The Astros started their week with a pitching injury: Justin Verlander, out indefinitely with forearm soreness. It seemed to set an unfortunate theme.
On Monday night, Dusty Baker announced that set-up man Ryan Pressly was day-to-day with elbow soreness. Soon after, he said the same about another reliever, Chris Devenski, and then announced a full shutdown for swingman Austin Pruitt, who had previously been placed on the 10-day IL. Finally, on Tuesday, he announced one more bullpen injury: Joe Biagini, who would be sidelined with shoulder soreness. Add in Brad Peacock’s issues from last week, and the team was left in the unenviable position of having just one pitcher in the ‘pen, Roberto Osuna, with more than a year of big-league experience.