August 23, 2024 • 6 mins
MLB.com/Astros.com's Brian McTaggart joins The A-Team for his weekly visit on Astros On-Deck, Presented by Xfinity. He talks about Yordan Alvarez being a late scratch from the lineup, with neck stiffness. He gives a recent update on when Kyle Tucker could possibly return from his shin injury. Plus, he talks about Hector Neris and Kaleb Ort rejoining the team.
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Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
XAC with you getting ready for game two of this
four game set between the Astros and the Baltimore Orioles
at Camden Yards. That's where we find Brian McTaggart standing
by of MLB dot Com, joins us for his weekly
visit on the on Deck show and tags. You've had
a few lineups to go over over the last couple
of hours or so.
Speaker 2 (00:21):
Yeah, Astro's making a late lineup change here in about
ten minutes ago, Jordaan Albarez scratch with next stiffness, So
Alex Bregman, who was going to be a third to night,
is now dhing Shae Whitcomb at third base instead. So yeah,
another another next stiffness issue with another player.
Speaker 3 (00:39):
So I haven't had a chance to talk to anybody.
Speaker 2 (00:41):
Or Alvarez to see how serious it is, but we'll
have to monitor that as we go forward.
Speaker 4 (00:45):
Shay Wickham slides into the sixth spot, as you mentioned,
he'll play third base tonight. You'd mentioned something early in
the afternoon via your x feed about the expectation that
they'll have a couple of new arms joining them shortly.
Speaker 2 (01:01):
Yeah, both Joe Spotta and Dana Brown saying that pector
Nerris and Caylo Bort will join the team tomorrow.
Speaker 3 (01:08):
They're traveling today.
Speaker 2 (01:09):
Of course, Ort was a way for paternity, had his
wife give birth to a son, and then Nerris they
signed after he was dumped so by the Cup.
Speaker 3 (01:19):
So he'll be here tomorrow as well.
Speaker 2 (01:20):
So they're gonna have to make another move in that
that bullpen, which right now only has seven arms in there,
Ort will be eight, and then they'll have to get
rid of somebody in the bullpen to activate Nerris. But
he should be activated in the Astros bullpen tomorrow.
Speaker 1 (01:34):
It's no pressure on Hunter Brown to go lengthy tonight.
It wouldn't hurt them at all, especially in the case
of the fact that they're you know, in the midst
of a six man rotation as well. But he's been
so good since his turnaround, and you say this about last.
Speaker 3 (01:49):
Night starter as well.
Speaker 1 (01:51):
But I'm really looking forward to seeing the latest installment
of Hunter Brown against this particular lineup.
Speaker 2 (01:58):
Yeah, I mean, this is one of the best line up,
if not the best lineup in baseball. I mean, starting
at the top with you know, Colton Chowser, who's probably
a Rookie of the Year candidate, and you get into
the meat of it with Rushman, Henderson, san Ten there,
it just really doesn't let up until you get down
at the bottom of the order where you have Jackson Holliday,
when you know, one of the top prospects in baseball.
Speaker 3 (02:17):
So, yeah, another big challenge for him, a lot of lefties.
Speaker 2 (02:20):
In the lineup, but he's really been on a roll
here for like two plus months now, and he's pitching
with so much confidence.
Speaker 3 (02:27):
He's pitching like an ace and handling himself like an ace.
Speaker 4 (02:29):
Before we get to the obvious, an inevitable question about
Kyle Tucker, the askers have said, we're going to a
six man rotation. Do you think that is a definitive plan,
Is it even a multi week or month long plan,
or is it possible they will maybe even pivot from
it and instead decide to skip the start for someone
here or there.
Speaker 2 (02:50):
Yeah, we actually just asked Dana Brown that question about
fifteen minutes ago, and he said, they really haven't thought
beyond the eighteen consecutive game window that they're playing now.
So maybe when they get that first day off, and
now you're talking about guys going a full week without pitching,
maybe they'll make the change at that point, but Dana
saying today that they really haven't thought that far ahead.
Speaker 3 (03:09):
If they have, they're not not ready to say what
they plan to do.
Speaker 4 (03:12):
I'll preface my next question since you noted you just
spoke with Dana Brown. Today is August twenty third. There
are eight days left in the month. The thirty first
is next Saturday. Dana gave an update on when he
expects to see Kyle Tucker playing for the Astros.
Speaker 2 (03:26):
He did, he said, first week of September. So, like
you said, that's eight days away. I mean, you know,
maybe it's you know, September sixth, you know, it's you know,
certainly not a timeline on the oldest feet to the
fire or too, but I think it's an indication, I
guess maybe that that Tucker is making, you know, some
pretty good advancements with his rehab.
Speaker 3 (03:46):
He is not here on the road with.
Speaker 2 (03:48):
The team, so he's working out back at minim Mad
so you know, hard to say exactly what's going on
without laying eyes on him. But Dana did seem pretty
encouraged today when we asked him about him. And yeah,
I mean that's like you said, that's eight nine, ten,
days away. That's a pretty aggressive window to get him back,
so but I think they just have to start pushing
(04:08):
it with him, and he's going to probably have to
play through some pain because they only have thirty five
games left, so they got to figure out a way
to get him back on the field.
Speaker 1 (04:15):
That's been a million dollar question for so long, and
now that there's at least somewhat a little bit of
a clarification, I'll give you the next new hardest question.
When do we see Alex Bregman at first base for real?
Speaker 2 (04:28):
I still think it could come any day here chatted
with Bregman as well about fifteen minutes ago.
Speaker 3 (04:33):
All this stuff's hot off the press. Haven't had a
chance to get it on the website yet. What do
you say? What do you say? What do you say?
Speaker 2 (04:39):
He said that he says he anticipates anticipates playing more
third than anywhere else because his elbow feels so good.
Speaker 3 (04:48):
He threw it one hundred and twenty feet yesterday, which
I think.
Speaker 2 (04:50):
Was after the game came in and Joe Spot his
office says, seems good to go at third base, and
of course he was lined up at third base. But
I do think he is going to play some first
He was over there today taking grounders.
Speaker 3 (05:00):
Working with ol Mar Lopez.
Speaker 2 (05:02):
He had Victor Karattini's glove on, so he said the
biggest challenge about first base is that you can't go
after every ball. At third base, you're taught to go
get every ball, but he says, at first there are
times when you got to get to the bag and
be ready for someone else to make a play. So
he said that's the toughest thing so far. But he
said the elbow's feeling really good. Joe Sponda interestingly said
that every day he's got two lineups, one with him
(05:24):
at d H and one with him in the field,
and he just has to check with Bregman in the
morning and see how he's feeling before he decides which
lineup he's gonna put out there.
Speaker 4 (05:32):
Amazing how many different humongous parts of this team and
offense now specifically are question marks on a daily basis.
Jordan Alvarez with next stiffness, Kyle Tucker not yet returning
from the shin, and Alex Bregman with only one good
elbow and it's not his throwing elbow.
Speaker 3 (05:47):
But Ryan, how are your elbow and neck and leg
doing pretty good.
Speaker 2 (05:53):
I will gladly take a game check and go out
there and embarrass myself and any position they want me to.
Speaker 4 (06:00):
Well. We certainly appreciate you taking a few minutes with
our on deck audience here as you do each and
every Friday, and there's plenty to continue to report on
and follow with this team over the final thirty five games.
A five and a half game lead in the division
with thirty five games to go, A pleasant place to
be and maybe unexpected with the way the season began.
Speaker 3 (06:17):
We always appreciate the time. Brian, all right, thanks guys,
it's absolutely
XAC with you getting ready for game two of this
four game set between the Astros and the Baltimore Orioles
at Camden Yards. That's where we find Brian McTaggart standing
by of MLB dot Com, joins us for his weekly
visit on the on Deck show and tags. You've had
a few lineups to go over over the last couple
of hours or so.
Speaker 2 (00:21):
Yeah, Astro's making a late lineup change here in about
ten minutes ago, Jordaan Albarez scratch with next stiffness, So
Alex Bregman, who was going to be a third to night,
is now dhing Shae Whitcomb at third base instead. So yeah,
another another next stiffness issue with another player.
Speaker 3 (00:39):
So I haven't had a chance to talk to anybody.
Speaker 2 (00:41):
Or Alvarez to see how serious it is, but we'll
have to monitor that as we go forward.
Speaker 4 (00:45):
Shay Wickham slides into the sixth spot, as you mentioned,
he'll play third base tonight. You'd mentioned something early in
the afternoon via your x feed about the expectation that
they'll have a couple of new arms joining them shortly.
Speaker 2 (01:01):
Yeah, both Joe Spotta and Dana Brown saying that pector
Nerris and Caylo Bort will join the team tomorrow.
Speaker 3 (01:08):
They're traveling today.
Speaker 2 (01:09):
Of course, Ort was a way for paternity, had his
wife give birth to a son, and then Nerris they
signed after he was dumped so by the Cup.
Speaker 3 (01:19):
So he'll be here tomorrow as well.
Speaker 2 (01:20):
So they're gonna have to make another move in that
that bullpen, which right now only has seven arms in there,
Ort will be eight, and then they'll have to get
rid of somebody in the bullpen to activate Nerris. But
he should be activated in the Astros bullpen tomorrow.
Speaker 1 (01:34):
It's no pressure on Hunter Brown to go lengthy tonight.
It wouldn't hurt them at all, especially in the case
of the fact that they're you know, in the midst
of a six man rotation as well. But he's been
so good since his turnaround, and you say this about last.
Speaker 3 (01:49):
Night starter as well.
Speaker 1 (01:51):
But I'm really looking forward to seeing the latest installment
of Hunter Brown against this particular lineup.
Speaker 2 (01:58):
Yeah, I mean, this is one of the best line up,
if not the best lineup in baseball. I mean, starting
at the top with you know, Colton Chowser, who's probably
a Rookie of the Year candidate, and you get into
the meat of it with Rushman, Henderson, san Ten there,
it just really doesn't let up until you get down
at the bottom of the order where you have Jackson Holliday,
when you know, one of the top prospects in baseball.
Speaker 3 (02:17):
So, yeah, another big challenge for him, a lot of lefties.
Speaker 2 (02:20):
In the lineup, but he's really been on a roll
here for like two plus months now, and he's pitching
with so much confidence.
Speaker 3 (02:27):
He's pitching like an ace and handling himself like an ace.
Speaker 4 (02:29):
Before we get to the obvious, an inevitable question about
Kyle Tucker, the askers have said, we're going to a
six man rotation. Do you think that is a definitive plan,
Is it even a multi week or month long plan,
or is it possible they will maybe even pivot from
it and instead decide to skip the start for someone
here or there.
Speaker 2 (02:50):
Yeah, we actually just asked Dana Brown that question about
fifteen minutes ago, and he said, they really haven't thought
beyond the eighteen consecutive game window that they're playing now.
So maybe when they get that first day off, and
now you're talking about guys going a full week without pitching,
maybe they'll make the change at that point, but Dana
saying today that they really haven't thought that far ahead.
Speaker 3 (03:09):
If they have, they're not not ready to say what
they plan to do.
Speaker 4 (03:12):
I'll preface my next question since you noted you just
spoke with Dana Brown. Today is August twenty third. There
are eight days left in the month. The thirty first
is next Saturday. Dana gave an update on when he
expects to see Kyle Tucker playing for the Astros.
Speaker 2 (03:26):
He did, he said, first week of September. So, like
you said, that's eight days away. I mean, you know,
maybe it's you know, September sixth, you know, it's you know,
certainly not a timeline on the oldest feet to the
fire or too, but I think it's an indication, I
guess maybe that that Tucker is making, you know, some
pretty good advancements with his rehab.
Speaker 3 (03:46):
He is not here on the road with.
Speaker 2 (03:48):
The team, so he's working out back at minim Mad
so you know, hard to say exactly what's going on
without laying eyes on him. But Dana did seem pretty
encouraged today when we asked him about him. And yeah,
I mean that's like you said, that's eight nine, ten,
days away. That's a pretty aggressive window to get him back,
so but I think they just have to start pushing
(04:08):
it with him, and he's going to probably have to
play through some pain because they only have thirty five
games left, so they got to figure out a way
to get him back on the field.
Speaker 1 (04:15):
That's been a million dollar question for so long, and
now that there's at least somewhat a little bit of
a clarification, I'll give you the next new hardest question.
When do we see Alex Bregman at first base for real?
Speaker 2 (04:28):
I still think it could come any day here chatted
with Bregman as well about fifteen minutes ago.
Speaker 3 (04:33):
All this stuff's hot off the press. Haven't had a
chance to get it on the website yet. What do
you say? What do you say? What do you say?
Speaker 2 (04:39):
He said that he says he anticipates anticipates playing more
third than anywhere else because his elbow feels so good.
Speaker 3 (04:48):
He threw it one hundred and twenty feet yesterday, which
I think.
Speaker 2 (04:50):
Was after the game came in and Joe Spot his
office says, seems good to go at third base, and
of course he was lined up at third base. But
I do think he is going to play some first
He was over there today taking grounders.
Speaker 3 (05:00):
Working with ol Mar Lopez.
Speaker 2 (05:02):
He had Victor Karattini's glove on, so he said the
biggest challenge about first base is that you can't go
after every ball. At third base, you're taught to go
get every ball, but he says, at first there are
times when you got to get to the bag and
be ready for someone else to make a play. So
he said that's the toughest thing so far. But he
said the elbow's feeling really good. Joe Sponda interestingly said
that every day he's got two lineups, one with him
(05:24):
at d H and one with him in the field,
and he just has to check with Bregman in the
morning and see how he's feeling before he decides which
lineup he's gonna put out there.
Speaker 4 (05:32):
Amazing how many different humongous parts of this team and
offense now specifically are question marks on a daily basis.
Jordan Alvarez with next stiffness, Kyle Tucker not yet returning
from the shin, and Alex Bregman with only one good
elbow and it's not his throwing elbow.
Speaker 3 (05:47):
But Ryan, how are your elbow and neck and leg
doing pretty good.
Speaker 2 (05:53):
I will gladly take a game check and go out
there and embarrass myself and any position they want me to.
Speaker 4 (06:00):
Well. We certainly appreciate you taking a few minutes with
our on deck audience here as you do each and
every Friday, and there's plenty to continue to report on
and follow with this team over the final thirty five games.
A five and a half game lead in the division
with thirty five games to go, A pleasant place to
be and maybe unexpected with the way the season began.
Speaker 3 (06:17):
We always appreciate the time. Brian, all right, thanks guys,
it's absolutely
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