Astros Crawfish Boil: July 5, 2023

Welcome to your Wednesday Boil!

Despite prolonged exposure to the injury bug, the Houston Astros have won five of six to increase to 10 games above .500. Tonight they’ll do their best to sweep a short stack of games against the Rockies at MMP.

Houston Astros News

Astros’ Jose Altuve scratched with oblique discomfort (abc13.com)

Houston Astros: In an up-and-down season, trade deadline awaits (houstonchronicle.com)

Brandon Bielak pitches Astros past Rockies (Reuters.com)

Rookies shine for Astros as Kessinger homers, Julks has 4 hits in 4-1 win over Rockies (wdtimes.com)

Why Astros’ outfielder Chas McCormick is thriving at the plate (chron.com)

Astros’ José Urquidy throws first live batting practice of shoulder rehab (houstonchronicle.com)

Astros DH Michael Brantley pausing all baseball activities (chron.com)

Angels: Mike Trout replaced by Kyle Tucker in MLB All-Star Game after injury (clutchpoints.com)

Bielak’s career day just what the doctor ordered for Astros (mlb.com)

AL West News

JP Sears has found success in opportunity with A’s (nbcsportsbayarea.com)

Seeing double: Carlos Pérez brothers face off (mlb.com)

Athletics reinstate Manny Piña from injured list, recall Nick Allen (athleticsnation.com)

Angels News: Shohei Ohtani Leaves Game Early With Blister Issue (si.com)

What happened to Anthony Rendon? Angels slugger exits game vs Padres early (sportskeeda.com)

Angels’ Mike Trout provides optimistic update after ‘freak injury’ (clutchpoints.com)

What Mitch Garver’s showing vs. Red Sox means for Rangers’ DH situation (Dallasnews.com

Rangers’ Nathan Eovaldi set to start against his former team at Fenway Park on Thursday (bozemandailychronicle.com)

Will Smith notches 15th save | 07/04/2023 | Texas Rangers (mlb.com)

Mariners: Julio Rodriguez joined by Seattle teammate as MLB All-Star Game replacements (clutchpoints.com)

Logan Gilbert throws a gem, Mike Ford goes deep as Mariners win 4th in a row (seattletimes.com)

Mariners fan travels to Giants’ waterfront ballpark, fondly remembering time there with slain son (seattlepi.com)

MLB News

Pitcher Tarik Skubal returns for Detroit Tigers after 11-month absence (apnews.com)

MLB All-Star Game regulars take back seat to 26 first-time selections (usatoday.com)

MLB All-Star Game 2023 team-by-team breakdown (mlb.com)

Alek Manoah returns to Blue Jays, will start Friday (mlb.com)

MLB game kicks off three-year celebration of America’s 250th (thehill.com)

MLB Roundup: Sanchez’s dominant performance leads Marlins to victory over Cardinals (sportsnet.ca)

KBO’s Kia Tigers Release Adonis Medina, Sign Mario Sanchez (mlbtraderumors.com)

Houston Astros Birthdays

Curt Blefary (1943-2001) spent eight season in the major leagues between five different teams. He played for the Astros in 1969, appearing in 155 contests and slashing .253/.347/.393 with 12 homers and 67 RBI.