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Astros to Recall P Jake Buchanan; McCullers Promoted to AAA

By Thomas O'Banion

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After Brett Oberholtzer was placed on the 15-day disabled list with a finger blister, the Astros are looking to recall P Jake Buchanan from AAA Fresno to take his spot, according to Brian McTaggart of MLB.com.

McTaggart states that Buchanan is capable of pitching in relief, but he’s been starting for the Grizzlies. In six appearances, including five starts this season, Buchanan has a 5.08 ERA over  33.2 innings with 15 strikeouts and 5 walks.

In 2014, Buchanan made 17 appearances for Houston, working mostly out of the bullpen, including finishing nine games. He also made two starts last season at the major league level. He finished the season with a 4.58 ERA over 35.1 innings of work with 20 strikeouts.

It’s currently unclear how the Astros plan to use Buchanan, though the team has received not one quality start from the fifth spot in the rotation. Aside from Obie, the fifth starter spot has been a revolving door with Asher Wojciechowski getting three starts, Sam Deduno getting two spot starts, and Brad Peacock with one start.

In seven starts, they’ve accounted for 28 earned runs over 28.2 innings pitched, with 26 strikeouts and 15 walks. It’s been a hard go for the team on those days, though the Astros did get the victory in last night’s game against the reigning World Series champion San Franscisco Giants.

On a positive pitching note, RHP Lance McCullers Jr has been promoted to AAA Fresno, the Astros announced on Twitter.

McCullers has been ridiculous/magnificent/outstanding (insert superlative of choice here) for the AA Corpus Christi Hooks. The 2012 first round draft pick out of Tampa, Florida has posted a 0.62 ERA over 29 innings of work. He’s started four games and made relief appearances in two games, including pitching four scoreless innings this week. He’s struck out 43 batters (averages to nearly 1.5 Ks/inning) and only walked 11.

This marks the second Hooks player to be promoted this week, as super prospect Carlos Correa was moved up on Monday. One other notable thing about the McCullers promotion – he moved up before Mark Appel.

Just a week or so ago, CTH’s Eric Huysman did an interview with Lance McCullers. Topics ranged from yoga to pitching at Minute Maid Park to LMJ’s favorite Major League pitcher. It’s an excellent read and you can get more about the interview here.

With injury news and promotions, it’s been a good and bad 24 hours for Houston Astros pitching.

Next: Corpus Christi Hooks Update

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