Astros: 3 options for left-handed relievers as Blake Taylor struggles

Unheralded Parker Mushinski didn’t look like a guy who was scared of the bright lights in his brief time with the Astros this season.

Mushinski has pitched in five games, covering 5.1 innings and has a 5.06 ERA with an xERA of 3.61.

Mushinski didn’t exactly dominate left-handers in his time with the Astros, but since his return to Sugar Land on May 5, he hasn’t given up an earned run in seven appearances, compiled a 0.71 WHIP and .125 opponents batting average.

One trade option is definitely and upgrade — Rogers — but is likely one that’s either not on the market or will be too expensive for the Astros’ taste. The others would be marginal improvements, but I’d be willing to listen on Chafin, depending on the cost.

With Taylor’s metrics trending in the wrong direction and Mushinski holding left-handed batters to a .154 average and 0.82 WHIP one has to wonder if it’s just a matter of time before the Astros braintrust decides to make a move.

The games in May and June mean just as much as those in August and September in the standings, but this is the time of year for a young internal candidate could get his feet underneath him, get used to big league life and prepare to contribute down the stretch.