As long as he's ready to go by ~June, I don't care a whole lot. He was probably going to miss time at some point this year anyway. Let's just get it out of the way early and shorten his season.

I like that this gives Hunter a surefire spot in the five man rotation. Ready to see what he can do. I also like the increased urgency in the spring competition for "next man up". Would be awesome to see Whitley run with the opportunity, but Dubin, France and Bielak seem the more likely candidates.

On the flipside, losing our 1c (Lance) makes it much more critical that our 1a and 1b (Framber and Javier) pitch at the level we expect. They've gotta be our anchors. I could see Garcia or Hunter emerging to help ease the top-of-rotation load this year, but that's far from guaranteed.

Ag_07 said:

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It seems minor for anyone not named Lance McCullers Jr.

Remember we also thought just a tight forearm was minor and next thing we know he was out until next August.

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As of now, it is a strained muscle. The previous injury initially was serious enough to keep him out of the last playoffs. Astros don't share injury info well, but it ended up being a tendon issue. Tenon >>> muscle as far as pitching injuries go from my understanding.

I wonder if the LMJ opens the door to go with a 6 man rotation with Whitley to start the year just to save Framber and Javier some? I know Dana said he's not a huge fan of that, but well.....here we are.

We have the depth but the only thing that bothers me about his injury is that a full season of McCullers plus adding in Brown is part of the equation of replacing Verlander's production. Hope he is back soon.

I hate to have the mindset that all we need to do is coast until the playoffs but there is some truth to that.

jkag89 said:

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gif said:

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tjack16 said:

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Y'all ready?#Ready2Reign pic.twitter.com/1UQT5XY4nE

— Houston Astros (@astros) February 22, 2023

Why are the Oxy patches on different arms

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Probably so they're visible on tv when at bat

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Does this mean switch hitters have to change jersey depending upon who is on the mound?

Seriously, that does make sense.

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Maybe they'll do Velcro patches for switch hitters. Also opens up the possibility of selling multiple sponsorships throughout the game,

AustinCountyAg said:

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I wonder if the LMJ opens the door to go with a 6 man rotation with Whitley to start the year just to save Framber and Javier some? I know Dana said he's not a huge fan of that, but well.....here we are.

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Here is what Dana said on the Matt Thomas show.

"I don't mind the 6 man rotation. I don't like to do it the entire year. There are times during the year you should do it. It gives your guys a breather." He also mentioned how ATL's starting pitching ran out of gas. He goes on more about it in a mostly favorable light.

I fully expect we will see it during the middle parts of the year. If Lance misses a few starts then we can insert Brown. Then go lighter on brown for a few weeks until its time for the 6 man (June-Aug).

Then if Lance or anyone else misses time midseason, it gives Whitley a shot too.

good clarity. I caught a brief blib of it on 790 and didn't get the entire thing

bearkatag15 said:

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Forrest Whitley faces Jose Altuve in live BP pic.twitter.com/NxEDoqVcjx

— Brian McTaggart (@brianmctaggart) February 22, 2023

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I think I'm more jealous of McTaggart's job during spring training than even during the season. Just wandering around the fields watching the foundations of all these guys making progress at a granular level to what they ultimately will become in the season must be fascinating.

A long time ago I got to spend 1 day at Oilers training camp (with Bucky!) and one day at 49ers training camp in San Fran, and seeing all the little drills and skills and silmulations was really fascinating.

AustinCountyAg said:

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good clarity. I caught a brief blib of it on 790 and didn't get the entire thing

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Of course.

Here is what I am thinking for the breakdown of 5 vs 6 man. Assuming you can skip #6 or whoever needs some rest, guys will throw every 6 days. If someone doesn't miss a single start, this way would mean 30 starts. Framber had 31 last year.

Fangraphs top 100 prospects.

https://blogs.fangraphs.com/2023-top-100-prospects/

Brown and Diaz at 34 & 79.

Beat40 said:

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I really feel for Lance. He's got to be mentally going through it a bit right now. He's got to be beyond frustrated his body isn't allowing him to do what he wants to do.

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I don't see how you watch this and not feel for him at least a little. He's the kind of guy you want across the league. No one will mistake him for a guy that doesn't care or "just chasing the highest contract".

McCullers: “I’m not going to lie. It’s been a tough couple of days just having to come to the reality that I’m not going to be a part of the team to open the season and I’m going to have to undergo another rehab.” pic.twitter.com/aGsR6jZJ0D

— Brian McTaggart (@brianmctaggart) February 22, 2023

Nino Brown said:

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AustinCountyAg said:

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go get Bauer!!!!

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Stop it, get some help.

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Hard pass on adding Bauer to the Astros.

That being said, the pitching tips he gives online are pretty cool.

Bauer would be a very intriguing pitching coach in the future

Big opp for Hunter Brown. I'd lay money on him rising to the challenge.

If he ever grows up, maybe.

So with Lance down to start the season we'll have a rotation of

Framber
Javier
Luis
Urquidy
Brown

Wonder if that leaves a spot open for the new lefty Gage who we got off waivers to start the season on the big league club and in the pen.

CFTXAG10 said:

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Big opp for Hunter Brown. I'd lay money on him rising to the challenge.

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Indeed. If for some reason he doesn't rise to the challenge, the Astros have room to pick up another SP via trade. But I do think Brown will be a pleasant surprise this season.

Wabs said:

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CFTXAG10 said:

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Big opp for Hunter Brown. I'd lay money on him rising to the challenge.

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Indeed. If for some reason he doesn't rise to the challenge, the Astros have room to pick up another SP via trade. But I do think Brown will be a pleasant surprise this season.

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Unless LMJ is out a large portion of the year, I'm not so sure there is a need to go out and get another pitcher. And even then I'd prefer an extended look at Brown or give a few other guys a shot (Whitley, France, Dubin, Murray, Ivey, Bielak).

Farmer1906 said:

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Wabs said:

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CFTXAG10 said:

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Big opp for Hunter Brown. I'd lay money on him rising to the challenge.

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Indeed. If for some reason he doesn't rise to the challenge, the Astros have room to pick up another SP via trade. But I do think Brown will be a pleasant surprise this season.

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Unless LMJ is out a large portion of the year, I'm not so sure there is a need to go out and get another pitcher. And even then I'd prefer an extended look at Brown or give a few other guys a shot (Whitley, France, Dubin, Murray, Ivey, Bielak).

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Correct. The decision on adding another SP is definitely linked to LMJ's health/return, as well as how Brown performs.

Sucks for Lance, but I know he'll be back ASAP. Let the Hunter Brown era of "replacing" one of the greatest pitchers ever and shoving begin.

cc10106 said:

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Sucks for Lance, but I know he'll be back ASAP. Let the Hunter Brown era of "replacing" one of the greatest pitchers ever and shoving begin.

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He'll be back asap? What makes you think that? This is the norm for him. Look forward to seeing him pitch 1/3 of the season and out for 2/3 of the season with injuries. Bury him in Florida.

Maybe I'm naive and am choosing to be more optimistic about it, but this seems different than before when he had just pitched the entire 2021 *regular* season as the Astros' ace. This seems like a temporary setback to me, albeit a recurring one, rather than the scenario you mentioned. We'll see.

I hope you're right but I won't believe it until I see it

I really hope LMJ gets and stays healthy this year. I would love nothing more than for him to come in and dominate like he's done int he past. Game 3 of the WS last year not withstanding

Go to West Palm. You can get your fill in 3 days and it's great fun!