August 7, 2024 • 16 mins
Yesterday evening Framber Valdez pitched through nine innings, almost making it a perfect game with only one out away from his second career no-hitter. The Astros pull out the victory 4-2 as Dana joins and speaks on Frambers performance along with few anticipated player injury updates.
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Episode Transcript
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Speaker 1 (00:00):
And we're back for the Sean Salisbury Show continued. Yeah,
we sure do.
Speaker 2 (00:06):
And it's great to have Mom on for his Wednesday visit,
his weekly visit. We'll get to the trade he made
last week to bring Kakuchi in and that very first start,
and we'll see him again, Ay Sap. As a matter
of fact, Dana, welcome in. It's great to have you,
astros GM and always grateful for our Wednesdays. Let's start
just with your emotion and watching which was a big
(00:27):
win yesterday. They all are, especially at this time, but
watching your your ace pitch last night, and we've seen
a Hunter Brown look like an ace.
Speaker 1 (00:35):
We've seen Renelle Blunkle look like an ace.
Speaker 2 (00:37):
Kokuchi looked like one in his first start. But Fromber's
been that guy three straight years. He's been run out there.
First emotion, going through that game, heading into the ninth
inning last night.
Speaker 3 (00:47):
Dana, Yeah, absolutely, Fromber is the definition of a workhorse.
I mean he he really showed up for us last night,
you know, very emotional ninth inning, you know, right there
on the verge of a no hitter. You know, I
I I actually thought he was gonna pull it off.
(01:08):
Then I got a little nervous when he walked the
guy and then all of a sudden the home run.
But still all in all, it was an outstanding outing
for him. You know, he was locked in from first pitch.
Speaker 1 (01:21):
Dana, have you seen just in your this year? Second
year here?
Speaker 2 (01:25):
He've been in baseball for thirty plus years, second year
here watching from But you know what a says, look
like you had him in Atlanta.
Speaker 1 (01:30):
You've seen him throughout your career.
Speaker 2 (01:33):
Does the you have you been impressed in the last
couple of years of his mental and emotional growth or
is it not where.
Speaker 1 (01:40):
It needs to be yet for you?
Speaker 2 (01:41):
Because he could have gone sideways yesterday but locked right in.
Joe sent out the pitching coach and he locked back in.
Where have you seen growth there when it comes to
the mental and emotional side, because the stuff's a no brainer.
Speaker 3 (01:53):
Yeah. I think all all frontline starters are very very competitive.
I think it's more competitive than competitiveness the emotion. I mean,
I think guys like that get they get locked in, man,
and once they get locked in, you know they're in
a fight. That's how they see it, and that's how
he That's how he views it. He's a competitor. I
(02:15):
don't think it's really emotion as much as competitiveness. And
so he loves to compete, and you know, sometimes you
know he has to just turn the dial down a
little bit, but for the most part, he's he's a
fierce competitor and he's the guy you want to hand
the ball to, regardless of what game it is. And
you know, we we love frompers So he's been outstanding
(02:39):
for us.
Speaker 2 (02:40):
And mental toughness, I mean, you know, fans will wonder, well, gosh,
thank he gets a little and they're the competitiveness what
you're talking about the line between competitive and the slope
and mental toughness. You trust his mental toughness in any
big game you're going to play. Is that where you
are with him and his future right now?
Speaker 3 (02:56):
Dana, Yeah, absolutely. You know that mental toughness is what
you see in a ace pitchers. You know, if you're
an ace, you have that mental toughness. You know, it's
it's it's one of those things where you're so competitive
that you get locked in and this guy, he gets
(03:17):
locked in and I love handing him the ball and
he pitches big games for us time and time again.
When we need to win. You know, a team was
struggling a little bit there for a few days, and
hand the ball to fromber and he goes out and
he gives up one hit, and you know in eight
and two thirds and so he's a lockdown pitcher. He's
(03:38):
the guy that you want to hand the ball to
for sure.
Speaker 2 (03:41):
Dana Brown asked us GM for his weekly visit here
on Sports Talk seven ninety Sean Salisbury Show. Dana, before
you came on, we were just kind of discussing and Marvel.
I'm not telling you anything you don't know, but I'm
just trying to get your feel for the stay with
all the injuries Javier and Arkeaty and Garcia and mccullors
and France and Berlander, and here we are from We're
almost thos. A no hitter. Renelle Blanco's been sensational for
(04:02):
the most part all year long, consistent, Hunter Brown looks
like a front line ace. And now Kokuchi if this
is who he is, And you said you'll get a
lot of swing and miss, and I'll be damned double
digit strikeouts in his opener, Think about where you are
and you still got four guys and look at Arragett
he's twelve strikeouts after all this nine deep. It's got
(04:23):
to be impressive to you to see the way these
guys have come up and stepped up big in lieu
of all the nonsense with injuries.
Speaker 3 (04:31):
Yeah, you know, I've said it from day one when
I got here, I watched these guys. You know, A
big tribute those to our you know, our pitching staff
and what they do with pitchers. You know, these guys
are probably you know, some of the best in the business,
and I think they do an outstanding job of getting
guys ready and getting mentally prepared and just having the
(04:52):
depth that we have. You know, it's been unbelievable when
you have six starters on the il and your starting
rotation is really starting to firm up and pitch well.
And you know, we see we should see Verlander back
here soon, and that'll be you know, we could probably
go to about six man rotation at that time and
this dog days of August and really get through this thing.
(05:15):
And right now we're half game back and we got
our starters all lined up, and so you know, this
is a tribute to this organization and how well they've
done with pitching. And I Honestly, it's fun to be
a part of it. It's pitching. It's pitching. Pitching. Pitching
is what you need to win. And it's no uh,
you know, it's no mistake that we've gone to seven straights. Yes,
(05:35):
it's uh, with the pitching that we've had and developed
here in this organization.
Speaker 2 (05:40):
Dana, what we saw on the trade you pulled off
and you told us last week this guy's got really
good stuff. It'll even be better here. You you went
through a litany of things of why this was a
good trade and why you were better with Kakuchi. Well,
double digit strikeouts was impressive. Is that who you expect
(06:01):
him to be regularly? Is that the guy when you
made the trade that you expected.
Speaker 3 (06:07):
Yeah, I mean, I know we knew that this is
a strikeout picture. You know, he can get it done.
The one thing, the first inning there got off to
a little bit of a slow start. We just he
had to mix its pitches. You know, he came out,
you know, you can't just overpower major league hitters with
a fastball, so you have to really uh, you know,
(06:29):
adding some track. And as soon as he started to
add and adding subtract, you know, the fastball started to
play up and he started to get the swing and
miss at he's table of getting and I think that,
you know, we needed to add a starter like that,
and and hopefully he can continue this because down the
stretch we're gonna need him. And right now we're rolling
(06:50):
out five starters in the movie that that can win games.
And that's how you get on these winning streaks. And
then you add JV to the mix. When he comes back,
it's got a chance to be spec so and so hopefully,
you know, we can get on this roll and the
offense can pick up because right now we're really pitching.
Speaker 2 (07:06):
Well, hey, Dana, what was the you know, a guy
who Cakuchi in Toronto's doing this thing all of a
sudden comes here and decides first start to mix in
what more change up off speed stuff, and you mentioned
which makes the fastball even better.
Speaker 1 (07:20):
What was the deciding voice? Why they in.
Speaker 2 (07:23):
Truth it was like an overnight change. Why did he
decide to switch and use more stuff? What was a
convincing factor for him?
Speaker 3 (07:31):
Yeah, I think what we do is we do a
lot of preparation before the game, and you know our
advanced reports, we have advanced guys and you know, we
go through this and then you know, you take a
veteran catcher like Kartini who caught him, you know, he
knows how important it is to mix it in and honestly,
it was just the perfect storm. And hopefully we can
(07:53):
continue that with his start today. You know, you use
that fastball, you know, you've got a good fast all,
but you can't overpower these guys. You've got to mix
in the fighter. You've got to mix in the change up.
And I think that was part of you know, the
advanced report, and uh, you know, we got him to
buy in and he had a good adding. Hopefully we
get that today as well.
Speaker 1 (08:13):
Boy did he?
Speaker 2 (08:14):
Boy did he ever get that second start today in
the day game against the Rangers. All right, let's roll
through a few quick injury reports your j v UH
minor leagues get going. When do you expect him If
it goes as expected, how how long before.
Speaker 1 (08:27):
We can have him on the major league ross.
Speaker 3 (08:30):
Yeah, so he's got to start this weekend, Uh, probably
in sugar Land Friday or Saturday. So that's you know,
going to be tell tale. So depending on how that goes,
you know, we'll you know, we'll be able to talk
more about it next Wednesday. But depending on how that goes,
you know, we could see him back here, uh soon.
We're hoping he goes through and carves those guys up
and maybe get another start, you know, in the minor leagues,
(08:52):
and then he should be ready.
Speaker 1 (08:54):
Good.
Speaker 3 (08:55):
That's there's a good chance he'll be ready sooner rather
than later. So you know, he's made great progress over
over the last three weeks, so we're looking forward to
him coming back.
Speaker 1 (09:06):
Well, won't that be a nice shot of red bull?
All right?
Speaker 2 (09:09):
Garcia a little setback. How severe is the setback? And
how much longer are we waiting before he gets back out?
Speaker 3 (09:18):
Yeah, we don't have a timeline on Garcia yet. You know,
I was talking yesterday and I said, you know, one
of the things we have to remember is when you
have a guy that's you know, had Tommy John like this,
and we have to really think about his future. So
when he has a little discomfort, we have to pay
attention to it. He said he'd felt a lot better
the other day, which is a good thing. We're going
(09:41):
to really need Garcia going forward, and so we don't
want to push him too hard, you know, we tried
to push him a little bit, but we don't want
to push him too hard because what happens is you
don't want to, you know, miss him next year. Next
year is going to be a big year for us too,
with these starters. So I think that, you know, we
don't have a time we don't have a timeline right now,
(10:03):
but I think for the most part, we'll have more
you know, for you guys next week, uh seven to
ten days. But you know, make no mistake, we're gonna
we're gonna need him going forward in the future, and
we don't want to push him too hard. We really
feel good about our six starters right now, and so
we'll we'll stay locked in on his progress.
Speaker 2 (10:24):
So is GM Dana Brown for a couple more minutes
here on Sports Talk seven ninety and in the most
severe bone bruise maybe we've seen in a long time.
Speaker 1 (10:31):
We're into two months now.
Speaker 2 (10:33):
I had asked you probably three weeks ago if if Tucker,
if there's a chance we wouldn't see him till September,
and you said that it would really disappoint you if
the injury lasted that long. Are we in danger of
not seeing him in scept until September.
Speaker 3 (10:48):
I think I think we should get him back sometime
this month. You know, he had an outstanding day yesterday
with some baseball activity, and so, uh, you know, he's
he's pretty much you know, paying free. You know, so
he's making great progress. You know, we got good reports
from you know, yesterday, I saw some video. He's back
(11:09):
in Houston. You know, we're up here in Arlington, but
he's back in Houston, and he's he's he really had
some real good activity yesterday and and so that that's
very good progress. And so I've said it before. I
think when you go through this type of injury and
it starts to feel good, things move a lot quicker
(11:29):
than you you would expect. I know it's been a
long time, but this is the type of injury that
once it starts to feel really good and you can
rotate and turn and pivot and do all those things,
I think you come pretty quick. It's just at that point,
it's just a matter of getting some running in and
getting back to shape and getting you know, h three
(11:50):
or four minor league games in and then hopefully we
get them back to the big leagues. It would be
great to get them back to the big leagues. Sometimes
it's a month. I think there's a chance that that
can happen. Uh, you know, the disappointment if it happens
in September. It's just that we you know, we need
him so bad. You know we're going to a stretch
right now in our offense that you know, we we
(12:11):
were playing well without him, but you knew there was
just a matter of time that you need Tucker back
in that lineup. And you see it the other day
when they walked down the redge twice. I mean usually
if you got Tucker hitting right behind him, you know,
it's like pick your poison. So and that's the tough
part when he's out. We we fought. We we've been
feeling it more over the last week than ever before.
Speaker 2 (12:35):
And he's pain free though right now he's Yesterday was
a pain free day, he said, correct.
Speaker 3 (12:40):
Yeah, he felt really good. It was outstanding. So, uh,
you know the big tell Teal is today, after you
have a good workout, you know, how does it feel
the next day, and so you know we'll know more,
you know, by midday today. But he had a great
day yesterday. It was really exciting.
Speaker 1 (12:57):
So good that's good news.
Speaker 2 (12:58):
Good news for everybody, and I know need that left
handed bat in the line of data with that you mentioned,
even though they win, I think left ten runners on,
is it a major concern?
Speaker 1 (13:09):
You know? Is it minimal concern?
Speaker 2 (13:11):
Kind of a concern, major concern about the inconsistency to
push runs across and score runs the last two or
three weeks and leaving runners on, which has been kind
of a problem all year. Do you trust you can
come out of this or is this just who you
are in twenty twenty four?
Speaker 3 (13:26):
No, I think you know, we had that stretch where
we were you know, average dominates runs per game, right,
you know, And so I don't think this is one
of those things where it's going to be like that
all year. You know, we've been good. That offense has
been really good. It's just been a little up and
down at times. And I think right now we're really
(13:46):
missing Tucker. And you know, when you have a batman,
I mean, that's one of your best bats right there,
and the fact that it's left handed it's even more special.
But you know, I think the offense is kind of
cold right now, but I think we'll definitely heat up.
You know, it's just a matter of bearing down and
seeing some seeing more pitches. What happens is these guys
(14:07):
they start to press a little bit, you know, and
and when you start to press, you start to chase pitches.
I think we have to see a few more pitches
get locked down into our zone. And uh, you know,
we we brought up the Senzo because we felt like,
you know, he was having a really good year and
trip Awa and you know, we could use a nice
(14:28):
little spark. And so I think the bats. I think
the bats are going to be fine.
Speaker 2 (14:33):
Yeah, Tucker back will help is from I mean, uh,
or dance a few more pitches, which would be nice
to get this thing heat up. The home run yesterday
was good to see. And then lastly, you mentioned de Senzo,
you a guy like Whitcomb. What goes into the decision
to choose one guy over another, Dana? I mean, when
when you guys decided to bring some of it because
(14:54):
you're relying on some young players on the mound and
in the field to help you guys through this. So
what goes into that decision on who to bring?
Speaker 3 (15:02):
Yeah, either guy, we could have called up either guys.
Decenzo had been playing so well, you know, with a
twelve like a twelve hundred ops and triple A, and
so we decided on him. I think Wickham is right
right there. He's just a phone call away. He's right
behind him. He may be the next position player that
we bring up, depending on what happens here at the
(15:23):
big league level. But either guy is worthy of being
called up. It's just the Cenzo is so hot, you know,
with a twelve hundred ops and swinging the bat well,
and like I said, we needed a little bit of
a spark. Hopefully, you know, today he gets in there
and gets his first hit. But you know, Wickham, you
know he's got he's got a chance to be pretty
(15:44):
good in this organization. So he's been he's done well
in the minor leagues. I think he's you know, he's
just a phone call away, and he could be here
you know soon as well.
Speaker 2 (15:55):
Sounds good, Dana, good stuff, Good luck today in this
afternoon game at another start for Coco, and we appreciate it,
and hopefully we'll have some great injury news in a
winning streak when we talk to you next Wednesday.
Speaker 1 (16:05):
We appreciate the time.
Speaker 3 (16:07):
All right, Hopefully we win today and Seattle loses and
we'll be back in first place.
Speaker 2 (16:12):
Let's go Astros, which is a phenomenal way to be
considering all you've been through. Great stuff, and we'll talk
to you next week. That's Dana Brown, Astros GM. We'll
come back and wrap it up and discuss we've got
some young players. It looks like there's some good stuff
on the injury front, and we'll finish little Kyle Tucker
Talk Sports Talk seven ninety
And we're back for the Sean Salisbury Show continued. Yeah,
we sure do.
Speaker 2 (00:06):
And it's great to have Mom on for his Wednesday visit,
his weekly visit. We'll get to the trade he made
last week to bring Kakuchi in and that very first start,
and we'll see him again, Ay Sap. As a matter
of fact, Dana, welcome in. It's great to have you,
astros GM and always grateful for our Wednesdays. Let's start
just with your emotion and watching which was a big
(00:27):
win yesterday. They all are, especially at this time, but
watching your your ace pitch last night, and we've seen
a Hunter Brown look like an ace.
Speaker 1 (00:35):
We've seen Renelle Blunkle look like an ace.
Speaker 2 (00:37):
Kokuchi looked like one in his first start. But Fromber's
been that guy three straight years. He's been run out there.
First emotion, going through that game, heading into the ninth
inning last night.
Speaker 3 (00:47):
Dana, Yeah, absolutely, Fromber is the definition of a workhorse.
I mean he he really showed up for us last night,
you know, very emotional ninth inning, you know, right there
on the verge of a no hitter. You know, I
I I actually thought he was gonna pull it off.
(01:08):
Then I got a little nervous when he walked the
guy and then all of a sudden the home run.
But still all in all, it was an outstanding outing
for him. You know, he was locked in from first pitch.
Speaker 1 (01:21):
Dana, have you seen just in your this year? Second
year here?
Speaker 2 (01:25):
He've been in baseball for thirty plus years, second year
here watching from But you know what a says, look
like you had him in Atlanta.
Speaker 1 (01:30):
You've seen him throughout your career.
Speaker 2 (01:33):
Does the you have you been impressed in the last
couple of years of his mental and emotional growth or
is it not where.
Speaker 1 (01:40):
It needs to be yet for you?
Speaker 2 (01:41):
Because he could have gone sideways yesterday but locked right in.
Joe sent out the pitching coach and he locked back in.
Where have you seen growth there when it comes to
the mental and emotional side, because the stuff's a no brainer.
Speaker 3 (01:53):
Yeah. I think all all frontline starters are very very competitive.
I think it's more competitive than competitiveness the emotion. I mean,
I think guys like that get they get locked in, man,
and once they get locked in, you know they're in
a fight. That's how they see it, and that's how
he That's how he views it. He's a competitor. I
(02:15):
don't think it's really emotion as much as competitiveness. And
so he loves to compete, and you know, sometimes you
know he has to just turn the dial down a
little bit, but for the most part, he's he's a
fierce competitor and he's the guy you want to hand
the ball to, regardless of what game it is. And
you know, we we love frompers So he's been outstanding
(02:39):
for us.
Speaker 2 (02:40):
And mental toughness, I mean, you know, fans will wonder, well, gosh,
thank he gets a little and they're the competitiveness what
you're talking about the line between competitive and the slope
and mental toughness. You trust his mental toughness in any
big game you're going to play. Is that where you
are with him and his future right now?
Speaker 3 (02:56):
Dana, Yeah, absolutely. You know that mental toughness is what
you see in a ace pitchers. You know, if you're
an ace, you have that mental toughness. You know, it's
it's it's one of those things where you're so competitive
that you get locked in and this guy, he gets
(03:17):
locked in and I love handing him the ball and
he pitches big games for us time and time again.
When we need to win. You know, a team was
struggling a little bit there for a few days, and
hand the ball to fromber and he goes out and
he gives up one hit, and you know in eight
and two thirds and so he's a lockdown pitcher. He's
(03:38):
the guy that you want to hand the ball to
for sure.
Speaker 2 (03:41):
Dana Brown asked us GM for his weekly visit here
on Sports Talk seven ninety Sean Salisbury Show. Dana, before
you came on, we were just kind of discussing and Marvel.
I'm not telling you anything you don't know, but I'm
just trying to get your feel for the stay with
all the injuries Javier and Arkeaty and Garcia and mccullors
and France and Berlander, and here we are from We're
almost thos. A no hitter. Renelle Blanco's been sensational for
(04:02):
the most part all year long, consistent, Hunter Brown looks
like a front line ace. And now Kokuchi if this
is who he is, And you said you'll get a
lot of swing and miss, and I'll be damned double
digit strikeouts in his opener, Think about where you are
and you still got four guys and look at Arragett
he's twelve strikeouts after all this nine deep. It's got
(04:23):
to be impressive to you to see the way these
guys have come up and stepped up big in lieu
of all the nonsense with injuries.
Speaker 3 (04:31):
Yeah, you know, I've said it from day one when
I got here, I watched these guys. You know, A
big tribute those to our you know, our pitching staff
and what they do with pitchers. You know, these guys
are probably you know, some of the best in the business,
and I think they do an outstanding job of getting
guys ready and getting mentally prepared and just having the
(04:52):
depth that we have. You know, it's been unbelievable when
you have six starters on the il and your starting
rotation is really starting to firm up and pitch well.
And you know, we see we should see Verlander back
here soon, and that'll be you know, we could probably
go to about six man rotation at that time and
this dog days of August and really get through this thing.
(05:15):
And right now we're half game back and we got
our starters all lined up, and so you know, this
is a tribute to this organization and how well they've
done with pitching. And I Honestly, it's fun to be
a part of it. It's pitching. It's pitching. Pitching. Pitching
is what you need to win. And it's no uh,
you know, it's no mistake that we've gone to seven straights. Yes,
(05:35):
it's uh, with the pitching that we've had and developed
here in this organization.
Speaker 2 (05:40):
Dana, what we saw on the trade you pulled off
and you told us last week this guy's got really
good stuff. It'll even be better here. You you went
through a litany of things of why this was a
good trade and why you were better with Kakuchi. Well,
double digit strikeouts was impressive. Is that who you expect
(06:01):
him to be regularly? Is that the guy when you
made the trade that you expected.
Speaker 3 (06:07):
Yeah, I mean, I know we knew that this is
a strikeout picture. You know, he can get it done.
The one thing, the first inning there got off to
a little bit of a slow start. We just he
had to mix its pitches. You know, he came out,
you know, you can't just overpower major league hitters with
a fastball, so you have to really uh, you know,
(06:29):
adding some track. And as soon as he started to
add and adding subtract, you know, the fastball started to
play up and he started to get the swing and
miss at he's table of getting and I think that,
you know, we needed to add a starter like that,
and and hopefully he can continue this because down the
stretch we're gonna need him. And right now we're rolling
(06:50):
out five starters in the movie that that can win games.
And that's how you get on these winning streaks. And
then you add JV to the mix. When he comes back,
it's got a chance to be spec so and so hopefully,
you know, we can get on this roll and the
offense can pick up because right now we're really pitching.
Speaker 2 (07:06):
Well, hey, Dana, what was the you know, a guy
who Cakuchi in Toronto's doing this thing all of a
sudden comes here and decides first start to mix in
what more change up off speed stuff, and you mentioned
which makes the fastball even better.
Speaker 1 (07:20):
What was the deciding voice? Why they in.
Speaker 2 (07:23):
Truth it was like an overnight change. Why did he
decide to switch and use more stuff? What was a
convincing factor for him?
Speaker 3 (07:31):
Yeah, I think what we do is we do a
lot of preparation before the game, and you know our
advanced reports, we have advanced guys and you know, we
go through this and then you know, you take a
veteran catcher like Kartini who caught him, you know, he
knows how important it is to mix it in and honestly,
it was just the perfect storm. And hopefully we can
(07:53):
continue that with his start today. You know, you use
that fastball, you know, you've got a good fast all,
but you can't overpower these guys. You've got to mix
in the fighter. You've got to mix in the change up.
And I think that was part of you know, the
advanced report, and uh, you know, we got him to
buy in and he had a good adding. Hopefully we
get that today as well.
Speaker 1 (08:13):
Boy did he?
Speaker 2 (08:14):
Boy did he ever get that second start today in
the day game against the Rangers. All right, let's roll
through a few quick injury reports your j v UH
minor leagues get going. When do you expect him If
it goes as expected, how how long before.
Speaker 1 (08:27):
We can have him on the major league ross.
Speaker 3 (08:30):
Yeah, so he's got to start this weekend, Uh, probably
in sugar Land Friday or Saturday. So that's you know,
going to be tell tale. So depending on how that goes,
you know, we'll you know, we'll be able to talk
more about it next Wednesday. But depending on how that goes,
you know, we could see him back here, uh soon.
We're hoping he goes through and carves those guys up
and maybe get another start, you know, in the minor leagues,
(08:52):
and then he should be ready.
Speaker 1 (08:54):
Good.
Speaker 3 (08:55):
That's there's a good chance he'll be ready sooner rather
than later. So you know, he's made great progress over
over the last three weeks, so we're looking forward to
him coming back.
Speaker 1 (09:06):
Well, won't that be a nice shot of red bull?
All right?
Speaker 2 (09:09):
Garcia a little setback. How severe is the setback? And
how much longer are we waiting before he gets back out?
Speaker 3 (09:18):
Yeah, we don't have a timeline on Garcia yet. You know,
I was talking yesterday and I said, you know, one
of the things we have to remember is when you
have a guy that's you know, had Tommy John like this,
and we have to really think about his future. So
when he has a little discomfort, we have to pay
attention to it. He said he'd felt a lot better
the other day, which is a good thing. We're going
(09:41):
to really need Garcia going forward, and so we don't
want to push him too hard, you know, we tried
to push him a little bit, but we don't want
to push him too hard because what happens is you
don't want to, you know, miss him next year. Next
year is going to be a big year for us too,
with these starters. So I think that, you know, we
don't have a time we don't have a timeline right now,
(10:03):
but I think for the most part, we'll have more
you know, for you guys next week, uh seven to
ten days. But you know, make no mistake, we're gonna
we're gonna need him going forward in the future, and
we don't want to push him too hard. We really
feel good about our six starters right now, and so
we'll we'll stay locked in on his progress.
Speaker 2 (10:24):
So is GM Dana Brown for a couple more minutes
here on Sports Talk seven ninety and in the most
severe bone bruise maybe we've seen in a long time.
Speaker 1 (10:31):
We're into two months now.
Speaker 2 (10:33):
I had asked you probably three weeks ago if if Tucker,
if there's a chance we wouldn't see him till September,
and you said that it would really disappoint you if
the injury lasted that long. Are we in danger of
not seeing him in scept until September.
Speaker 3 (10:48):
I think I think we should get him back sometime
this month. You know, he had an outstanding day yesterday
with some baseball activity, and so, uh, you know, he's
he's pretty much you know, paying free. You know, so
he's making great progress. You know, we got good reports
from you know, yesterday, I saw some video. He's back
(11:09):
in Houston. You know, we're up here in Arlington, but
he's back in Houston, and he's he's he really had
some real good activity yesterday and and so that that's
very good progress. And so I've said it before. I
think when you go through this type of injury and
it starts to feel good, things move a lot quicker
(11:29):
than you you would expect. I know it's been a
long time, but this is the type of injury that
once it starts to feel really good and you can
rotate and turn and pivot and do all those things,
I think you come pretty quick. It's just at that point,
it's just a matter of getting some running in and
getting back to shape and getting you know, h three
(11:50):
or four minor league games in and then hopefully we
get them back to the big leagues. It would be
great to get them back to the big leagues. Sometimes
it's a month. I think there's a chance that that
can happen. Uh, you know, the disappointment if it happens
in September. It's just that we you know, we need
him so bad. You know we're going to a stretch
right now in our offense that you know, we we
(12:11):
were playing well without him, but you knew there was
just a matter of time that you need Tucker back
in that lineup. And you see it the other day
when they walked down the redge twice. I mean usually
if you got Tucker hitting right behind him, you know,
it's like pick your poison. So and that's the tough
part when he's out. We we fought. We we've been
feeling it more over the last week than ever before.
Speaker 2 (12:35):
And he's pain free though right now he's Yesterday was
a pain free day, he said, correct.
Speaker 3 (12:40):
Yeah, he felt really good. It was outstanding. So, uh,
you know the big tell Teal is today, after you
have a good workout, you know, how does it feel
the next day, and so you know we'll know more,
you know, by midday today. But he had a great
day yesterday. It was really exciting.
Speaker 1 (12:57):
So good that's good news.
Speaker 2 (12:58):
Good news for everybody, and I know need that left
handed bat in the line of data with that you mentioned,
even though they win, I think left ten runners on,
is it a major concern?
Speaker 1 (13:09):
You know? Is it minimal concern?
Speaker 2 (13:11):
Kind of a concern, major concern about the inconsistency to
push runs across and score runs the last two or
three weeks and leaving runners on, which has been kind
of a problem all year. Do you trust you can
come out of this or is this just who you
are in twenty twenty four?
Speaker 3 (13:26):
No, I think you know, we had that stretch where
we were you know, average dominates runs per game, right,
you know, And so I don't think this is one
of those things where it's going to be like that
all year. You know, we've been good. That offense has
been really good. It's just been a little up and
down at times. And I think right now we're really
(13:46):
missing Tucker. And you know, when you have a batman,
I mean, that's one of your best bats right there,
and the fact that it's left handed it's even more special.
But you know, I think the offense is kind of
cold right now, but I think we'll definitely heat up.
You know, it's just a matter of bearing down and
seeing some seeing more pitches. What happens is these guys
(14:07):
they start to press a little bit, you know, and
and when you start to press, you start to chase pitches.
I think we have to see a few more pitches
get locked down into our zone. And uh, you know,
we we brought up the Senzo because we felt like,
you know, he was having a really good year and
trip Awa and you know, we could use a nice
(14:28):
little spark. And so I think the bats. I think
the bats are going to be fine.
Speaker 2 (14:33):
Yeah, Tucker back will help is from I mean, uh,
or dance a few more pitches, which would be nice
to get this thing heat up. The home run yesterday
was good to see. And then lastly, you mentioned de Senzo,
you a guy like Whitcomb. What goes into the decision
to choose one guy over another, Dana? I mean, when
when you guys decided to bring some of it because
(14:54):
you're relying on some young players on the mound and
in the field to help you guys through this. So
what goes into that decision on who to bring?
Speaker 3 (15:02):
Yeah, either guy, we could have called up either guys.
Decenzo had been playing so well, you know, with a
twelve like a twelve hundred ops and triple A, and
so we decided on him. I think Wickham is right
right there. He's just a phone call away. He's right
behind him. He may be the next position player that
we bring up, depending on what happens here at the
(15:23):
big league level. But either guy is worthy of being
called up. It's just the Cenzo is so hot, you know,
with a twelve hundred ops and swinging the bat well,
and like I said, we needed a little bit of
a spark. Hopefully, you know, today he gets in there
and gets his first hit. But you know, Wickham, you
know he's got he's got a chance to be pretty
(15:44):
good in this organization. So he's been he's done well
in the minor leagues. I think he's you know, he's
just a phone call away, and he could be here
you know soon as well.
Speaker 2 (15:55):
Sounds good, Dana, good stuff, Good luck today in this
afternoon game at another start for Coco, and we appreciate it,
and hopefully we'll have some great injury news in a
winning streak when we talk to you next Wednesday.
Speaker 1 (16:05):
We appreciate the time.
Speaker 3 (16:07):
All right, Hopefully we win today and Seattle loses and
we'll be back in first place.
Speaker 2 (16:12):
Let's go Astros, which is a phenomenal way to be
considering all you've been through. Great stuff, and we'll talk
to you next week. That's Dana Brown, Astros GM. We'll
come back and wrap it up and discuss we've got
some young players. It looks like there's some good stuff
on the injury front, and we'll finish little Kyle Tucker
Talk Sports Talk seven ninety
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