The latest news on the Houston Astros and from around MLB:
Tatsuya Imai threw a bullpen today and “looked good,” manager Joe Espada said.His next step is a Minor League rehab outing.
Tatsuya Imai threw 45 pitches in the bullpen today.
LHP Bennett Sousa will likely be activated tomorrow
Yordan Alvarez is pulling the ball at a career-high rate early this season. Astros staff view that not as a conscious effort but a byproduct of other things Alvarez is doing to fuel his torrid start: https://t.co/OhJv2YPgI3
Yordan Alvarez has crushed the ball tonight pic.twitter.com/9jxfVP2J1q
Lance McCullers tried something new to get a better start in the 1st inning. It didn’t work:
Astros pitcher Lance McCullers Jr. changed up his routine pregame with hopes of some better results in the first inning. pic.twitter.com/Bvs1ki5Pcd
How ugly was it for Lance McCullers Jr. vs. Yankees Friday? Only 5 swings and misses.
Lance McCullers Jr. against the Yankees: 5+ IP, 6 H, 7 R, 5 ER, 4 BB, 3 K, 92 pitches, 51 strikes, 31 swings, 5 whiffs, 95.4 mph average exit velocity. After five starts and 25.1 innings, McCullers' ERA is 6.75
There’s always a cool down phase after a hot phase. Cam Smith is freezing.
Since his four-hit game on April 11, Cam Smith is 5-for-37.
Astros offense:First 11 games (6-5): .288/.394/.494, 7.0 runs per gameLast 16 games (4-12): .242/.313/.395, 4.0 runs per game
Astros are 4-14 in their last 18 games, averaging 4.5 runs per game and giving up 6.6 runs per game in that span.
The Astros have posted two shutouts this year. In the next game, they gave up 12 runs each times.
Why won’t the Astros open the roof at Daikin Park? The team wouldn’t make anyone available to discuss. Some players past and present prefer it open. Other teams with roofs — including one in Texas — try to open whenever possible. Story with @SamBlum3 – https://t.co/6Sxn1cit9f
Jazz Chisholm challenging a pitch virtually middle-middle…in a 12-4 game.And then being shocked it wasn't a ball. 🤣 pic.twitter.com/5yr69bVvnA
The Phillies lose their 10th-consecutive game, their longest streak since 1999.
Paul Skenes with 7 shutout innings. He had a perfect game through 6 2/3 innings.His career ERA: 2.01He has now had an MLB-record 23 scoreless starts in his first 63 starts, per @CodifyBaseball
Murakami with his 11th HR tonight. He has homered in 6 of his last 7 games https://t.co/VS9jff82Ll