Devenski, Pressly in as Astros set WS roster

October 22nd, 2019

HOUSTON -- The Astros tweaked their World Series roster in advance of Game 1 against the Nationals on Tuesday, adding veteran right-hander in place of rookie , who was on the roster for the American League Championship Series.

“While we're very excited about Abreu's future and the potential of his impact, we felt like Devo's experience, he's been there, done that, he's pitched in the World Series before,” Houston manager AJ Hinch said. “His weapons are really good; fastball, his changeup’s been good, his slider's been good.”

The Astros also kept All-Star right-hander on the roster, which means he’s healthy and able to pitch after injuring his right knee in Game 6 of the ALCS on Saturday. Pressly tweaked the surgically repaired knee while fielding a ball early in the win over the Yankees and was removed from the game.

The Astros will carry 12 pitchers and 13 position players against the Nationals.

“Anything can happen on the field, but [Pressly] threw a light little bullpen yesterday just to show us that he could go through his normal delivery and throw full speed,” Hinch said. “I think the incident on the field scared him. He said he felt much better than he anticipated, even though he said, ‘If I felt worse I was still going to tell you I felt good,’ because he wants to pitch in the World Series.”

Devenski is appearing on a postseason roster for the first time since the 2017 World Series, when he appeared in five of the seven games and allowed four earned runs in five innings. He was the winning pitcher in Houston’s 7-6 victory over the Dodgers in Game 2 in Los Angeles.

Hinch said Devenski’s changeup and four-seam velocity in the right area of the strike zone could make him a weapon.

“We’re not sure exactly when he’s going to pitch or how much he’s going to pitch,” Hinch said.

Devenski has been inconsistent in the two years since. He’s appeared in 111 games in the past two seasons, posting a 4.56 ERA and 1.25 WHIP with 123 strikeouts in 116 1/3 innings. He’s also been susceptible to the long ball, yielding 22 homers. Abreu allowed a home run in Game 1 of the ALCS and didn’t pitch again in the series.

Here’s the Astros’ full roster for the 115th World Series:

PITCHERS
Gerrit Cole, RHP
Chris Devenski, RHP
Zack Greinke, RHP
Will Harris, RHP
Josh James, RHP
Roberto Osuna, RHP
Brad Peacock, RHP
Ryan Pressly, RHP
Hector Rondon, RHP
Joe Smith, RHP
Jose Urquidy, RHP
Justin Verlander, RHP

CATCHERS
Robinson Chirinos
Martín Maldonado

INFIELDERS
José Altuve, 2B
Alex Bregman, 3B
Carlos Correa, SS
Aledmys Díaz, UTIL
Yuli Gurriel, 1B

OUTFIELDERS
Yordan Álvarez
Michael Brantley
Jake Marisnick
Josh Reddick
George Springer
Kyle Tucker