MARCH 2, 2021•MLB.COM
Still Houston Strong: 2017 Astros who remainIt’s been nearly four years since the Astros won their only World Series title, beating the Dodgers in seven games in the 2017 Fall Classic....
Nearly ready for game actionStrasburg (hand) could pitch in a game as soon as this weekend, Maria Torres of The Athletic reports.
ImpactStrasburg underwent surgery on his right hand back in August to address carpal tunnel neuritis. He's been throwing since the start of camp, so while there's definitely some risk (as with any player coming off surgery), the procedure doesn't appear to have significantly hindered his preseason preparation. He's expected to get into a game a few days after Max Scherzer (ankle), who could pitch as soon as Friday.
MARCH 2, 2021•ROTOWIRE
Slated to play WednesdayNationals manager Dave Martinez said Soto (foot) will play in Wednesday's Grapefruit League game against the Marlins, Mark Zuckerman of MASNSports.com reports.
ImpactSoto was withheld from Monday's game against the Astros after fouling a ball off his right foot a day earlier, but his absence from the lineup was described as precautionary. The star outfielder cleared up any concern about his health by turning in a workout without incident Tuesday, prompting Martinez to sign off on his spring debut. Soto will likely only get one or two at-bats Wednesday before subbing out of the game.
MARCH 2, 2021•ROTOWIRE
Tracking toward Friday startScherzer (ankle) is lined up to start Friday against the Cardinals if his bullpen session Wednesday goes well, Mark Zuckerman of MASNSports.com reports.
ImpactScherzer came into camp carrying a left ankle sprain, though the Nationals have never seemed particularly worried about the issue. He's being brought along somewhat cautiously but still has plenty of time to get up to speed by the start of the season. The veteran has yet to throw a live batting practice session, but the team is comfortable throwing him right into game action as long as he checks out fine after his bullpen session.
MARCH 2, 2021•ROTOWIRE
Hoping for LASIK boostKieboom underwent LASIK surgery over the offseason, which hitting coach Kevin Long said Tuesday is already having a noticeable effect, Mark Zuckerman of MASNSports.com reports.
ImpactKieboom clearly needed to do something, as he hasn't come close to delivering on his considerable prospect promise through his first 44 big-league games, hitting just .181/.309/.232. In addition to the eye procedure, he also tweaked his batting stance over the winter. It's certainly possible those two changes help him reach a new level this year, especially as he's still just 23 years old, though it's of course far from guaranteed that either change will have the desired effect on his stat line.
MARCH 2, 2021•ROTOWIRE
The Latest: NHL's COVID-19 list at season-low three players
The list of players in the NHL’s COVID-19 protocol has dropped to a season-low three, despite the additions of Pittsburgh captain Sidney Crosby and Nashville’s Ryan JohansenMARCH 2, 2021•ASSOCIATED PRESS
Hammered in debutCishek gave up back-to-back-to-back home runs in Monday's spring game against Washington, Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports.
ImpactCishek's mission of making the Astros bullpen as a non-roster invitee got off to a bad start, but the homer barrage was the result of tinkering, suggesting the outing was an aberration. Two of the three home runs he allowed came off his changeup, a pitch he rarely throws -- just 58 times over the last seven seasons, according to Baseball Savant. "There's a reason why I don't throw too many of those," Cishek said. Despite the poor first impression, the 34-year-old's track record and wealth of experience are likely to land him a spot in the bullpen.
MARCH 2, 2021•ROTOWIRE
