Astros Crawfish Boil: April 21, 2023

Here’s your Boil!

Houston Astros News

Astros cheating critic faces potential suspension for using sticky substance (chron.com)

Playoff-like performance hands Astros first home-series win (MLB.com)

Last year they started the ‘Chas Chomp.’ This year, they threw out the first pitch at an Astros game (KHOU.COM)

Astros outfielder’s future with team could be in jeopardy (yardbarker.com

Abreu Close To Coming Out Of Mini Slump For Houston Astros (si.com)

Astros’ 2023: It’s rarely easy. (chipalatta.com)

AL West News

Panicking about Seattle Mariners? So are fans of other MLB contenders (sports.mynorthwest.com)

The Mariners have MLB’s worst DH situation so far. Can it be salvaged? (Seattletimes.com)

Texas Rangers drop Jonathan Majors from ad campaign (dallasnews.com)

MLB Moves Tracker: Madison Bumgarner Headed to Texas Rangers? (si.com)

Kurtenbach to A’s owner John Fisher: Good riddance! (mercurynews.com)

The Oakland Athletics Chapter Is Closing...as is my fandom (athleticsnation.com)

Passan: Shohei Ohtani Could Be Traded, ‘Will Definitely’ Leave Angels If LA Struggles (bleacherreport.com)

‘I’m looking forward to it’: Neto set to make home debut (mlb.com)

Astros Birthdays

Ken Caminiti (1963-2004) was a Houston Astro in 10 of his 15 major league seasons. In 1,085 contests, he hit .264/.330/.402 with 103 jacks and 546 RBI while manning the hot corner. He played for Houston from 1987 through 1994 and again from 1999 through 2000. Caminiti’s life ended too early, as sadly spelled out in this stunningly good piece of writing over at Bleacher Report.

Before becoming a main piece of the Orioles bullpen, Cionel Pérez (27) pitched in 20 games for the Astros from 2018 through 2020. He struck out 27 in 26 ²⁄₃ innings, with a 1.463 WHIP and a 5.77 FIP.

Ryan Hartman (29) pitched in one game for the 2021 version of the Astros striking out two and allowing one run over 2 ¹⁄₃ innings. To date, it’s his only major league appearance.

Jeff Keppinger (43) played second and a little short for the Astros from 2009 through 2011, right in the middle of his seven-team, nine-season MLB career. In 287 games for Houston, he slashed .281/.336/.398 with 17 homers and 108 RBI.

Chris Donnels (57) played mostly third for Houston in 161 games from 1993 through 1995, also making stops at first and second as needed. He slashed .264/.341/.393 with five home runs.