The Houston Astros got some encouraging injury news Friday, with right-hander Tatsuya Imai taking a significant step toward returning to the rotation and reliever Bennett Sousa nearing a comeback from the injured list.
Tatsuya Imai
Imai threw his second bullpen session Friday at Daikin Park, and manager Joe Espada said the next step in his recovery from arm fatigue will be a minor league rehab outing. “It looks like the strength in the arm is back,” Espada said before the Astros’ series opener against the Yankees. “So we want to give him a rehab outing and … gauge and go from there.” Espada left open-ended whether Imai will need multiple rehab starts before rejoining the rotation.
Imai was placed on the 15-day injured list April 13, three days after recording just one out in a start against Seattle. The right-hander, signed to a three-year, $54 million deal in the offseason, made three starts before landing on the IL, twice failing to complete the third inning.
Bennett Sousa
The left-handed reliever should rejoin the Astros “pretty soon,” Espada said, and figures to be activated during the Yankees series. Sousa has been on the injured list since the start of the season recovering from an oblique strain.
Hunter Brown
Brown, who was placed on the injured list with a Grade 2 shoulder strain, resumed playing catch Tuesday. He has not yet been cleared for a bullpen session.
Cristian Javier
Javier has yet to resume throwing as he continues to recover from his own shoulder strain. He remains the furthest from a return among the three injured starters.
Jeremy Peña
The shortstop is taking ground balls, hitting, and building up his running as he recovers from a hamstring strain. Espada did not indicate Friday whether Peña will require a minor league rehab assignment. “We’re going to wait until he starts running and see where he’s at,” Espada said.
Jake Meyers
Meyers, placed on the 10-day injured list April 10 with a right oblique strain, is doing light baseball activity, the team said. No timetable has been given for his return.
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