Friday, August 01

HOUSTON -- The Astros could look much different in the coming days and weeks than they have for most of July, a month which saw them, at one point, have 18 players on the injured list. That included eight starting pitchers and five position players who were in the lineup on Opening Day.

No team can withstand that kind of blow to their depth and continue to play at a high level, which is why July is the first month of this season that Houston has had a losing record. Somehow, the Astros have managed to keep their lead atop the American League West, though the Mariners -- and now the Rangers -- have closed the gap within the last week.

The best news for the Astros is they have four starting pitchers rehabbing at Triple-A Sugar Land -- Spencer Arrighetti, Cristian Javier, Luis Garcia and J.P. France -- and all four could return to the rotation soon. Arrighetti will make one more rehab start Thursday at Sugar Land before likely rejoining the Astros’ rotation next week in Miami.

Then there’s All-Star shortstop Jeremy Peña, who returned to game action in a Minor League rehab Tuesday at Sugar Land and should rejoin the Astros in the next few days. That would be a massive addition to the lineup considering the Astros were 12-14 without Peña (entering Wednesday).

So where does that leave Houston in terms of the Trade Deadline? Let’s answer some frequently asked questions:

Q: Would the Astros still like at add a starting pitcher despite so many injured arms on the cusp of returning?

A: In short, yes. Astros general manager Dana Brown has said repeatedly that you can’t have too much pitching, and adding a mid-rotation starter -- anyone up for a reunion with Charlie Morton? -- is very much on the table. The Astros want another proven arm they can put behind Hunter Brown and Framber Valdez because they’re not sure what they’re going to get from any of the injured starters. Arrighetti (broken thumb) is the only one of the four rehabbing starters not coming off a major arm surgery, so he might be more of a sure thing at this point than Javier, Garcia or France.

Q: Would they trade anyone of the Major League roster?

A: They would if they had but would rather not. They’re not going to trade any core players, including Valdez, but Shay Whitcomb and Chas McCormick could be among those included in a deal that would be built around prospects.

Q: Where could they add offense?

A: Well, the No. 1 goal is to add a left-handed bat, which isn’t surprising. With Yordan Alvarez missing most of the season and with Kyle Tucker now with the Cubs, the Astros have the fewest at-bats from the left side of the plate in the big leagues. They could use a left-handed bat that could play some second base or outfield, or both. They also could add a third baseman because it appears Isaac Paredes’ hamstring injury will cost him a significant portion, if not all, of the rest of the season.

The Astros were interested in trading for third baseman Nolan Arenado of the Cardinals last offseason. He has the right to veto any trade, which he did in December after the Cardinals and Astros had agreed to a deal to send the eight-time All-Star to Houston. Would Arenado be willing to waive his no-trade clause to go to a contender?

Q: What about relief pitching?

A: The Astros would like to add a right-handed reliever they could utilize in the pocket of the game lefties Steven Okert and Bennett Sousa have typically worked this year. Right-handed reliever Shawn Dubin is also on a Minor League rehab assignment at Triple-A and is nearing a return. Plus, any trade for a starter could push another starter, such as Ryan Gusto, to the bullpen, as well. There are a lot of relief pitchers on the market and the price of mid-tier rental relievers typically isn’t very high. 

Billy Wagner’s induction into the National Baseball Hall of Fame on Sunday gave the Astros three players who have been enshrined with Astros caps on their bronze plaques. Craig Biggio was inducted in 2015 and Jeff Bagwell in 2017, and both were in attendance when Wagner took his place in Cooperstown, N.Y., on Sunday.

So who’s next?

A handful of players who have played for the Astros will be on the ballot next year, including Andy Pettitte (eighth year on ballot) and Carlos Beltran, who came close last year with 70.3 percent of the votes on his third year on the ballot (75 percent is needed). It’s unlikely either would have an Astros cap on their plaque, though.

Astros fans might have to wait until Jose Altuve retires -- he’s under contract through 2029 and would be eligible for induction five years after retiring -- to see another Astros plaque in Cooperstown. That is, of course, unless Justin Verlander decides to have an Astros cap instead of a Tigers cap.

Daikin Park will play host to the inaugural All-Stars Car Show from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. CT Saturday. It’s the first car show to be held inside a Major League Stadium. The ballpark will be transformed into a full-scale car show, featuring more than 380 vehicles in exhibits from the outdoor lots to the stadium concourses to the field warning track. Tickets are $25 and available at astros.com/carshow or coffeeandcars.net/allstars.

Aug. 1, 2023: On the day the Astros swung a blockbuster trade to bring back Verlander in a push for the playoffs with an eye on another long run into October, Valdez became the first left-handed pitcher in franchise history to throw a no-hitter by holding the Guardians to one walk while facing the minimum 27 batters in the Astros’ 2-0 win over Cleveland in Houston.

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