The suddenly powerful Houston Astros have received encouraging news regarding several injured starting pitchers. After a season of injuries to their starting rotation, it couldn’t come at a better time. With the recent news regarding pitchers Jake Bloss and Luis Garcia, the Astros are one step closer to recovery.
Astros receive good news about injured pitchers
Jake Bloss
Jake Bloss, a promising prospect whose early MLB debut was cut short by injury, has made significant progress on his road to recovery. After a promising 20-pitch bullpen session that received positive feedback from both trainers and medical staff, Bloss appears ready to return to active duty in a timely manner. According to manager Joe Espada, Bloss left his bullpen with a smile on his face, which is good news for the Astros’ pitching staff. According to GM Dana Brown, he could head out for a rehab assignment as early as Saturday. The Astros are eagerly awaiting Bloss’s return soon, as the prospect showed promise in his MLB debut. His return would help an Astros team that has coped admirably throughout the season despite persistent absences of key players.
Luis Garcia
The Astros received more good news regarding their starting pitchers when it was announced that Luis Garcia would begin his journey back to the mound. Garcia has been out of action since May 2023 following Tommy John surgery. In his first rehab outing, Garcia threw one inning of scoreless baseball with 2 Ks for the Florida Complex League. Manager Joe Espada said Garcia will likely make his next rehab outing at Double-A Corpus Christi. With these positive developments, Garcia could return to the Astros in a few weeks. Since his 2021 debut, Garcia has established himself as a key piece in the Astros’ pitching rotation. With a career ERA of 3.61 and 15 wins during his last full season, Garcia would be a tremendous addition to a struggling rotation.
No news yet on other injured pitchers
The Astros are still waiting for good news on their other injured pitchers. Justin Verlander is still sidelined with a neck injury. They are also waiting on the next steps for injured pitcher Lance McCullers. With Jose Urquidy and Cristian Javier out for the rest of the season with injuries, the return of Bloss and Garcia is crucial. They would significantly increase the Astros’ pitching depth. In the mediocre AL West, that could be huge.
Both pitchers will make important contributions in the final stretch, and Houston fans have reason to be optimistic about their team’s prospects in the coming weeks and months.
Although it seemed like the Astros’ season was dead from the start, they’re still in it. Despite rotation injuries, injuries to their stars, and disasters at first base that led to the Astros having to release Jose Abreu, the Astros have found a way to stay in the race. The return of Jake Bloss and Luis Garcia could give them the edge.
Main photo credit: Thomas Shea-USA TODAY Sports
