Houston Astros add another name to the DL in Brian McCann

Welcome to the 2017 MLB baseball season in which the Houston Astros have the best record in baseball.

One other big surprise is how big a certain rule in the new collective bargaining agreement. When the news broke on the details of the new CBA this offseason, I liked the 10-day DL rule. Too many times last year, the Houston Astros carried a player too long on the roster before putting him on the 15-day DL.

Half a month just seemed like too long a time to be without a player on the 15-day DL. But ten days seems more reasonable. No one expected how much this would affect the game and most importantly, the DL epidemic in fantasy baseball. Not too many people who are reading this understand what I mean, but it’s hard to field a full lineup with the injuries.

Yesterday, it was announced that the Astros were putting Dallas Keuchel on the 10-day DL, retroactive to this past Wednesday. The reason behind the move was a pinched nerve in the neck. It was described as precautionary with him only possibly missing one start. Hopefully, this is the case, and it’s not a big deal. Ashur Tolliver was called up to replace Keuchel with Brad Peacock getting the start Monday.

Now McCann!

This morning, news came out that catcher Brian McCann was placed on the 7-day concussion DL retroactive to Saturday. McCann did play Friday night versus the Indians but had taken a few days off this week. A.J. Hinch told the media that McCann was trying to hide it thinking that it would get better. McCann has had concussions before, and he thought he would get better, but then he told the team.

Hinch said that he wasn’t sure when the concussion took place. But after some digging, it could have been when he got hit by a foul tip in New York. According to Brian McTaggart, both players could be ready for next Saturday’s game. Until then, Juan Centeno has arrived in Houston to serve as the team’s backup catcher.

Even without a homer at Triple-A, Centeno had a slash line of .368/ .395/ .487/ .882. The Astros signed Centeno this offseason as a minor league free agent. This also signifies that the Astros don’t have faith in Max Stassi. Both players would have to be added to the 40-man roster, so the Astros chose Centeno.

Next: Astros Injury News: Dallas Keuchel to the DL; Brad Peacock to start Monday

Hopefully, the temporary loss of McCann won’t hurt that much, but we need him better for the rest of the year.

***Stats are from Baseball-Reference***