Alex Bregman returned to the Astros’ lineup this afternoon, hitting atop the order whereas taking part in designated hitter. Bregman’s leadoff homer accounted for the one run in a 4-1 loss to the Crimson Sox. That was his first at-bat in every week, because the two-time All-Star hadn’t performed since final Wednesday due to irritation in his proper elbow.
Bregman’s return to the order doesn’t imply he’s at full energy. Breaking him again in at DH instructed the Astros have been nonetheless involved about him throwing the ball throughout the diamond. Bregman acknowledged that might be an issue for the foreseeable future. The third baseman advised reporters after the sport that his defensive work will probably be “a fluid state of affairs” for the rest of the season (hyperlink through Chandler Rome of the Athletic). Bregman made clear that he wasn’t coping with any structural harm in his UCL however famous he’d must “attempt to mitigate” swelling each day.
That’s removed from a declaration that he received’t return to 3rd base, but it appears possible he’ll get a good quantity of run at designated hitter down the stretch. That would push Yordan Alvarez extra incessantly into left subject. Houston has additionally given catchers Yainer Diaz and Victor Caratini sporadic DH work as a way of maintaining them recent whereas getting each gamers into the lineup. Caratini, because the #2 choice behind the plate, might lose just a few reps. Diaz has began two of the previous three video games at first base, the place the Astros had been utilizing a Jon Singleton/Zach Dezenzo platoon. That’s one other potential avenue for supervisor Joe Espada to maintain each catchers within the lineup.
The larger query is how the Astros would cowl third base if Bregman’s taking part in time there’s curtailed. Rookie Shay Whitcomb is evidently the primary selection. Houston referred to as him up on Thursday and has given him the previous 5 begins on the scorching nook. Whitcomb has had an amazing yr in Triple-A, hitting .293/.378/.530 with 25 homers and 26 stolen bases. He’d struggled with strikeouts all through his minor league profession earlier than taking a big step ahead in that regard this season.
At this level, there’s no indication that Bregman is coping with something particularly worrisome. It’s nonetheless a state of affairs price monitoring because the Astros work to lock down one other division title and into the upcoming offseason. Bregman will probably be a free agent for the primary time and has a case because the second-best place participant within the class behind Juan Soto.
As MLBTR explored in higher element final week, Bregman has rebounded from a dismal begin to the season. He has hit the ball more durable because the yr has progressed and has been on an influence barrage this month. Whereas his total .261/.318/.450 season line continues to be beneath his normal stage, that’s attributable to the poor begin. Bregman is taking part in in addition to ever over the previous couple months.