So now we reach the part of the season where weirdness like Springer's .160 BABIP should normalize, so let's see how the Astros do.
May 8 (14-21)
In just his second game after being demoted to OKC, Cosart suffered a torn back muscle and will miss four months. That's a shame, though he may be back in time for roster expansion in September.
May 11 (15-22)
Dexter Fowler, who had been hitting .306, sprained his ankle and will miss 6-7 weeks. Alex Presley is the only other outfielder on the 40-man right now, and he's been doing as well as you'd expect a guy with a couple years of major league experience to do, so he's coming to Houston. Springer shifts over to center field while Presley and Hoes platoon in right.
May 16 (16-25)
Arizona offered me Martin Prado for Lucas Harrell (............keep talking) and Delino DeShields Jr. This reminds me to set DDJ to "untouchable".
Also, the league office informs me that Lancaster pitcher Kyle Smith has been suspended 8 games for his role in an on-field fight.
May 17 (16-27)
Scott Feldman sent me a message today. He's unhappy playing for a loser and wants to be traded. I tell him it's still early, that he knew there'd be struggles this season when he signed, and to try to stick it out. To myself I think "Maybe if you weren't 2-6 with a nearly 5.00 ERA we might not be as bad."
May 18 (17-27)
Lancaster center fielder James Ramsay ruptured his MCL and is out for the season. He was hitting .333. Bummer.
May 19 (17-28)
Albert Pujols hit his 500th career home run off the Astros. Because of course he did. His 6th inning homer off Kevin Chapman gave the Angels the lead as they go on to win 8-6.
May 22 (20-28)
It seems my pep talk with Feldman paid off, as he hurled his first career no-hitter against the Mariners as the Astros won 6-0. He struck out four and walked five, so he was more lucky than dominant, but I'll take it. A quick check with him a couple days later and his morale is much better. It's amazing what happens when you quit whining and start winning.
May 28 (22-31)
Arizona really, really wants to dump Martin Prado. This time they're looking for Carlos Corporan and Dominican League outfielder Luis Payano. Now this is intriguing. Payano doesn't profile to be much more than organizational depth, and I have Max Stassi waiting at AAA. I think he's more than a backup catcher, but I could bring him up as the short side of a platoon situation with Castro to see how he does as I decide what to do with the increasingly expensive Castro going forward. Hoes is struggling horribly, even in his platoon role, so he could go back to AAA to make room for Prado. The downside is that Prado is signed for $11M/yr through 2016. If I do this deal, it eats up any payroll flexibility I have left, not just this year, but next as well, with Castro and Fowler due raises in arbitration.
Bottom line for me is that this makes perfect baseball sense and it doesn't cost me any real prospects. I think I can talk Crane into loosening the purse strings a little. After all, this TV deal has to be worked out soon, right? RIGHT?
May 30 (23-32)
Apparently ticking Feldman off wasn't such a great idea. He's now out 5-6 months with shoulder inflammation. All is not lost, though, as Peacock has dominated at OKC since his demotion, throwing to a 1.78 ERA in 35 innings. I'll call him up and see if he's gotten himself ready for the spotlight again.
May Wrapup
25-32 overall, 14-15 for the month
Quite a bit of roster movement this month, between injuries and trade, and things are looking a little better. I'm good with the pitching staff, as Alex White works his way back in (1-2, 5.40 ERA in 5 games). Besides White, only Keuchel (4.72) and Chapman (4.09) had ERAs over 4.00 for the month. Believe it or not, Harrell is the ace of the staff so far, leading the way with his 2.87 ERA, though his FIP of 5.43 is scary looking forward. I'll keep a close eye on him to potentially trade him soon while his value is still a little higher. Jesse Crain and Anthony Bass are sporting a 1.50 ERA so far, with Fields not too far behind at 1.91.
Marc Krauss has gotten hot, hitting .304 with 5 HR in May. Chris Carter is still, somehow, keeping up his unreal BABIP and hit another 6 HR this month. George Springer's struggles continue, as he hit just .152 in May. For the season, Carter's hitting .290 with 15 homers and 81 strikeouts. No way he keeps this up much longer, right? Springer is hitting .153 on the season with a .183 BABIP. If things don't turn around for him soon, he'll be the guy going to OKC when Fowler returns.
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