Astros back to eight-man bullpen due to injuries

The Astros announce good news and bad news in recent pitching shuffle.

While the pitching staff has taken some blows due to injuries, the Houston Astros have moved back to the more common eight-man bullpen. Andre Scrubb was placed on the 10-day injured list with a right shoulder strain that is retroactive to July 17. As a corresponding move, Garrett Stubbs was recalled from Triple-A Sugar Land.

With Jose Urquidy throwing on flat ground, the organization anticipates the right-hander to be nearing a rehab assignment. While in the same boat, Brooks Raley, who hit the IL due to health and safety protocol before the All-Star break, will be assigned to a rehab stint on Tuesday.

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The left-hander is still off the 40-man and has not been activated, although being at the stadium on Monday. Carlos Correa was also a player to hit this issue but was activated to a roster that wasn’t full. Raley’s return will require a corresponding 40-man move that has not been distinguished yet.

In the news of current rehab assignments, Josh James looks to have experienced a set back (hamstring) in his progressions. The right-hander took a line drive off his body in his most recent appearance with the Sugar Land Skeeters, but this wasn’t the reason his rehab was paused. While nearing the end of his assignment, it is unclear how the organization will move forward with his situation.

While running a short bench in recent weeks, manager Dusty Baker now has Stubbs at disposal, although Taylor Jones has been raking in Triple-A.