SB Nation Houston - Astros Spring Training: Jordan Schafer To See Hand Specialisthttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/46691/houston-fave.png2012-04-04T18:20:05-05:00http://houston.sbnation.com/rss/stream/26168942012-04-04T18:20:05-05:002012-04-04T18:20:05-05:00Astros Spring Training 2012 Wrap
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<p>With the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.vivaelbirdos.com/">St. Louis Cardinals</a> and <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.fishstripes.com/">Miami Marlins</a> kicking off the 2012 MLB season tonight, Spring Training 2012 has finally been closed. The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.crawfishboxes.com/">Houston Astros</a>, fittingly, went through a period of change this spring, and are now ready to open up the 2012 season against the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.purplerow.com/">Colorado Rockies</a>.</p>
<p>Perhaps the biggest, and most shocking, change to the 2012 Astros is with the pitching staff. Last year's Opening Day starter, <span>Brett Myers</span>, is now serving as Houston's closer. Myers does have experience as a closer, as he served as Philadelphia's closer in 2007 and pitched out of the bullpen in 2009 as well, before making 66 starts for the Astros the last two seasons.</p>
<p>Once a highly regarded top prospect, <span>Brett Wallace</span> is back in the minor leagues. The Astros decided to option Wallace to AAA, presumably to get consistent at bats and further his development. </p>
<p>Perhaps the most exciting player in Houston's camp this year was <span>Jordan Schafer</span>, who hit .379/.455/.483, and earned the starting gig in center field as a result. </p>
<p><i>For more on the Astros, be sure to head over to the <a target="_blank" href="http://www.crawfishboxes.com/">Crawfish Boxes</a>.</i></p>
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https://houston.sbnation.com/houston-astros/2012/4/4/2926399/2012-houston-astros-spring-trainingJP Starkey2012-04-01T15:05:41-05:002012-04-01T15:05:41-05:00Astros Rule 5 Pick Marwin Gonzalez Will Make Opening Day Roster, Brett Wallace Optioned To Triple-A
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<p>The <a href="https://www.crawfishboxes.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Houston Astros</a> have had to do a ton of roster shuffling prior to the start of the season, but one player who looked to have their role defined is middle infielder <span>Marwin Gonzalez</span>. Gonzalez, a Rule 5 pick by Houston, will be on the Astros’ opening day roster, thus making his major league debut later this week. Per MLB guidelines, Gonzalez must stay on with the club all season or else will be moved back to waivers and offered back to the <a href="https://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Chicago Cubs</a> at a discounted rate.</p>
<p>Astros' general manager <a href="http://blog.chron.com/ultimateastros/2012/04/01/astros-rule-5-pick-marwin-gonzalez-makes-club-wallace-to-aaa/?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter" target="_blank">Jeff Luhnow speaks on what Gonzalez brings to the club</a>:</p>
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<p>"Marwin has done a great job defensively; he’s shown that he’s capable of taking major league at-bats. I think we saw a couple of good plays in the game today. He’s ready. He’s a valuable asset for us and we like to have a guy like that in the organization. To do that, we have to keep him on the 25."</p>
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<p>With <span>Chris Johnson</span> solidifying his spot as the starter at third base, <span>Brett Wallace</span> will go to Class AAA Oklahoma City and get receive regular playing time at third base.</p>
<p><i>For more on the Astros head on over to <b><a href="http://crawfishboxes.com/" target="_blank">Crawfish Boxes</a></b> and For more news and notes from around the majors, check out SB Nation's baseball hub, <b><a href="http://baseballnation.com/" target="_blank">Baseball Nation</a></b>.</i></p>
https://houston.sbnation.com/houston-astros/2012/4/1/2918513/astros-rule-5-pick-marwin-gonzalez-will-make-opening-day-rosterEddie Maisonet2012-04-01T10:21:19-05:002012-04-01T10:21:19-05:00MLB Opening Day 2012: Houston Astros Set To Open Against Rockies
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<p>Opening Day 2012 is right around the corner, and for <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.crawfishboxes.com/">Houston Astros</a> fans, it's a bittersweet time. It's the start of a new regime in Houston, with a new owner and general manager, but it's also the last season that the Astros will be in the National League. </p>
<p><span>Wandy Rodriguez</span> will start on Opening Day for Houston, which is on Friday, April 6, as the Astros host the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.purplerow.com/">Colorado Rockies</a>. <span>Jeremy Guthrie</span> will start for the Rockies against Rodriguez. Astros fans will get a treat on Saturday, April 7, as the timeless <span>Jamie Moyer</span> will start for the Rockies against Houston.</p>
<p>Houston's homestand will continue with a series against the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.talkingchop.com/">Atlanta Braves</a>, before the Astros head on the road for the first time this season. Houston's first road series in 2012 will come against the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.fishstripes.com/">Miami Marlins</a>, so Astros fans will get a firsthand look at that home run....sculpture in Miami.</p>
<p><i>For more on the Astros, be sure to check out the <a href="http://www.crawfishboxes.com/" target="_blank">Crawfish Boxes</a>.</i></p>
https://houston.sbnation.com/houston-astros/2012/4/1/2917996/mlb-opening-day-2012-houston-astros-set-to-open-against-rockiesJP Starkey2012-04-01T08:54:06-05:002012-04-01T08:54:06-05:00Astros' Brandon Lyon Ready To Return To Bullpen
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<p>Ugly is the only way to describe <span>Brandon Lyon</span> in 2011. Lyon appeared in 15 games for the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.crawfishboxes.com/">Houston Astros</a>, pitching 13.1 innings, while giving up a staggering 17 runs on 27 hits, while walking five and striking out only six.</p>
<p>Very few major league players are <i>that</i> bad when healthy. Lyon certainly wasn't healthy, and he had to undergo surgery to place his biceps tendon back in its proper place. </p>
<p>Lyon, though, is ten months removed from the surgery and is<a href="http://blog.chron.com/ultimateastros/2012/03/31/brandon-lyon-nearing-end-of-long-road-back/" target="_blank"> ready to roll for the Astros</a> as a member of their 2012 bullpen. Per the Houston Chronicle:</p>
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<p>"Right now he's a regular member of the bullpen," general manager Jeff Luhnow said, in contrast to the notion that the Astros still might consider him a patient. "His velocity's up to 91, he's a veteran, he throws strikes. He's a key piece to our bullpen right now."</p>
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<p>Lyon's contract with the Astros expires after this year. While he's likely never going to be a closer again, he should prove to be a capable member of Houston's bullpen -- and perhaps another team's bullpen come August this year, if he's pitching well enough to trade. </p>
<p><i>For more on the Astros, be sure to head over to the <a href="http://www.crawfishboxes.com/" target="_blank">Crawfish Boxes and join the discussion</a>.</i></p>
https://houston.sbnation.com/houston-astros/2012/4/1/2917844/astros-brandon-lyon-ready-to-return-to-bullpenJP Starkey2012-03-31T16:09:42-05:002012-03-31T16:09:42-05:00Spring Training 2012: Astros Fall To Yankees 11-9 In Rain Shortened Game
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<p><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'Liberation Sans', FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">There was no shortage in offense Saturday afternoon between the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.crawfishboxes.com/">Houston Astros</a> and <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.pinstripealley.com/">New York Yankees</a>. Wind and rain played a factor in the Astros 11-9 loss. The game actually ended with one out in the top of the ninth due to the rain that finally came down.</span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 12px; border-image: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: bottom; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'Liberation Sans', FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 18px; padding: 0px; border: 0px initial initial;">Both teams combined for 20 runs on 28 hits and there were nine home runs. The Astros had home runs by <span>Justin Ruggiano</span>, Carlos Lee, <span>Brian Bogusevic</span> and <span>Chris Johnson</span>. This game saw a run scored in every inning except the fourth.</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 12px; border-image: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: bottom; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'Liberation Sans', FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 18px; padding: 0px; border: 0px initial initial;">The Astros led 5-4 after three innings but the Yankees had a four-run fifth inning to pull away and hold off the Astros comeback in the later innings.</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 12px; border-image: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: bottom; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'Liberation Sans', FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 18px; padding: 0px; border: 0px initial initial;">Justin Ruggiano went 2-for-4 with four RBIs and he hit his first home run of the spring which was a three-run blast. Brian Bogusevic hit his second home run of spring training and went 2-for-4 with two RBIs. Chris Johnson went 3 for 4 with two runs scored and a solo home run in the eighth inning.</p>
<p>Starting pitcher <span>Jordan Lyles</span> is looking to nail down one of the two open starting rotation spots, but his showing on Saturday did not go very well as he gave up eight runs and 11 hits in 4 2/3 innings.</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 12px; border-image: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: bottom; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'Liberation Sans', FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 18px; padding: 0px; border: 0px initial initial;"><i style="border-image: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; padding: 0px; margin: 0px; border: 0px initial initial;">For more on the Astros go visit <b style="border-image: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; padding: 0px; margin: 0px; border: 0px initial initial;"><a style="border-image: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; color: #365317; padding: 0px; margin: 0px; border: 0px initial initial;" href="http://crawfishboxes.com/" target="_blank">Crawfish Boxes</a> </b>and for even more baseball coverage go visit <a style="border-image: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; color: #365317; font-weight: bold; padding: 0px; margin: 0px; border: 0px initial initial;" href="http://baseballnation.com/" target="_blank"><b style="border-image: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; padding: 0px; margin: 0px; border: 0px initial initial;">Baseball Nation</b></a>.</i></p>
https://houston.sbnation.com/houston-astros/2012/3/31/2916823/spring-training-2012-astros-yankees-final-scoreJeremy Mauss2012-03-31T10:48:54-05:002012-03-31T10:48:54-05:00Houston Astros Spring Training 2012: Astros Split Two Game Tilt With Braves
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<p>The Astros only had one hit through three innings against Atlanta starter <span>Randall Delgado</span>, but blew up in the fourth inning to win 5-1 and split a two game split-squad series with the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.talkingchop.com/">Braves</a>. </p>
<p>In his last start before the regular season, <span>Bud Norris</span> allowed four hits and one run in six innings and <span>Chris Johnson</span> had a pair of RBIs. Norris only pitched three innings in his previous start because of tightness in his arm, but zipped through six innings on Friday, allowing only one run on a <span>Martin Prado</span> double.</p>
<p><span>Jordan Lyles</span> will start against the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.pinstripealley.com/">New York Yankees</a> on Saturday at 12:05 p.m. CT. Lyles is competing for one of the final two spots in the rotation with <span>Kyle Weiland</span> and <span>Lucas Harrell</span> after <span>Livan Hernandez</span> was released. Lyles has allowed 11 earned runs in 15 /23 innings in four starts through Spring Training. </p>
<p><i>For more on the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.crawfishboxes.com/">Houston Astros</a>, be sure to check out <a href="http://crawishboxes.com">The Crawfish Boxes</a> and <a href="http://mlb.sbnation.com">Baseball Nation</a>. </i></p>
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https://houston.sbnation.com/houston-astros/2012/3/31/2916178/houston-astros-spring-training-2012-astros-split-two-game-tilt-withSteven Godfrey2012-03-30T21:12:46-05:002012-03-30T21:12:46-05:00Jed Lowrie Injury: MRI Shows No Damage To Right Thumb
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<img alt="Mar 14, 2012; Jupiter, FL. USA; Houston Astros shortstop Jed Lowrie (4) throws out a St. Louis Cardinals base runner at Roger Dean Stadium. The Astros defeated the Cardinals 4-3. Mandatory Credit: Scott Rovak-US PRESSWIRE" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/KdCotdMhBHLdFCKBLLaTlifbzik=/0x163:560x536/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/photo_images/6000090/20120314_jel_sr6_474.jpg" />
<figcaption>Mar 14, 2012; Jupiter, FL. USA; Houston Astros shortstop Jed Lowrie (4) throws out a St. Louis Cardinals base runner at Roger Dean Stadium. The Astros defeated the Cardinals 4-3. Mandatory Credit: Scott Rovak-US PRESSWIRE</figcaption>
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<p>Jed Lowrie injured his thumb against the Marlins and while the MRI showed no damage he is listed as day-to-day and his status for opening day is unclear at this point.</p> <p><a href="https://www.crawfishboxes.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Houston Astros</a> starting shortstop <span>Jed Lowrie</span> had a MRI on his right thumb and the results showed no ligament damage. Lowrie is officially listed as day-do-day, but he is <a target="_blank" href="http://blog.chron.com/ultimateastros/2012/03/30/lowrie-hopeful-for-opening-day-after-mri-shows-no-damage/">hopeful that he can be in the starting lineup next week for opening day</a>:</p>
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<p>"I think it would be ill-advised to put a timeline on it just because I have no idea how it's going to react and how long it's going to take to get that inflammation out and get the range of motion and strength back," Lowrie said.</p>
<p>"Every day I come in, I want to get as much work done as possible and when it's ready it's ready. "Obviously I want to play opening day."</p>
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<p>Lowrie injured his thumb against the <a href="https://www.fishstripes.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Miami Marlins</a> when he dove back to second base on a pickoff play. It would only be nine days from the injury to opening day, and Lowrie sat out Friday's split-squad game to rest the thumb.</p>
<p><i>For more on the Astros go visit <b><a target="_blank" href="http://crawfishboxes.com">Crawfish Boxes</a> </b>and for even more baseball coverage go visit <a target="_blank" href="http://baseballnation.com"><b>Baseball Nation</b></a>.</i></p>
https://houston.sbnation.com/houston-astros/2012/3/30/2915481/jed-lowrie-injury-mri-shows-no-damage-to-right-thumbJeremy Mauss2012-03-27T12:59:46-05:002012-03-27T12:59:46-05:00Jordan Schafer Injury Update: Astros CF To See Hand Specialist
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<p><a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.crawfishboxes.com/">Houston Astros</a> center fielder <span>Jordan Schafer</span> injured his left hand <a target="_blank" href="http://houston.sbnation.com/2012/3/20/2887993/jordan-schafer-injury-update-astros-hand/in/2616894">while making a diving catch on March 18 in Spring Training</a>. The injury was initially diagnosed as a sprain and Schafer was supposed to miss about a week of Spring Training time as a result. He has still not returned to the lineup.</p>
<p><a target="_blank" href="http://brianmctaggart.mlblogs.com/2012/03/27/schafer-to-see-hand-specialist-in-atlanta/">On Tuesday, Brian McTaggert of MLB.com reported</a> that Schafer is experiencing issues with nerves in his hand and has scheduled a flight to Atlanta to consult with a hand specialist. Astros general manager Jeff Luhnow is optimistic that Schafer can still start the season.</p>
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<p>"My sense is that by the weekend he'll be back hitting and hopefully be in games by the end of the weekend," Luhnow said. "We have to be cautious and if he feels any discomfort at all we're going to take it easy on him. The goal is to have him ready to go on Opening Day."</p>
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<p>Schafer has a history of left hand injuries, so hopefully this is just an extra precaution and not indicative of a more serious issue.</p>
<p><i>For more on the Astros head on over to <a target="_blank" href="http://crawfishboxes.com/">Crawfish Boxes</a> and For more news and notes from around the majors, check out SB Nation's baseball hub, <a target="_blank" href="http://baseballnation.com/">Baseball Nation</a>.</i></p>
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https://houston.sbnation.com/houston-astros/2012/3/27/2906392/jordan-schafer-injury-update-hand-specialistBill Hanstock