The Astros’ record is 10-13 going into the second of Monday’s Spring Training games. They were 2-6 for the week, but the situation isn’t as bleak as that sounds.
First, the really bad news. Yet another pitcher is down. Jose Urquidy is out indefinitely with a forearm strain. That means, among potential Astros starters, Justin Verlander, Lance McCullers Jr., Luis Garcia, and now Urquidy will not be pitching when the season starts. This leaves a likely opening-day rotation of Framber Valdez, Cristian Javier, Hunter Brown, Ronel Blanco, and a not fully stretched J.P. France.
Since pitching is the main concern, let’s start today's review with the status of pitchers and their progress.