Hinch "feeling really good" about rotation

March 25th, 2017

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. -- Astros manager A.J. Hinch spent most of the offseason answering questions about the additions of , , Charlie Morton and and about the health of starting pitchers and
With Spring Training coming to a close, the time for talk is almost over and the Astros will have to prove their worth on the field. Hinch, entering his third year in Houston, took some time to answer some questions from MLB.com about where his team stands entering 2017.
"We have a good group," he said. "We have an understanding of each other. We've gotten to know the new personalities, and I like our team."
Hinch said he's pleased with the health of Keuchel, McCullers and Morton, all of whom battled injuries last year, but have sailed through the spring. is still getting his arm in shape, but the health of Keuchel and McCullers is the key.
"As a group, we have the capable bodies to put in a formidable rotation and start the season feeling really good," he said.
Hinch is a big believer in a lineup that works together and flows, and he'll have a deep lineup that could potentially see guys like Brian McCann and hitting near the bottom.
"That's a good problem to have," he said.
Meanwhile, the Astros have a solid, yet unheralded bullpen. It's versatile, in that he has three guys capable of closing -- Luke Gregerson, and Will Harris -- as well as a not-so-secret weapon in . And they can pile up the strikeouts.
"We have one of the most versatile and deep bullpens in the league," he said.
Of course, the start of the season will be magnified for the Astros, who got off to a 7-17 start last year and couldn't climb their way all the way back.
"We have a capable team to get off to a better start and set a better tone," he said.