Astros recall Guduan to fill in for Harris

July 15th, 2017

HOUSTON -- The Astros placed right-handed reliever Will Harris on the 10-day disabled list with inflammation in his right shoulder, retroactive to Tuesday, following Friday's series-opening 10-5 win over the Twins. To fill Harris' spot, the Astros recalled left-hander from Triple-A Fresno on Saturday.
Harris, a 2016 All-Star and one of the Astros' most reliable relievers, with a 2.86 ERA in 34 2/3 innings this season, will be eligible to return on Friday, when the Astros begin a three-game series in Baltimore. The DL stint -- which he doesn't expect to be lengthy, following an MRI earlier this week -- is the first of his Major League career.
"I've been treating it pretty aggressively the past week or so," Harris said on Friday. "It just didn't get to where we were comfortable with it. We'll take a few days and see how I respond to some rest -- and keep getting the treatment I've been getting. It shouldn't be a lengthy period of time."
Guduan, a power arm who is averaging 95.32 mph on his four-seam fastball in 2017, according to Statcast™, joins as Houston's left-handed options in the bullpen.

The decision to bring Guduan back to the Major League club was simple: His high-velocity arm matches up favorably against the Twins and in the Astros' upcoming series vs. the Mariners that begins on Monday, manager A.J. Hinch said.
He'll also have the chance to get more accustomed to MLB-caliber hitters during his debut season.
"They've got a lot of switch-hitters on [the Twins] and a lot of left-handed hitters on the Mariners," Hinch said. "Adding him, we wanted to have multiple left-handed options out of the bullpen. He's on the 40-man [roster]. He's been up and down a couple different times."
In seven appearances -- including his Major League debut in the Astros' 17-6 win at Minnesota on May 31 -- Guduan has allowed seven earned runs in 7 2/3 innings.
"His velocity has been very good. His slider's gotten a lot better," Hinch said. "We want to continue to mature him at the Major League level. With Harris going on the DL, he was the best option both strategically and also for what we'd like moving forward."