Astros Crawfish Boil: July 18th, 2015

Houston Astros News

Astros 3, Rangers 2: McHugh, Offense good enough in return from All Star Break - The Crawfish Boxes
The Astros and Rangers combined for 24 hits in front of nearly 37,000 fans at Minute Maid Park as the Astros held on to win 3-2.

Here are 10 keys to the Astros’ second half - Ultimate Astros
A look at what the second half for the Astros must entail to achieve success beyond the regular season - in pictures.

Chris Carter exits series opener with ankle sprain - Ultimate Astros

Preston Tucker used All-Star break to get body back to regular weight - Ultimate Astros
Astros rookie Preston Tucker took advantage of the four-day All-Star break to remain in Houston to rest and eat. He’s happy to report that he felt stronger after gaining five pounds during the break. "A lot of it is just hydrating and being able to eat bigger meals without having to worry about playing that day," he said. "It definitely contributed to me feeling stronger. It’s going to take a little while before I start wearing down. It’s huge."

With Astros is contention, Jeff Luhnow keeping a close eye on trade market - Ultimate Astros
Astros general manager Jeff Luhnow continues to monitor the trade market as a potential buyer for the first time during his tenure in Houston. "I feel an obligation to do the work, to make the sure we’re in a position to make the best decision possible. If that means adding a piece for this year and giving up some prospects to do it, we’re going to cross that bridge when we get to it." - Luhnow

Scott Feldman to rejoin Astros rotation on Saturday - Ultimate Astros
Astros righthander Scott Feldman will come off the disabled list and start against the Rangers on Saturday night at Minute Maid Park. Feldman, who tore his right knee’s medial meniscus on May 26, won’t be limited to a pitch count. He is optimistic that he has enough arm strength to go as long as his effectiveness takes him. "I feel like I’m part of the team again," he said. "It’s been a long time, it feels like. … I’ve been watching them a lot of TV. I haven’t been traveling with the team. It’ll be nice to actually get out there and play again."

Astros hope Jed Lowrie can begin rehab assignment next week - Ultimate Astros
Jed Lowrie, who has been on the disabled list since April 28 with a right thumb tear, hopes to start a rehab assignment next week. "It’s getting there," Lowrie said. "There’s still a few more things that I need to do just as far as feeling comfortable. I think that’s just really taking more (batting practice)."

George Springer’s two-week checkup shows no setbacks - Ultimate Astros
Astros outfielder George Springer had his two-week exam on his fractured right wrist Thursday, and he remains optimistic that he’ll be ready to resume baseball activities after his next exam in four weeks.

Adding Offense A "Growing Point Of Focus" For Astros - MLB Trade Rumors
General manager Jeff Luhnow said today that adding another bat to his lineup is a growing point of focus, tweets MLB.com’s Brian McTaggart.

Around the Major Leagues

Are the Los Angeles Dodgers about to land two star pitchers? | FOX Sports
Which teams are buying? Which are selling? Which are doing both? A team-by-team preview of the 2015 non-waiver deadline by Ken Rosenthal.

Inside Baseball: Dodgers aim for Cueto, Hamels; Rangers in on Cole, too - CBSSports.com
Jon Heyman takes a look at the trade deadline: The Dodgers and Rangers are both in Hamels' nine-team pre-approved list, so a trade veto won't be an issue.

Jesse Hahn Facing "Somewhat Extended Stay" On DL - MLB Trade Rumors
Athletics right-hander Jesse Hahn will be sidelined indefinitely and spend a "somewhat extended stay" on the disabled list with a flexor tendon injury, GM Billy Beane told John Hickey of the Bay Area News Group.

Dodgers' First-Round Signing Buehler Requires Tommy John - MLB Trade Rumors
Dodgers' First Round Pick Walker Buehler will require Tommy John surgery, tweets Jon Heyman of CBS Sports.

Diamondbacks Sign Dansby Swanson - MLB Trade Rumors
The Diamondbacks and No. 1 overall draft pick Dansby Swanson have agreed to terms on a contract with about two minutes to go until the signing deadline, reports MLB.com’s Steve Gilbert (via Twitter).

Top Picks Funkhouser, Singer, Hughes, Cody Do Not Sign - MLB Trade Rumors
The deadline for 2015 draft picks to sign is today at 5pm ET, and entering Friday, there were seven players from the top two rounds that remained unsigned.

Reds Prefer Not To Package Cueto, Chapman In Same Trade - MLB Trade Rumors
The Reds are reportedly prepared to trade both Johnny Cueto and Mike Leake, but while there’s been a good deal of speculation about the possibility of packaging Cueto and closer Aroldis Chapman, the team is not presently entertaining the notion, tweets USA Today’s Bob Nightengale. If the Reds do decide to make Chapman available — and based on Nightengale’s wording, there’s been no decision on that front yet — the preference would be to move the pair in separate transactions.