A direct result of the numerous injuries that have thinned Houston’s roster this season has been the steady stream of minor leaguers making their big league debuts for the Astros.
Outfielder Kenedy Corona joined that list on Monday and finished 0-for-2 with a walk in the Astros’ 7-5 loss to the Cleveland Guardians in the opener of a three-game series that will continue Tuesday night in Houston.
The Astros have received ample support from their farm system this season, with manager Joe Espada tasked with integrating the new faces while maintaining the Astros’ winning pace.
Houston is in first place in the American League West, 6 1/2 games ahead of the Seattle Mariners.
“I do have a relationship with all of them, either at spring training or some of the young kids I’ve seen for years now,” Espada said of his players. “I’m excited to have an opportunity to manage them in the big leagues. And for me, it’s gratifying to have the opportunity to see all these new faces and figure out a way to win major league games. That’s what makes my job this much fun.”
Right-hander Hunter Brown (9-3, 1.82 ERA) is the scheduled starter for the Astros on Tuesday. Selected to the All-Star Game for the first time in his career, Brown leads the majors in ERA. He is unbeaten over his past seven starts, going 3-0 with a 1.49 ERA and 55 strikeouts across 42 1/3 innings.
Brown recorded his 500th career strikeout in his previous outing, a 5-3 victory over the Colorado Rockies on Wednesday, when he surrendered two runs on six hits and one walk with eight strikeouts over six innings.
Brown has not recorded a decision and has a 5.91 ERA in two career starts against the Guardians, who ended a 10-game losing streak on Monday.
In his most recent outing against Cleveland, Brown allowed one run on four hits and five walks with nine strikeouts over 5 1/3 innings in the Astros’ 5-3, 10-inning victory on June 7.
Rookie left-hander Joey Cantillo (1-0, 3.41 ERA) has the starting assignment for the Guardians on Tuesday. Cantillo made 21 relief appearances before allowing no runs, two hits and three walks with five strikeouts over 3 1/3 innings against the Chicago Cubs on Thursday in his first start of the season and ninth of his career. The Guardians lost 1-0 in 10 innings.
Cantillo has made one start against the Astros, a 5-2 loss on Sept. 27, 2024. He allowed three runs on six hits and two walks with seven strikeouts over 3 2/3 innings.
The Guardians placed infielder Kyle Manzardo on the family medical emergency list on Monday and recalled outfielder Jhonkensy Noel from Triple-A Columbus. Noel made the club out of spring training but was optioned on June 8 after hitting .146 in 46 games.
Noel hit .280 with five homers and 17 RBIs in 24 games with Columbus. He pinch-ran for Nolan Jones in the eighth inning Monday and finished the game in right field.
“Jhonkensy was getting some good results in Triple-A,” Guardians manager Stephen Vogt said. “Obviously, with (Manzardo) going home to deal with his family and facing Houston with two left-handed starters and four lefties in the bullpen, it’s good to get some right-handed reinforcements. Jhonkensy was swinging the bat well. We know how good he can play some defense in right field, and he’s also going to be playing some first now with Manzardo out.”
–Field Level Media
