Houston Astros catcher Brian McCann finally got to a point that
something had to be done to try to fix his troublesome right knee.
McCann had arthroscopic surgery Tuesday after going on the disabled list for the second time this season Youth Justin Reid Jersey , and the third time in less than a year, because of knee discomfort.
Astros
general manager Jeff Luhnow told MLB.com and the Houston Chronicle
during a 5-3 win at Texas that the team was optimistic that the surgery
would resolve the issue that kept recurring. While not specific about
the procedure or a timetable, the GM said he’d expect McCann back in
September to get ready for October.
Manager A.J. Hinch
said before the Astros’ 5-3 win at Texas that he and McCann had a long
conversation about the knee problems when the team played in Tampa last
weekend.
”It’s just continually the same issue over and
over with his right knee,” Hinch said. ”One of the options is surgery,
and he went back to Houston to take care of it.”
Catcher Tim Federowicz, who made two starts earlier this season when McCann was on the DL, was promoted from Triple-A Fresno.
Max
Stassi was the Astros’ starting catcher Tuesday night against the
Rangers. Hinch said Stassi would get the bulk of the catching during
McCann’s absence.
But Stassi never got behind the plate
against the Rangers. He was hit by a pitch on his right (throwing) wrist
while batting in the first inning. He stayed in the game to run, but
Federowicz went to catch when the Astros took the field.
X-rays were negative, but Stassi has a bruised wrist and was considered day to day.
Shortstop Carlos Correa, who has been out since June 26 because of lower back soreness T.J. Green Jersey ,
also was back in Houston. He is eligible to come off the DL as early as
Friday, though Hinch wasn’t sure if Correa would be ready to play then.
”He’s
been reporting to Minute Maid (Park) every day and working with our
people there,” Hinch said. ”The good news is that everything has been a
step forward. The uncertainty is still we haven’t done any baseball
activities yet, so we don’t know how that’s going to impact his timeline
until we get home.”
McCann missed nine games during his
first DL stint this season before being activated June 8, the last time
Houston played at the Rangers.
He was also on the DL for
11 days last August because of right knee soreness before the Astros
went on to win their first World Series title. McCann played in all
seven World Series games.
His latest DL move was retroactive to Monday, a day off for Houston.
McCann
has hit .206 with five homers and 17 RBIs in 50 games this season. He
was in a 1-for-26 slump before going on the DL for the first time this
season on May 29. He hit .171 (7-of-41) with one homer and three RBIs in
his 13 games in June after returning from the DL.
Stassi
has hit .255 with seven homers and 22 RBIs in 49 games for the Astros.
Federowicz hit .328 with six homers and 22 RBIs in 38 games at Fresno.
”I
have a lot of confidence in Stassi and Fed, both with major league
time,” Hinch said. ”They’re comfortable, they know our pitchers, they
know our program Ryan Miller Jersey , our preparation, all things that make me feel really good about going into each particular game.”
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When
Paul Blackburn needed 47 pitches to make it through the first two
innings, it didn’t seem he would last long for the Oakland Athletics.
Then Blackburn found his groove and led the streaking A’s to another win.
Blackburn
pitched shutout ball into the seventh inning and Oakland won its fifth
straight game, beating the Cleveland Indians 3-1 on Friday night.
”It
was just finding a tempo and rhythm,” Blackburn said. ”It’s something
I’ve struggled with the first couple of innings. Once I get over that
hump in the second inning, I feel like everything is more put together.”
Marcus
Semien and Khris Davis drove in runs against Trevor Bauer (7-6) as the
A’s followed up a four-game sweep at Detroit with a win in the opener of
a five-game homestand.
Jed Lowrie provided insurance with
a solo homer in the eighth off Zach McAllister to move Oakland a
season-high seven games over .500.
”Games like that, it
feels like a 10-run homer,” manager Bob Melvin said. ”The guys coming to
the plate get your attention in the last inning. It was paramount. It
gives you a little bit of wiggle room.”
Blake Treinen
allowed two baserunners in the ninth before earning his 21st save in 23
chances. He has converted 18 straight save opportunities.
Blackburn
(2-2) had a 12.70 ERA his past three starts and struggled early against
Cleveland, with four of the first seven batters reaching base safely.
But a caught stealing and a double play helped him make it through the
first two innings unscathed and he settled down from there.
He
retired 14 of the final 15 batters he faced, allowing only a two-out
walk to Yonder Alonso in the fourth before leaving after retiring Edwin
Encarnacion to open the seventh. Blackburn allowed three hits and struck
out five.
Francisco Lindor hit an RBI double off Yusmeiro Petit in the eighth inning for Cleveland.
The A’s Authentic Sam Darnold Jersey ,
who score nearly two fewer runs per game at home than on the road,
managed to get single runs against Bauer in the second and sixth
innings. Matt Olson doubled in the second and scored on Semien’s two-out
hit.
Oakland added an insurance run in the sixth when Matt Joyce singled and scored on Davis’ double.
”He
seemed to be very patient so I wanted to make a point of getting ahead
in that count,” Bauer said. ”He hit a bad pitch. He’s a good hitter.
That’s what you’re supposed to do with hanging breaking balls, hit
them.”
Bauer allowed two runs and six hits in 6 2/3
innings, striking out eight. His 148 strikeouts are the most for a
Cleveland pitcher before the end of June since Sam McDowell had 151 in
1970.
TRAINER’S ROOM
Indians: Manager Terry
Francona said the team will have a decision soon on the status of
injured starter Danny Salazar, who has been on the DL all season with a
right shoulder injury. Francona said the team is ”exploring some things”
and said he would have more information in the next couple of days.
Athletics:
3B Matt Chapman (hand) took grounders and hit off a tee. He will take
BP on Sunday and could be back as early as next week. … RHP Andrew
Triggs (right arm nerve irritation) had his rehab shut down because he
felt tingling in fingers. He will get a second opinion next week. … RHP
Trevor Cahill (right Achilles) threw a 30-pitch bullpen session and will
either have a lengthier bullpen session or simulation game next in his
rehab.
UP NEXT
Edwin Jackson (0-0) makes his
second start for Oakland after allowing one run in six innings of a
no-decision in his debut against Detroit. His nine-game winning streak
against Cleveland is the longest since Storm Davis also won nine
straight vs. the Indians from 1986-92. Adam Plutko (4-1) starts for
Cleveland.
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