Astros notes: Pressly avoids IL, Correa is back, Syndergaard maybe out

There’s been a lot happening with the Astros lately with the injury to Ryan Pressly, the comeback of Carlos Correa, and Noah Syndergaard rumors.

It’s that time of year folks, trade deadline fast approaching, injuries seem to mean a little bit more, and players bouncing back after missing a spell are celebrated. We’re in that late summer stretch for the Astro’s final playoff push. Let’s relax and review, Pressly avoids the 10-Day IL, Correa has a nice return and a scare, and everyone is anticipating a big Syndergaard like trade.

Ryan Pressly is still nursing a sore knee that was struck by a baseball off of the bat of Andrelton Simmons ten days ago. A.J. Hinch sat him for six days to give him some healing time. Pressly came in and pitched a one-hit inning on the 24th, all seemed promising. Two days later, he’s back on the mound and didn’t look like the Pressly we’re accustomed to seeing.

In the bottom of the 8th, Astros one run up, Pressly comes in for relief. He walks the leadoff batter, gives up a double to Jose Martinez, and then surrenders a three-run shot to Paul Goldschmidt. Without ever recording an out, Pressly’s night is done.

Pressly didn’t outright admit it, but his knee is still bothersome. “There are things that are bothering me and things that are bothering everybody. It’s July. So everyone has to work through something. I’m in the training room getting treatment and I have all the faith in the training staff to get me right. We’re taking it day by day.”

As it stands, Hinch is holding off and not yet placing him on the Injured List, for now. “Right now, that’s not the assessment, so I wouldn’t want to give away [that time if] two or three days from now he’s going to be available,” Hinch said. “Certainly, it’s something that we’re talking about. And if it’s something that we think is absolutely necessary, then we’ll do it.”

On the upside, it looks like Carlos Correa is back and inflicting damage to opposing pitchers. Last night he went 2-for-4 and knocked in five runs, including his first career grand slam off of Cardinal reliever Michael Wacha in the third inning.

There was a little scare in the eighth when Yairo Munoz clearly slid wide of second base attempting to keep Correa from completing a double play. That would be the last thing the Astros need, losing Correa to injury again after just two days. He was able to complete the inning but was removed later in the game feeling numbness in his arm.

Fortunately, Correa seemed to avoid anything serious and says he’s fine to go. “Right now, I feel great. That sensation is not there anymore, so I should be good for Sunday,” he said.

That’s the semi-bad news on Pressly and the good news for Correa. Let’s look at the not-so hopeful news on the trade front. According to Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic, Houston has gotten out of contention in acquiring Noah Syndergaard.

Whether that’s true or not is still to be seen. These rumors seem to change every other minute with just a few days left before the trade deadline. I’m sure GM Jeff Luhnow is doing everything he can to improve the roster without doing too much harm to the farm system. I’m still expecting a top tier starter to be added and maybe even a reliever.

But let’s not forget one thing. With all of the injuries and adversities the Astros have been through this season, they are still eight games in front in their division and in a virtual tie with the Yankees for the best record in the American League. Keep your chins up and continue cheering them on to “Take it Back”.