Houston Astros have a Jake Odorizzi problem
The Houston Astros desperately needed Jake Odorizzi to be a rock in their rotation. With a starting rotation that had been hammered by injuries, Houston needed a dependable option behind Zack Greinke as they looked to return to the postseason. Odorizzi was to be that starter.
On Saturday, those plans may have taken a devastating hit. He faced one batter before departing the game, flexing his arm after getting David Fletcher to pop out.
After getting David Fletcher to fly out to begin the game, Astros pitcher Jake Odorizzi is leaving this game.
— Jack Harris (@ByJackHarris) April 24, 2021
Looked like he was flexing out his arm after the pitch. Astros are going to have to piece this together now.
Houston Astros cannot afford to lose Jake Odorizzi
There were warning signs during that one plate appearance. Odorizzi had significant decreases in his velocity, with his slider being down 2.6 MPH and his fastball having a 4.7 MPH drop compared to his averages this season.
More Astros. Season hinges on Odorizzi. light
Although Odorizzi had not looked like himself this season, it was still too early to be concerned. He signed late in spring training, getting all of four innings of action before the season began. Saturday’s outing was just his third appearance of the year, as he had allowed nine runs on ten hits and three walks in his 7.2 innings heading into that game.
However, there was reason to expect that he would be back to his usual form soon. Odorizzi had displayed signs of progress in his second outing, giving the Astros hope that he would soon be ready to be that solid second starter they needed. With Justin Verlander out for the year, and Framber Valdez uncertain to pitch this season, Odorizzi was needed to be that steadying influence.
On the positive side, the Astros rotation has been solid even without Odorizzi being up to speed. Christian Javier and Luis Garcia both had strong starts to the season. Houston has high hopes for Jose Urquidy, and Lance McCullers Jr. has pitched better than his numbers would indicate. They may be fine without Odorizzi in the rotation.
But this is a lot to ask from what would be an unproven pitching staff. Houston would be counting on their young arms to step up quicker than they would otherwise need to. Likewise, they would not be able to afford those growing pains as they look to return to the playoffs.
Next. A realistic extension for Correa. dark
Jake Odorizzi left his start on Satuday after five pitches. The Houston Astros cannot afford to lose his services for an extended period of time.