With eight Houston Astros players off representing their countries in the World Baseball Classic, there will be many players getting the extra reps. While most of the pitchers have stayed behind, Luke Gregerson, Kevin Chapman, and Dayan Diaz are off to the WBC. Only one of those players has a chance of making the 25-man roster. Gregerson is that player, but there will be some extra innings for some of the young arms.
Manager A.J. Hinch told us on Talking Stros that he prefers 13 pitchers. Let’s assume that Dallas Keuchel, Lance McCullers, Collin McHugh, Charlie Morton, and Joe Musgrove are in the rotation.