Baseball Daily Dose: Dose: Gomez, Going, Gone

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How will you remember the Carlos Gomez era in Houston? Probably as underwhelming.

The 30-year-old center fielder was designated for assignment by the Astros on Wednesday evening, a little over 12 months after being acquired from the Brewers (along with starting pitcher Mike Fiers) for prospects Domingo Santana, Brett Phillips, Josh Hader, Adrian Houser, and international signing bonus slot No. 76.

Gomez will either be traded or released by the Astros within the next 10 days. A trade seems possible because he’s only owed around $3 million for the remainder of the season (on a $9 million base salary) and because he was a highly productive center fielder as recently as 2014, but these things don’t always shake out in a predictable manner. There are a number of contenders who could use outfield help — especially in center — like the Mets, Cardinals, and Indians.

Gomez struggled down the stretch with the Astros in 2015 and fell even further from grace this season. He hits waivers with a .210/.272/.322 batting line, five home runs, and 13 stolen bases through 85 games in 2016. This from a guy who slashed .284/.347/.491 with 47 home runs and 74 stolen bases in 295 games for the Brewers between 2013-2014, earning his way onto back-to-back National League All-Star teams.

Jake Marisnick will take over as the Astros’ regular center fielder for the stretch run. He doesn’t do much offensively, but the 25-year-old can play excellent defense. Gomez had also been fading badly in the defensive department.

This could also in a way open up playing time in the outfield for Alex Bregman, who has primarily played third base since his July 25 promotion to the major leagues. Yulieski Gurriel, signed out of Cuba last month for $47.5 million and currently raking at Double-A Corpus Christi, is due to take over the hot corner sometime next week. Bregman should then start seeing starts in left.

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Dodgers Still Shuffling Starting Rotation

Veteran starter Rich Hill was supposed to be a big get for the Dodgers at the August 1 trade deadline, but he was on the disabled list at the time of the trade due to a blister on his left hand and the thing still hasn’t healed. Hill tried to throw a bullpen session Tuesday at Dodger Stadium in anticipation of debuting for Los Angeles on Friday night against the Pirates, but that portion of the workout was canceled after he felt lingering discomfort during a warmup game of catch.

Hill hasn’t appeared in a game since July 17, when he was still a member of the Athletics and lasted just five pitches against the Blue Jays. It’s difficult to recall a blister like this, that has cost a pitcher so much time. “We don’t have a date on when Rich is going to pitch for us,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts told the Los Angeles Times on Wednesday.

Ross Stripling is going to start Friday instead and makes for a decent streaming option versus Pittsburgh. He struck out four batters over five scoreless innings Saturday against a dangerous Red Sox offense and holds a 3.79 ERA for the year.

Also in doubt for the Dodgers is whether Brandon McCarthy will take his turn on Saturday against the Cubs. He again failed to make it out of the fourth inning Sunday versus Boston and has issued a total of 10 walks over his last two outings. Roberts and Co. will be looking for better command in his between-starts bullpen session on Thursday. Julio Urias is ready in waiting to take McCarthy’s place.

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National League Quick Hits: Nationals manager Dusty Baker said Wednesday that Bryce Harper’s neck injury has shown no improvement … Giancarlo Stanton (hip) was held out of the Marlins’ starting lineup on Wednesday … Dodgers shortstop Corey Seager is day-to-day with a bruised wrist … Jeremy Hellickson left his start Wednesday against the Dodgers due to back tightness … Julio Teheran (lat) will throw off the mound on Thursday and is aiming to return between August 16-23 … Phillies rookie starter Zach Eflin (knee) might not return this season … David Phelps has allowed just one run over 9 1/3 innings in two turns through the Marlins’ rotation … Padres starter Edwin Jackson hurled seven scoreless innings at the Pirates on Wednesday, allowing only two hits while striking out seven … Brandon Phillips is day-to-day with a quad injury … Marlins starter Wei-Yin Chen (elbow) played catch Wednesday for the first time since landing on the disabled list … Freddie Freeman went 3-for-3 with two solo homers but the Braves still fell to the Brewers on Wednesday … Diamondbacks outfielder David Peralta will undergo season-ending wrist surgery on Thursday … Jose Reyes (intercostal) is scheduled to begin a rehab assignment Thursday with Low-A Brooklyn … Cubs manager Joe Maddon said that Hector Rondon (triceps) is “trending in the right direction” … Tyler Thornburg struck out one batter in a clean ninth inning to earn his fourth save of the season on Wednesday against the Braves … Cardinals first baseman Matt Adams was scratched Wednesday due to left shoulder soreness … Robbie Ray fired seven shutout innings against the Mets on Wednesday but got stuck with a no-decision … Pirates catcher Francisco Cervelli was forced out of Wednesday’s game against the Padres due to left wrist discomfort … Yasmany Tomas was held out of the Diamondbacks’ lineup again on Wednesday due to a stiff neck … Reds outfielder Scott Schebler is day-to-day with calf tightness.

American League Quick Hits: Red Sox starter Steven Wright will not take his turn Thursday against the Yankees due to a jammed shoulder … David Ortiz had to be helped off the field after fouling a ball off his right leg on Wednesday night but X-rays turned up negative … Troy Tulowitzki went 2-for-3, walked, homered, and drove in five runs in the Blue Jays’ win over the Rays on Wednesday … Mookie Betts left Wednesday’s game against the Yankees with right calf tightness and is not expected to play Thursday … Yunel Escobar went 3-for-4 and scored a run but the Angels lost to the Cubs on Wednesday … J.A. Happ tossed six scoreless innings while fanning seven as the Blue Jays beat the Rays on Wednesday night … Mariners optioned Cuban outfielder Guillermo Heredia back to Triple-A Tacoma … Gary Sanchez went 4-for-5 and hit his first homer Wednesday in the Yankees’ win over the Red Sox … Tigers reliever Shane Greene is day-to-day with a posterior oblique issue … A’s manager Bob Melvin said he’s no longer optimistic Eric Sogard (knee) will play this year … Twins placed reliever Trevor May on the 15-day disabled list with a lower back sprain … Yankees optioned right-hander Luis Severino to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre … Mariners left-hander Charlie Furbush will undergo surgery to repair a partially torn rotator cuff on Tuesday … Red Sox manager John Farrell said Chris Young (hamstring) will need in the neighborhood of 20-25 at-bats once he begins his rehab assignment on Thursday … Royals released reliever Edward Mujica … Yankees released first baseman Ike Davis.

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