The Astros fielded a veteran shortstop Ryan Pressly on the list of 15 days injured today with lower back. In a corresponding move, the team remembered the right-hander Seth Martinez from Triple-A Sugar Land. Martinez will be available without the bullpen for tonight's game against the White Sox.
Press, 35, has been with the Astros since 2018, posting a 2.84 ERA with 109 saves in that span. He also has a 2.22 ERA with 14 more saves in the postseason. Although he lost his job as Houston's closer during the team's signing Josh Hader this past season, he has become one of the team's most reliable bullpen arms. Through 49 games in 2024, Pressly has a 3.86 ERA, 3.45 SIERA, and 21 holds. He worked almost exclusively in the eighth inning.
Astros relievers rank fifth in the MLB and second in the AL with a 3.61 ERA on the season. Still, losing Pressly at any time will be a severe blow to the weather as the team looks to stay atop the Mariners in the AL West. The Astros just went on a streak of 18 games in 18 days, and after their series against the White Sox wraps up this weekend, they will face the Red Sox, Orioles, Phillies, and Royals.
Thankfully for the Astros, manager Joe Espada doesn't seem too concerned about the severity of Presly's injury. At that point, the captain explained that Pressly first tried to push through the pain. However, given the righty's recent struggles (9.00 ERA in his last four appearances), it makes sense that the team decided to give him time to rest and recover. Espada described the IL stint as “a bit of a breather,” suggesting Pressly won't be gone long (clip of Espada interview via MLB.com's Brian McTaggart).
Martinez, 29, has a 2.92 ERA (but a 4.59 SIERA) in 41 appearances as the Astros' shortstop this season. The right-hander made the Opening Day roster out of spring training, and stuck with the big league club until the trade deadline. He was then optioned to Triple-A as the Astros made room for new signings Yusei Kikuchi again Caleb Ferguson in the active list. Despite his low ERA, none of his 2024 numbers jump off the page. Still, he'll provide Houston with another talented arm while Pressly is on the mend.
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