Astros' Cristian Javier: Lasts 4.2 innings vs. Yankees
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Javier did not factor into the decision Thursday, allowing three runs on four hits and three walks over 4.2 innings in a 4-3 loss to the Yankees. He struck out four.
Javier was tagged for three runs on back-to-back homers in the first inning, though he'd ultimately settle down and blank the Yankees over his final 3.2 frames. Javier has pitched better of late, holding opponents to three runs or fewer in his last four outings, after struggling to a 9.14 ERA in his prior five starts. Overall, his ERA sits at 4.39 with a 1.21 WHIP and 107:38 K:BB across 21 starts (112.2 innings) this season. Javier's currently in line for a road matchup against the Orioles in his next start.
Urquidy (shoulder) is tentatively scheduled to return to the Astros' rotation Sunday versus the Yankees, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.
Urquidy first has to make it through one final bullpen session, but he is knocking on the door after missing all of May, June and July because of shoulder inflammation. The 28-year-old right-hander struggled in his fourth and final rehab start last weekend at Triple-A Sugar Land, yielding five earned runs on nine hits over five innings, but he threw 76 pitches in that outing and 56 of them went for strikes. He could touch 90 pitches in his first start back with Houston.
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Astros' Justin Verlander: Expected to start Saturday
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Astros manager Dusty Baker said Verlander is lined up to start Saturday against the Yankees, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.
Acquired from the Mets just ahead of Tuesday's trade deadline in exchange for prospects Drew Gilbert and Ryan Clifford, the veteran right-hander is all set to go ring chasing again in an Astros uniform. It sounds like Jose Urquidy (shoulder) will come off the 60-day injured list and follow Verlander in Sunday's series finale at Yankee Stadium.
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Astros' Yainer Diaz: On bench Thursday
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Diaz is out of the lineup Thursday against the Yankees.
Martin Maldonado will start at catcher and bat ninth as the Astros open a big four-game series at Yankee Stadium. Diaz should start at least two of the games, whether behind the plate or as the DH.
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Astros' Corey Julks: Sits amid deep slump
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Julks is not in the lineup Thursday against the Yankees.
Julks recorded a walk in the Astros' win over Cleveland on Wednesday, but he's gone hitless in his last 41 plate appearances dating back to mid-July. Chas McCormick will play left field Thursday as Jake Meyers patrols center field.
Pressly picked up the save Wednesday against the Guardians, striking out two in a scoreless inning.
Pressly now has saves in two of Houston's last three outings. He's delivered a pair of perfect innings after struggling to a 7.71 ERA in his previous seven innings. The 34-year-old right-hander is now 26-for-30 in save chances this season with a 3.10 ERA, 0.91 WHIP and 53:9 K:BB across 49.1 innings.
Blanco was optioned to Triple-A Sugar Land following the Astros' 3-2 victory over the Guardians on Wednesday, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports.
Blanco made a spot start in Wednesday afternoon's series finale versus Cleveland and scattered two earned runs on five hits and four walks over four innings while tallying three strikeouts. Phil Maton picked up the official win in relief.
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Astros' Chas McCormick: Continues torrid stretch
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McCormick went 2-for-3 with two homers, three RBI and a stolen base in Wednesday's victory over the Guardians.
McCormick powered the Astros' offense again Wednesday, tying the game 2-2 with a two-run homer off Tanner Bibee in the second inning before giving Houston the lead with a solo blast off Nick Sandlin in the sixth. In the process he set a new career high with 15 long balls on the year. The 28-year-old outfielder would also add a stolen base for good measure, improving to 12-for-13 on attempts this season. McCormick's been one of the hottest hitters in baseball for over a month now -- he's batting .337 (34-for-101) with eight homers and a 1.086 OPS in his last 30 games. Overall, he's slashing .286/.375/.547 with 47 RBI and 37 runs scored across 270 plate appearances in a breakout campaign.
Astros' Cristian Javier: Confirmed as Thursday's starter
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Astros manager Dusty Baker confirmed Wednesday that Javier will start Thursday's series opener at Yankee Stadium, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.
Javier has been getting an extra day of rest between his recent string of starts and the Astros can continue with that model as they prepare to welcome back Jose Urquidy (shoulder) and trade-deadline acquisition Justin Verlander. Hunter Brown will work Friday's game in New York and then Urquidy and Verlander should slot in Saturday and Sunday.
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Astros' Mauricio Dubon: In leadoff spot Wednesday
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Dubon is starting at second base and batting leadoff Wednesday against Cleveland.
Dubon has shifted back into a utility role since Jose Altuve returned late last month from a left oblique injury, but the 29-year-old will get the start in Wednesday's matinee game at Minute Maid Park as Altuve takes a scheduled breather. Dubon is slashing .263/.289/.371 with five homers and six steals through 87 games this season with Houston.
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Astros' Jose Altuve: Gets breather Wednesday
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Altuve is getting a planned day of rest Wednesday versus the Guardians, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.
Mauricio Dubon will start at second base and hit leadoff. Altuve went 1-for-4 with a single and a run scored in the Astros' win over Cleveland on Tuesday and boasts a .364/.440/.591 batting line in 25 plate appearances since he returned July 26 from a three-week absence for a left oblique injury.
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Astros' Martin Maldonado: Takes seat Wednesday
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Maldonado is not in the lineup Wednesday versus the Guardians.
Yainer Diaz will start behind the plate and bat eighth after Maldonado caught Framber Valdez's no-hitter Tuesday night against Cleveland. Maldonado is the better defensive option of the two Houston backstops, but Diaz carries far more offensive upside.
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Astros' Matt Gage: Sent back to Triple-A
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Houston optioned Gage to Triple-A Sugar Land on Wednesday, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.
Ronel Blanco has been called up in a corresponding roster move to start Wednesday's game against the Guardians. Gage did not make an appearance during his two-day stint in the Astros' bullpen.
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Astros' Ronel Blanco: Recalled for start Wednesday
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Houston recalled Blanco from Triple-A Sugar Land ahead of his start Wednesday against the Guardians, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.
Blanco has posted an underwhelming 4.70 ERA and 1.44 WHIP through 46 major-league innings this season and he had allowed 16 runs -- 15 earned -- in 15 frames (three starts) since being optioned back to Triple-A in early July. The 29-year-old right-hander makes for a risky fantasy streaming option, even versus Cleveland's lackluster offense.
