HOUSTON – The Houston Astros are not yet counting down Lance McCullers Jr. for the American League Championship Series (SCLA) because his status for the series is in doubt after the right-hander underwent an MRI on his pitching arm.
“He’s still under scrutiny,” Astros general manager James Click said Thursday a day before Houston host the Boston Red Sox in Game 1. “I’m going to keep looking at him, see how he does.”
McCullers left SCLA Game 4 against the Chicago White Sox on Tuesday with a strained forearm, but did not think the injury was serious at the time.
“I started to stiffen early in the inning,” McCullers said after the game. “I just told them, ‘Listen, I’m not 100 percent.’ Houston has until 10 am local time on Friday to establish its SCLA roster.
“Every time a pitcher comes out with something on his forearm, you have to take your precautions and make sure you know exactly what’s going on,” Click said.
Astros manager Dusty Baker indicated McCuller’s roster spot could be filled by veteran right-hander Jake Odorizzi, who was left off the SCLA roster.
Baker also announced Thursday that the southpaw Framber Valdez Game 1 will begin and the rookie Luis garcia will receive the ball on Saturday for Game 2. Boston will fight back with Chris Sale and Nathan Eovaldi as Game 1 and 2 starters.
“I know that I have worked very hard to be able to have the results that I have and to be able to have the performances that I have, and it means a lot that they have the confidence in me to be tomorrow’s starter. [viernes]”Valdez said through an interpreter.
The outlook for the gardener Jake meyers it’s a little better, as he took to the practice field Thursday for the first time since injuring his left shoulder in Game 4 while trying to make a catch on the center-field wall.
“I feel good,” Meyers said. “I feel a lot better, doing rehab and things like that to get stronger.”
When asked if he would be available to play if necessary, Meyers answered “yes.”
However, as with McCullers, Baker was putting off any list decision on Meyers.
“We’re not sure about that either,” Baker said. “I have to talk to the coaches later, see how it turned out today [jueves]”.
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