The Matt Thomas Show with Ross - Brian McTaggart Joins After Lance McCullers News & Roster Conversation

Episode Date: August 28, 2025

Brian McTaggart Joins After Lance McCullers News & Roster Conversation 

Heger joins us from MLB.com for the ballpark. Tags, when you heard about the news, what was your initial reaction to it? Well, it wasn't a real surprise. I mean, I think they were sort of at a crossroads with Lance to try to figure out what to do with him. You know, his last three starts, an ERA of almost 12, just not getting deep in the games. And, you know, it's putting a lot of pressure on the bullpen. So I think they had to have some tough conversations. You know, I think those went on yesterday.

and they made the decision at least in the short term to put him in the bullpen for today and probably just to see how the next couple of games go. Joe Espotted did not rule him out starting Monday against the Angels. I still imagine that that's going to be a long shot. I mean, I think we'll see him in the bullpen until he starts being more effective and getting in the strike zone more and maybe even his velocity comes up a little bit. But they had to make some kind of decision. It just wasn't really viable, I think, for him to be starting games anymore.

Brian, I don't want to put words in his mouth because I've not spoken to him about this. And obviously, this news coming down this morning, my guess is knowing Lance, he's not thrilled about this at all. Probably not. I mean, you know, he's a competitor and he's been a starter his entire career and he's been a really good one when he's healthy. And he wants to get the ball and start games. but he also realizes where he's at, and you can just tell the frustration in his voice that he's not where he needs to be just physically,

and who knows if he will ever get back there. You know, his velocity hasn't been there all season. You know, he's been out more than two years. Been through a lot, you know, a couple of major arm surgeries. You're asking a lot for him to come back and throw 97 and be the 2019 Lance McCullors Jr. He's 31 years old now. That's just really hard to do.

So it's got to be really tough for him to just know that is what's going on with him and deal with the news and just try to wonder what the future holds because it's really uncertain right now. You know, Brian, there's a slippery slope on this because you do want your starters to go along, but you're also worried about health, especially when it comes to McCullors, especially when you're going to Christian Javier. But it feels like to me there is a spot for a guy that can go to three innings if necessary in the middle of that rotation. for the most part the last couple weeks has not seen a lot of length. That's why watching what Framber did last night was so encouraging. Yeah, I mean, I think if

he could, you know, throw a couple innings out of the bullpen, but you know, they've got to be effective innings for him to be a viable member of the bullpen. He's going to have to throw strikes. He's going to have to get guys out and get some swing and miss. Stinker's going to have to, you know, be a weapon for him along with the curveball.

And that's kind of what they're hoping. I mean, he's going to have to change up his routines a little bit. You know, being a starter his entire career, he's going to be asked to get ready quicker. So he's going to have to do some stuff on the field and the weight room just to sort of get himself ready to pitch at a moment's notice. But I don't, I'd be surprised at least initially if we see him in any kind of leverage moments. The problem is the Astros really don't blow anybody out. They don't get blown out. It seems every game is pretty tight.

So, you know, maybe he doesn't pitch in relief. They give him another shot in the rotation, which I think is unlikely. but they're just in a tough spot with him and he's in a tough spot and it's just, you know, unfortunate all the way around. Brian McTaggart, MLB.com with us every Thursday here on Sports Talk 790. Brian, the rosters will expand by a couple of spots coming up in September. I feel like there'd be nobody new to talk about because everybody's been brought up and back forwards 10 times it feels like.

But who do you think are not necessarily locks, but maybe guys that we might see those take those last two spots? Yeah, well, they could have one position player and one. one pitcher. Position player wise, you know, maybe somebody like DeSenzo, you know, he's on minor league rehab right now. He's been out, you know, what a couple of months now, you know, he's somebody that could really be versatile, play

a lot of different positions, be a guy you could have on the bench. You know, maybe they choose to carry a third catcher and keep Salazar here. You know, Yiner's banged up right now. That's why he's not playing. Of course, Terracini's on the concussion protocol. So I think maybe one of those

two guys. I think pitching-wise, it's probably going to be Luis Garcia. You know, he's had a prolonged minor league rehab while he tries to come back. His Velo really hasn't been there. You know, he's, you know, changed his arm action since, you know, he used to rock the baby back a few years ago. Sort of was told he can't do that anymore. And the arm action is shorter. And, you know, the Velo has sort of suffered.

But he's still pitching pretty well during his rehab since the AAA and getting guys out. So maybe he comes up as a swing man, pitch out of the bullpen. a spot start kind of deal. So, yeah, you're right. I don't think it's going to be anybody that is going to wow people. It's going to be somebody where a couple of people were very familiar with and have been up and down this year already. How do you think?

And look, Yoran's not going to line up today. It's no surprise. He's not going to play every single game the rest of the way. What is your thoughts about how they're going to rotate Cam Smith, Jesus, Jose Al-Tuvé, and Yordon Alvarez among D.H. and outfield spots between now and the end of the season. Yeah, I think we'll continue to see them rotate. You know, Sanchez will get most of his abats against, you know, right-handers.

I would imagine, like, even though he's, as I'm looking at the line, now he's, you know, he's not in there today against the left-hander, which isn't a surprise. So, you know, there's the opportunities right there for Cam Smith in right field. And, you know, Yordan's not in there either. but he normally would be. But, you know, just the fact that Sanchez can play left and right. You have days that Alvarez is D.H. You can put Altuve at second base.

There's a lot of different moving parts that Joe can do to get, you know, keep everyone fresh. And, you know, he's really got a glut of position players here. It's a really good problem to have. So he's just going to have to find a way to try to maneuver all these pieces every day. A lot of it's going to depend on the guy on the mount for the other team. A couple more minutes here with Brian McTaggart. He's brought to you today by our friends at Daly and Black.

Don't settle fight back with Dailing and Black. Jason Alexander, not let's say he left for dead, but when the Angels, or should say when the A's say we don't need you, it doesn't mean it's a real good future for him. Is there any major elixir he's taken since Jordan the Astros? Has there been a philosophical change in pitching, or is he just catching lightning in the bottle right now? Well, I think he's getting an opportunity.

Maybe he hadn't had in a while, you know, to be a starter. I think they're getting him to throw his sink or more to lefties and righties when that, you know, really wasn't something that he was told would be effective and it's been effective here. And just taking advantage of an opportunity. I mean, it's been a great story. I mean, where would they be without him, you know, over the last couple of months coming in

and filling this spot in the rotation where it seemed like they were just trying to grasp the straws to get anybody because they've got so many injuries. So I think it's a matter of, you know, a few things, just changing his repertoire a little bit, and the Astros showing some belief in him. And hey, he's pitching in games that matter now. I mean, you know, no offense to the A's, but, you know, they're not in the playoff race.

And now he's pitching for a team that's trying to close out a division here in the next month. And every one of these games are big, and I think he's really risen to the challenge nicely. Astro fans deserve the tidbits on your Twitter account. They also deserve them at 1225 on a Thursday afternoon. They do. Jose Al-Tubei won. 0,055 OPS in July.

Hide your ears, August 688. Oh, that's not a tidbit. That's a downer. Tidbits aren't always positive, Matt. But Al-Tube gets the day off yesterday, so maybe that'll, you know, he's a streaky guy. So if he gets going, he can carry the offense here for the next couple of weeks.