Bogusevic On Injured Astros Starters: 'Depth Has Been Stressed To Its Max'

Brian Bogusevic, former Astros outfielder and Space City Home Network analyst, joins Next Up to discuss Astros starting pitchers Cristian Javier and Jose Urquidy who will be out for the remainder of this season and part of next season as both are scheduled to have right elbow surgery.

The Astros starting rotation has dealt with injuries all year, including Luis Garcia and Lance McCullers who are not expected to return until after the All-Star break and J.P. France who has yet to resume a rehab program after being optioned to Sugar Land. "The depth has been stressed to its max," Bogusevic said. "It's a cause for concern" as the Astros are operating with five healthy starters on the 40-man roster: Justin Verlander, Framber Valdez, Hunter Brown, Spencer Arrighetti and Ronel Blanco. "They all have to be good every time."

On whether the Astros could have better prepared for this scenario by adding pitching insurance in the offseason, Bogusevic says the Astros had a healthy rotation heading into spring training. "What else could you have done?"

The Astros could not complete the series sweep against the St. Louis Cardinals, losing 4-2 on Wednesday. Third baseman Alex Bregman was scratched due to a sore left hand after being hit by a pitch the night before. Right fielder Kyle Tucker missed his second straight game after fouling a ball off his right shin Monday.

The Astros currently sit at a 28-35 record, seven games back from the lead in the AL West. Bogusevic says this Astros lineup is "good enough to get their selves back in" the postseason race, but are also "incentivized to be early movers" in the trade market if players do not perform.