Joe Espada On Ronel Blanco Pitching Out Of Astros Bullpen: 'That's A Strong Possibility'

The Matt Thomas Show

Houston Astros manager Joe Espada joins The Matt Thomas Show ahead of the second of a three-game road series against the Cincinnati Reds. Justin Verlander started in Monday's 5-3 loss, which snapped the Astros' five-game winning streak. "Physically, he looks fine," Espada said. However, Verlander is still working to get back to full strength after starting the season on the injured list with right shoulder inflammation and then missing more than two months with neck discomfort. The Astros are currently utilizing a six-man rotation, but young pitchers, such as Spencer Arrighetti and Ronel Blanco, are surpassing their previous inning thresholds, creating a "very delicate balance" between resting guys and wanting to hold the lead in the AL West. "We played well despite some injuries...still got another three weeks to go," so "we are trying to take it one series at a time." With the Astros looking to return to a five-man rotation, Blanco will most likely move to the bullpen. Blanco's next start would come Sunday against the Arizona Diamondbacks, but he could be moved before then. "That's a strong possibility." Kyle Tucker revealed he sustained a small fracture after fouling a ball off his right shin on June 3. Tucker has been off the field for three months, but a return during the Diamondbacks series "is very realistic." Alex Bregman is also working through an injury. He is "day-to-day" and "we'll see how he feels." Espada says they would like to rest Bregman, "but we are not in the postseason yet."