Houston Astros starter Jake Odorizzi has been rehabbing an ankle injury for a while.
Out since May 16, when he had to leave his start against the Boston Red Sox with ankle pain, the right-hander should be able to return to the Astros’ rotation as soon as he is needed, having completed his rehab.
“Jake Odorizzi is at Minute Maid Park. He says he doesn’t know his next steps. He tossed five shutout innings in his second rehab start last night for Double-A Corpus Christi. Hooks are playing in Frisco for the next four days. Triple-A Space Cowboys are in Albuquerque,” Danielle Lerner of the Houston Chronicle reported.
Jake Odorizzi is at Minute Maid Park. He says he doesn’t know his next steps.
He tossed five shutout innings in his second rehab start last night for Double-A Corpus Christi. Hooks are playing in Frisco for the next four days. Triple-A Space Cowboys are in Albuquerque. pic.twitter.com/qMPXbvUcp1
— Danielle Lerner (@danielle_lerner) June 30, 2022
It looks like he will rejoin the Astros sooner rather than later.
He Feels Ready
He said he feels ready to return to Houston’s starting rotation.
His rehab start on Wednesday was particularly impressive, and it’s evident he had his strikeout stuff working to perfection.
There is a chance he slots back into the rotation early next week against the Kansas City Royals, but there hasn’t been an official announcement yet.
That announcement could come before the end of the week.
After a rough start of the season, Odorizzi was starting to turn around his luck when he went down.
He has a 3-2 record and a 3.13 ERA in 31.2 frames, with 21 strikeouts and a 1.17 WHIP to complete his statistical profile.
When he is on, his high-velo fastball works up in the zone and leaves no margin for error for hitters.
The fastball is the most important pitch in his repertoire, so he needs to be fully healthy to be effective.
Judging by his latest rehab starts, it appears he has reached that point.
He just needs an opportunity in the rotation.
NEXT: Justin Verlander Has Set The Pace For MLB Pitchers