First pitch: Astros’ Porter discusses Humber, Bedard, Norris vs. Harrell
KISSIMMEE, Fla. — Former Rice standout Philip Humber is scheduled to make his second spring training start Thursday against the Washington Nationals at 12:05 p.m. at Osceola County Stadium. Records:...
View ArticleAstros’ Harrell to miss Sunday start against Phillies
KISSIMMEE, Fla. — Astros right-hander Lucas Harrell will miss his scheduled start Sunday against the Philadelphia Phillies due to a minor right groin injury. Harrell said Friday he feels fine and the...
View ArticleAstros report: White shakes off rough start
Box score Trailing 1-0 with one on and two outs in the third, Astros righthander Alex White couldn’t escape as the Mets had three consecutive RBI hits. By the time he was pulled, the Mets led 4-0....
View ArticleNotes: No rush to name starter for Opening Day
JUPITER, Fla. — The Astros aren’t in a hurry to announce their starter for Opening Day although Bud Norris and Lucas Harrell remain the favorites. “When you start to talk about competition you want the...
View ArticleHarrell says he’s ‘fine’ after 20-pitch bullpen session
Astros righthander Lucas Harrell, who was skipped from his scheduled start Sunday because of a groin strain, was pleased with his progress after throwing a bullpen session on Wednesday. “About 20...
View ArticleNotes: Side sessions for Harrell and Norris
Lucas Harrell, who was skipped from his scheduled start Sunday because of a groin injury, threw a bullpen session Thursday in Kissimmee. Bud Norris also threw a bullpen session. “Harrell looked really...
View ArticleBud Norris to start Astros’ home opener; Jordan Lyles optioned to Class AAA
KISSIMMEE, Fla. — Bud Norris has been considered a “B”-level player his entire career. A good but not great pitcher; a solid athlete who’s never been a star. Wednesday, the former second-tier pitcher...
View ArticleOpening day countdown: I’m beginning to think . . .
Spring training for the Astros has been largely uneventful and there have been few surprises along the way. But as the games wind down and the final decisions loom, I’m beginning to think . . . Brandon...
View ArticleCountdown to Opening Day: Astros’ rotation has to be better, right?
With opening day approaching, Dan Peschong toes the rubber today to compare this year’s rotation to 2012. • •• ••• •• • To quote from blog cynic, but accurate observer, VictorLaszlo – “I am not sure...
View Article2013 Astros: Surprises, disappointments, predictions and questions
For the first time since 2006, the Astros won a season opener. And optimism abounds. No one is predicting playoffs and division titles, but there is a level of excitement as youth is served amidst a...
View ArticleAstros no stranger to no-hitters…and other thoughts
Take a look at Dan Peschong’s primer on the designated hitter here. • •• ••• •• • For one day, the Astros held the best record in baseball, but the highs of Sunday night’s opening crush of the Rangers...
View ArticleAstros report: Humber a bright spot in shutout loss
By Brian T. Smith and Jose de Jesus Ortiz In a few days, Philip Humber will appreciate the moment. Standing at the center of Minute Maid Park. Facing the Rangers while wearing a home Astros uniform....
View ArticleAstros report: Porter planned Lyles’ early exit
Bo Porter reiterated that he pulled starter Jordan Lyles after five innings Thursday to have the young righthander exit his first start back in the majors on a positive note. Lyles held the Tigers to...
View ArticleAstros report: Porter support shifts in face of pitchers’ criticisms
DETROIT — Some Astros pitchers don’t like the club’s increased use of defensive shifts. Starters have complained privately, while sometimes making their displeasure known publicly through negative...
View ArticleNot that anyone is complaining, but what have you done with the Astros?
So I spend a week in Dallas, then another week in Nashville. When I get back to Louisiana, I discover that someone has stolen my baseball team and replaced them with another group of guys. Not that I’m...
View ArticleHarrell, Veras keep good times rolling
Box score Jose Veras’ wife made a cellphone recording of his ninth-inning jumbotron introduction at Minute Maid Park, but the Astros’ closer has never seen the video. Which means the 32-year-old...
View ArticleAfter a 10-30 mulligan, Porter’s Astros are hitting their stride
Everyone deserves a do-over. Especially first-time managers like Bo Porter, whose team started out with 10 wins in 40 games. Since that disastrous start that started conspiracy theories and brought out...
View ArticleAstros report: Lyles & Co. lend advice to Appel
As No. 1 overall pick Mark Appel walked toward righthander Jordan Lyles behind the batting cage at Minute Maid Park on Wednesday afternoon, a top club official leaned over to the Astros’ new ace and...
View ArticleAstros report: Trade market will be active in coming month
The rebuilding Astros were sellers before the season even began. With the trade market heating up and less than a month remaining before the July 31 deadline, general manager Jeff Luhnow acknowledged...
View ArticleHarrell hammered early and often by Rangers
ARLINGTON – Lucas Harrell lifted his cap, wiped his sweating brow, scraped his cleats around the mound and tried to slow the attack down. As soon as the pause was over, Harrell went back to getting...
View Article
