Bryce Harper, José Altuve top Ben Verlander's Team of the Week
Some of MLB's biggest stars broke out of early-season slumps, while the first no-hitter of the year came from an unlikely source.APRIL 8
HOUSTON ASTROS 88-73 · 1ST IN AL WEST
88-73 · 1ST IN AL WEST
Framber (sore elbow) scratched, but Astros cautiously optimistic The Astros' hobbled rotation endured a bit of a scare on Monday, when ace left-hander Framber Valdez was scratched from his scheduled start...
APRIL 8 • MLB.COM
Framber Valdez - Getting sore elbow checked out Valdez was scratched from Monday's start against the Rangers when he felt soreness in the top of his left elbow after playing catch, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.
Impact Valdez has been sent back to Houston to be evaluated by team doctors. That he has not yet been placed on the injured list would seem to be a somewhat positive sign, but more will be known about a potential timetable after the left-hander gets checked out. Blair Henley is drawing a spot start Monday in Valdez's place.
APRIL 8 • ROTOWIRE
Miguel Díaz - DFA'd by Houston The Astros designated Diaz for assignment Monday, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.
Impact The move corresponds with the Astros selecting the contract of right-hander Blair Henley from Triple-A Sugar Land. Diaz was claimed by the Astros on April 4 after being DFA'd by the Tigers on March 28 following a poor spring training. He appeared in one game for Houston this season, pitching one scoreless inning April 5 against the Rangers. Diaz will be available on waivers for an organization in need of bullpen depth.
APRIL 8 • ROTOWIRE
Blair Henley - Contract selected for MLB debut The Astros selected Henley's contract from Triple-A Sugar Land, and he's scheduled to start Monday against the Rangers, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.
Impact It remains unclear why Framber Valdez was scratched from his start Monday, but it will give Henley the chance to make his MLB debut. Henley spent last season at Double-A Corpus Christi and had a 5.06 ERA over 106.1 innings, and he allowed two earned runs with a 6:4 K:BB in five frames during his lone outing for Sugar Land this season. The 26-year-old righty doesn't have significant prospect pedigree and is facing one of the best lineups is baseball, so he shouldn't be on the streaming radar.
APRIL 8 • ROTOWIRE
Houston Astros at Texas Rangers odds, picks and predictions The Houston Astros (3-7) hope to split their 4-game series with the Texas Rangers (6-3) Monday night. First pitch from Globe Life Field is s...
APRIL 8 • AZCENTRAL.COM
Justin Verlander - Mixed bag in rehab start Verlander (shoulder) allowed seven runs (six earned) on seven hits and a walk over three innings in his first rehab start with Triple-A Sugar Land on Sunday.
Impact It wasn't a pretty bottom line, although Verlander did strike out six batters and induced a solid 12 whiffs on his 65 pitches. The veteran right-hander averaged 93.5 mph with his four-seamer, which is nearly one full mph down from his average from last season. Verlander is expected to make one more rehab start later this week before rejoining the Astros' rotation as soon as April 17 versus Atlanta.
APRIL 8 • ROTOWIRE
Astros look to pick up steam in series finale vs. Rangers The Houston Astros hope their slow start is about to evaporate.After losing seven of their first nine games, the Astros will look to make it...
APRIL 8 • STAR-TELEGRAM.COM
Texas Rangers and Houston Astros meet in game 4 of series
The Texas Rangers bring a 2-1 lead into the latest game of the series against the Houston AstrosAPRIL 8 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Ronel Blanco has been a bright spot in a shaky start for the Houston Astros
Ronel Blanco’s brilliant start to the season is about the only thing going right for the Houston AstrosAPRIL 8 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
No no-no this time for Blanco, keeping Vander Meer alone. Astros starter still has historic start
Houston Astros right-hander Ronel Blanco started this season with the most no-hit innings for any pitcher in baseball's modern era since 1961APRIL 8 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Josh Hader - Secures first save Hader allowed a run on one hit and a walk in one inning Sunday and earned a save over Texas.
Impact After walking Adolis Garcia, Hader moved him up to second base with a wild pitch and eventually saw him score on a Justin Foscue single. Despite the struggles, Hader finished off the 3-1 win and earned his first save as an Astro. He's coughed up four runs over his last three innings, bumping his ERA up to 7.20 through five appearances.
APRIL 8 • ROTOWIRE
Ronel Blanco shines again, propels Astros past Rangers Ronel Blanco followed up his no-hitter with six innings of one-hit shutout ball and Yordan Alvarez slugged a three-run homer as the Houston...
APRIL 8 • KANSASCITY.COM
Houston Astros at Texas Rangers Preview - 04/08/2024 This browser does not support the video element.
APRIL 8 • MLB.COM
Astros cruise as Blanco makes another run at no-hit history ARLINGTON -- Astros right-hander Ronel Blanco, who tossed an out-of-nowhere no-hitter in his first outing of the season on Monday, flirted w...
APRIL 8 • MLB.COM
Blanco follows no-hitter with six 1-hit innings as Astros beat Rangers 3-1
Houston right-hander Ronel Blanco followed his no-hitter with one-hit ball over six scoreless innings, and the Astros beat the Texas Rangers 3-1APRIL 8 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
How to Watch Astros vs. Rangers: TV Channel & Live Stream - April 8
Preview the April 8 matchup between the Houston Astros and Texas Rangers with recent trends, how to watch, livestream info, and more.APRIL 8 • DATA SKRIVE
Rangers vs. Astros Prediction, Odds, Picks - April 8
Preview the April 8 matchup between the Texas Rangers and Houston Astros with odds over/under, game spread, betting lines and more.APRIL 8 • DATA SKRIVE
Verlander accomplishes healthy goals in first rehab outing ARLINGTON -- Despite giving up six earned runs and seven hits in three-plus innings in his first Minor League rehab start on Sunday afternoo...
APRIL 7 • MLB.COM
Verlander allows 6 earned runs, strikes out 6 in 1st rehab start for Houston's Triple-A team
Justin Verlander allowed six earned runs and struck out six in pitching into the fourth inning of his first injury rehabilitation start for the Houston Astros’ Triple-A Sugar Land...APRIL 7 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Houston Astros at Kansas City Royals Preview - 04/09/2024 This browser does not support the video element.
APRIL 7 • MLB.COM
José Abreu - Out of lineup Sunday Abreu is out of the lineup for Sunday's matchup against the Rangers, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.
Impact Abreu will get a break Sunday as Jon Singleton will take the field at first base. The veteran infielder has seen the plate 28 times this year, slashing .077/.143/.077 with only two hits and two runs. Abreu's starting spot could be in question if the offensive struggles continue, especially with Triple-A prospect Joey Loperfido pushing for his major league debut.
APRIL 7 • ROTOWIRE
Astros at Rangers FREE 'Sunday Night Baseball' live stream: Time, channel ESPN is back with another edition of "Sunday Night Baseball" and a primetime matchup between the Houston Astros and Texas Rangers.
APRIL 7 • PENNLIVE.COM
Fresh off no-hitter, Astros' Ronel Blanco aims to subdue Rangers Houston Astros right-hander Ronel Blanco is making a strong argument to stay in the starting rotation after Justin Verlander and Jose Urquid...
APRIL 7 • SUNHERALD.COM
