Notes: Astros short-handed; McCullers throws

HOUSTON -- The Astros were without right-handed pitcher José Urquidy and veteran infielder Aledmys Díaz for their workout Saturday at Minute Maid Park. Astros manager Dusty Baker said Díaz was at the park but was taking it slow after sleeping on his shoulder wrong.

“He was getting some observation on that and he’s been cleared to probably begin practicing in a couple of days,” Baker said

Urquidy, meanwhile, has a “condition that’s preventing him from reporting to the field,” Baker said.

It’s not known when Urquidy or designated hitter Yordan Alvarez, who’s also out of action, will be able to join the team at Summer Camp. Pitcher Josh James, who along with Urquidy is expected to be at the back of the rotation, also has yet to report to camp.

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“We’re still counting on them,” Baker said about the pitchers. “We’ve got time. Those guys were working out. They were getting pretty well stretched out. They’ll be here shortly, hopefully. We’ve got to continue doing what we’re doing, and, hopefully, those guys are working out.”

The health of Alvarez was a key storyline heading into Summer Camp considering he has been hampered by sore left knee. He hit .313 with 27 homers and 78 RBIs in 87 games last year, setting a Major League record for OPS by a rookie (1.067) en route to winning the American League Rookie of the Year Award.

McCullers, Devenski face hitters
Astros right-handers Lance McCullers Jr. and Chris Devenski and lefty Blake Taylor took turns throwing in a simulated game Saturday. McCullers threw three innings, Devenski two and Taylor one.

McCullers, who missed all of 2019 following Tommy John surgery, came to camp healthy and ready to rejoin the rotation and made three Grapefruit League starts before spring camp was shut down because of the COVID-19 pandemic. In the simulated game, he faced Jose Altuve, Carlos Correa and Garrett Stubbs, among others.

“He was pretty sharp,” Baker said. “The other day, he didn’t have the command that he had today. He had a good changeup, he had a good breaking ball and his two-seamer and four-seamer were looking pretty good.”

McCullers will be counted on to take up some of the production of Gerrit Cole, who signed with the Yankees in December. McCullers went 10-6 with a 3.86 ERA in 2018, injuring his elbow on Aug. 4 of that year. He returned to pitch through the injury in relief in the final week of the season and in the postseason.

“I didn’t know he was that big and strong,” Baker said. “Like I told him, ‘Man, you’re a physical specimen.’ He worked big-time during this. I’ve seen a lot of guys who don’t work quite as hard to get back. I don’t really know him that well to be surprised. I’m just hoping he stays healthy and well because he has a void to fill on his team.”

Devenski, meanwhile, faced George Springer, Michael Brantley and Josh Reddick. Devenski said he has been playing catch and throwing a couple of times a week since spring camp was shut down in mid-March. As for a 60-game regular season, Devenski said it will fly by.

“You’ve got to show up every day and bring your A game and give it everything you’ve got,” he said. “By the time you look, in a blink of an eye, it’s going to be over with. We put in the work, and we’re ready to go and we’ve got to give the fans something to watch every day.”

Baker glad players taking virus seriously
Through the first two days of Summer Camp, Baker has been pleased about how his players have been following the health protocols. The Astros have had unknown player and staff members test positive for COVID-19.

Baker said when he arrived in Houston last week from his home in California, many people weren’t wearing masks or staying indoors as much as they are now.

“They have to realize that, ‘Hey man, we’re all in this together, and if we’re going to have a season, have a life, if we’re going to make it to the fall and into the winter, we’re going to have to adhere to whatever rules are out there,’” Baker said.

Astros general manager James Click said Friday the team had “some additional positive tests.” COVID-19 testing was required before the start of camp. Click wasn’t permitted to say whether players or coaches tested positive or how many positive tests there were.