Oooh crap. It's being widely-reported that Bud Norris will not be making his next scheduled start Saturday because of what is being called biceps tendinitis, and the Astros' streak of using the same five starting pitchers will end at 48 games.
Levine:
He will likely return to Houston to be examined by Astros team physician Dr. David Lintner. Norris came to the clubhouse Thursday morning and saw trainer Nate Lucero, complaining of soreness. He last started Sunday against Tampa Bay, giving up five runs in five innings.
Back in February, Tom Verducci listed his ten pitchers who should be red-flagged for injury, and of course Bud Norris was listed because of the IP increase from 2008 to 2009. So now he misses a start. You could probably throw darts at a list of pitchers and hit a couple who are going to be injured at some point in a season, though.
If he goes on the DL, it's hard to say what will happen to the rotation. Hopefully Moehler will not be called upon for the spot start, so that's probably exactly what will happen. If Easy Eddie brings up somebody from Round Rock, here are a couple of candidates:
Josh Banks (27 years old): 63IP, 60H/21ER, 26K:15BB. 3.00 ERA/1.19 WHIP.
Gustavo Chacin (29): 25IP, 24H/10ER, 14K:6BB. 3.60 ERA/1.20 WHIP
Andy Van Hekken (30): 52IP, 53H/24ER, 39K:16BB. 4.15 ERA/1.33 WHIP.
Polin Trinidad (25): 48IP, 53H/24ER, 31K:15BB. 4.50 ERA/1.42 WHIP.
It's a shame that Norris wasn't lined up for Friday, as the Reds have called up Sam LeCure to pitch against the Astros tomorrow night.
We didn't come out here to play tiddlywinks, son.
-Hal Smith
