Strom: 'Pen struggles a 'learning process'

HOUSTON – Astros pitching coach Brent Strom figured there would be some growing pains with his inexperienced bullpen this year, but the struggles of his young arms have been admittedly difficult. Injuries and underperformance have Houston’s relievers ranked 11th in the American League with a 4.22 ERA entering Saturday, including a 5.16 ERA in the previous seven games (2-5).

“I’m not going to sugarcoat it,” Strom said. “It’s been a difficult thing that’s been going on with our bullpen. I hope it’s a short-term thing.”

The Astros’ bullpen hasn’t performed up to expectations for several reasons. They signed veteran Pedro Báez to a two-year deal, but he’s been injured all season. Veteran Joe Smith returned after missing last year but has been ineffective. The youngsters who pitched so well in empty stadiums last year -- Enoli Paredes, Andre Scrubb and Blake Taylor -- have all been injured, and Paredes and Scrubb have struggled to throw strikes when healthy. Paredes was optioned to Triple-A Sugar Land on Saturday.

“Last year, they were able, with the 60-game schedule, to pitch in kind of a bubble, and we didn’t have what we experienced as of late,” Strom said. “The other day in Texas, that’s the first time Paredes has ever pitched in front of 40,000 people or whatever. I know going to the mound and talking to them. ... I’ll put my hand on their heart rate to see what it feels like, and it was beating like a hummingbird. So these guys they have to learn how to handle this. It’s just a learning process for them. That was my biggest fear.”

Strom said teams also now have more information on some of the arms who made their debut last year. Houston had 10 pitchers make their Major League debuts last year, including Paredes, Scrubb and Taylor. He’s hoping, when healthy, they can find a little bit more consistency and confidence.

“Obviously, these guys are a little different than the [Chris] Devenski All-Star, the [Will] Harris All-Star, [Brad] Peacock group we had, as well as having [Ryan] Pressly and [Roberto] Osuna,” Strom said, referring to the veteran arms they had in 2019. “That’s a whole different group. We just have to work with the group we have and do the best we can.”

Sugar Land affiliate paying off for Astros

The Astros moved their Triple-A affiliate to Sugar Land -- a suburb of Houston -- prior to this season, with the hopes of benefitting from having their top Minor League players just 22 miles away from Minute Maid Park for much of the season. Considering the number of injuries the Astros have had to deal with in the first two months, it’s paid off.

The latest to make the move is catcher Garrett Stubbs, who was called up Friday after Jason Castro went on the IL. Stubbs made the short drive to Minute Maid Park just prior to game time on Friday and was able to be in uniform. He started Saturday’s game against the Padres.

“It’s a lot better to be able to pop right over, and I’m sure the front office likes it, too,” said Stubbs, who’s played with the Astros’ Triple-A affiliates in Fresno and Round Rock before this year. “It’s good to be able, on the day off, just drive over here and have no break time and get ready.”

If any player can appreciate the short shuffle between Triple-A and the big leagues, it’s Stubbs, who has made the trip up and down eight times since 2018. Stubbs has also spent a lot of time in alternate sites and the taxi squad, which has impacted his development.

“There’s a lot of players over the last year that haven’t really been able to develop the way they want to,” he said. “Even last year being on the team, with the 60-game season, it’s just tough to get playing time. I’ve been doing the best I can off the field to stay ready. Tonight’s going to be one of those nights where all the stuff off the field, you get to implement it in a game.”