One Astro's health is improving, while two others could have been a lot worse:
Jeff Keppinger and his gimpy back should be go to go in the next couple of days. It's going to be a crowded third base, with Kepp joining Bloone's Farm and Chris Johnson...although CJ narrowly missed suffering a significant injury himself after getting hit in the head with a ball during a Yorman Bazardo simulated game. Outside of a headache, Johnson was no worse for wear.
Roy Oswalt was sent to see a doctor yesterday with flu like symptoms. Despite the flu and his early exit last Saturday against Philadelphia, Roy O is not expected to miss his next start.
Anyone who isn't all that enthused about the possibility of Tommy Manzella being our starting shortstop next season should take a look at this. Again, when your club has a talent deficiency it is absolutely essential that potential outs are converted. Manzella would be a solid addition to the defense, and would stand to give the Astros a very solid "up the middle" with Michael Bourn, Manzella and the possibility of Jason Castro by mid season 2010.
This study should be broken down and pasted to the lockers of Felipe Paulino and Bud Norris. It's all about location, location, location. Having a good fastball is a gift that few to the degree of these two. Let's hope they don't waste it.
Baseball is supposed to be fun, right? Well apparently, it's not supposed to be that fun- just ask the San Francisco Giants. Seems like this is another example of baseball being too uptight and inflexible.
Now that the minor league seasons are over, the best and worst teams are official. Our own High A affiliate the Lancaster Jethawks was among the worst teams in the minors. It's tough to win in a park like that, and when you're pitching-thin like the Astros organization is, this was a recipe for disaster.