Odorizzi’s signing came on the heels of Framber Valdez finger fractured at the start of spring training. At the time, there were concerns that the southpaw would need surgery and miss the entire season. Valdez is trying to heal the injury without going under the knife, and it looks like the early returns are positive. Pitching coach Brent Strom called the latest reports on Valdez’s health ” very, very exciting and very goodAlthough the Astros have yet to provide a word on a potential target date for his return.
Houston is also lacking in a few key relievers due to health concerns. Righty Pedro Baez – like Odorizzi, one of Houston’s offseason additions – won’t be ready for major league action for at least the first two weeks of the season. The team are hoping he will be back on the mound in late April. Báez, who the Astros signed with a two-year, $ 12.5 million guarantee, has been on the COVID-19 injured list for three weeks. Right-handed fellow André Scrubb is considering a return in mid-April after leaving a recent Cactus League game with shoulder pain.
Another right-hander, Josh James, is aiming for the end of May or the beginning of June for its own comeback. The 28-year-old man underwent surgery to repair a labral tear in his left hip at the end of October. The procedure was initially accompanied by a six to eight month recovery schedule, so it looks like James is right.
