SEPTEMBER 16, 2021•THEATHLETIC.COM
Astros notes: Zack Greinke's postseason role, Michael Brantley's knee issue and Taylor Jones's demotionGreinke's recent struggles raise the question as to whether he is one of the Astros' four best options to start a postseason game.
Josh James - Rejoins big-league clubJames was recalled from Triple-A Sugar Land on Wednesday, Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports.
ImpactJames shifted to the taxi squad after being optioned off the big-league roster Sept. 5, and he'll now rejoin the active roster Wednesday with Michael Brantley (knee) heading to the injured list. The right-hander has pitched in only one game for the Astros this season.
SEPTEMBER 16, 2021•ROTOWIRE
Michael Brantley - Moves to injured listBrantley was placed on the 10-day injured list Wednesday with right knee soreness, Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports.
ImpactBrantley hasn't seen the field since Saturday due to the knee issue and was already expected to be sidelined until at least Friday, but he's now looking at a longer absence. The move to the injured list should be retroactive, which would make the 34-year-old eligible to be activated next Wednesday, though it's unclear if he's expected to be healthy enough to play at that point.
SEPTEMBER 15, 2021•ROTOWIRE
Hyeon-jong Yang - Designated for assignmentYang was designated for assignment by the Rangers on Wednesday.
ImpactYang was sent to Triple-A Round Rock on Tuesday, but he'll now be removed from the 40-man roster to make room for Willie Calhoun (forearm), who was reinstated from the 60-day injured list Wednesday. The southpaw made 12 appearances (four starts) in the majors this year and generated a 5.60 ERA and 1.64 WHIP in 35.1 innings.
SEPTEMBER 15, 2021•ROTOWIRE
Andre Scrubb - Activated, optionedScrubb (shoulder) was reinstated from the 60-day injured list and optioned to Triple-A Sugar Land on Wednesday, Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports.
ImpactScrubb began a rehab assignment at the end of August and recorded a 1.69 ERA and 1.31 WHIP in 5.1 innings across 5.1 innings. He'll remain in the minors now that he's healthy but will be considered for a call-up if the Astros need a fresh bullpen arm late in the season.
SEPTEMBER 15, 2021•ROTOWIRE
Taylor Jones - Reinstated, sent downJones was reinstated from the COVID-19 injured list and optioned to Triple-A Sugar Land on Wednesday, Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports.
ImpactJones had been on the COVID-19 IL since the end of August, but he recently went 2-for-5 with a run, an RBI and four walks across two rehab games in Sugar Land. He'll remain with the minor-league club but will likely be an option to be recalled if the Astros need additional depth in the final few weeks of the season.
SEPTEMBER 15, 2021•ROTOWIRE
Robel García - Designated for assignmentGarcia was designated for assignment by the Rangers on Wednesday, Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports.
ImpactGarcia was optioned to Triple-A Sugar Land in early September, and he hit .136 with a homer, three runs, two RBI and six walks across seven games since then. The 28-year-old will now be cast off the 40-man roster but could remain in the organization if he goes unclaimed on waivers.
SEPTEMBER 15, 2021•ROTOWIRE
