The Houston Astros made another roster move Thursday, activating outfielder Taylor Trammell from the paternity list and optioning Joey Loperfido back to Triple-A Sugar Land.
Trammell was placed on the paternity list Tuesday and missed the first two games of Houston’s series against the Kansas City Royals. Loperfido was recalled from Sugar Land to take his place on the roster, making his latest stay with the Astros a brief one.
Loperfido received just one plate appearance during the two-day call-up, striking out as a pinch hitter in Wednesday’s 5-2 loss to Kansas City. Trammell, who had started 10 of the Astros’ previous 12 games before going on the paternity list, returns directly to the starting lineup Thursday, batting seventh and playing left field in the rubber game against the Royals.
Barring an injury replacement, Loperfido’s option should end his time with the Astros for the regular season. Position players generally must remain in the minors for 10 days after being optioned, and Houston entered Thursday with only 10 games remaining.
Steven Okert’s Return Remains Uncertain
The Astros also received an update Thursday on left-handed reliever Steven Okert, although there is still no timetable for his return.
Okert was placed on the 15-day injured list Sept. 4 with a right hamstring strain, retroactive to Sept. 1. He is throwing on flat ground, and manager Joe Espada said a follow-up appointment Thursday showed that the hamstring is “healing well,” but he did not have an estimate for when Okert might resume throwing from a mound.
That leaves increasingly little time for Okert to return during the regular season. Okert has been one of Houston’s most important bullpen arms this year, leading the team with 68 relief appearances while posting a 2.13 ERA, 0.87 WHIP, and 68 strikeouts in 67⅔ innings.
Houston and Texas entered Thursday tied atop the AL West at 76-76 with only 10 games remaining. For now, Houston will continue its postseason push without one of its most-used relievers.
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