the scratched Myles Straw (undisclosed) and went 0-for-3 in Saturday's spring game against the Mets.
ImpactStraw was scratched due to health and safety protocols, leaving his Opening Day status unknown. Siri and prospect Chas McCormick are competing for a spot as the fourth outfielder, but that role could expand depending on the Straw's status. Siri is 6-for-30 with a home run, two RBI, two walks and three runs scored in 15 spring games.
MARCH 28, 2021•ROTOWIRE
