Greinke eyes return in the postseason

Keep track of the Astros’ recent transactions and injury updates throughout the season.

Sept. 30: RHP Kendall Graveman activated from paternity list; RHP Peter Solomon optioned to Triple-A Sugar Land
Graveman, who hasn’t pitched since Sept. 25 in Oakland, returns following the birth of his second child. Solomon threw four innings on Sept. 29.

Sept. 29: OF Michael Brantley activated off 10-day injured list
Brantley hasn’t played since Sept. 11 because of right knee discomfort, missing 16 games. He entered Wednesday’s game hitting .315 with eight homers and 45 RBIs. He ranks second in the American League in batting average behind teammate Yuli Gurriel (.317) and needs nine plate appearances over the last five games to qualify among the league leaders.

Sept. 29: RHP Josh James optioned to Triple-A Sugar Land
A day after he was recalled to replace Kendall Graveman, who went on the paternity list, James was optioned to Sugar Land. James has appeared in five games for the Astros this year, all in September, posting a 5.40 ERA.

RHP Zack Greinke (neck soreness)
Expected return: Playoffs
Greinke, who came down with a sore neck following his last start on Sept. 19 and landed on the IL, threw two scoreless innings in a rehab start Sept. 30 for Triple-A Sugar Land, striking out three batters and allowing one hit while throwing 34 pitches. (Last updated: Oct. 1)

RHP Pedro Báez (right shoulder soreness)
Expected return: TBD
Báez, who missed the first four months with a COVID-19 diagnosis and shoulder soreness before appearing in four games after being activated on Aug. 10, threw two-thirds of an inning on Sept. 26 at Triple-A Sugar Land. (Last updated: Sept. 26)

RHP Tyler Ivey (right elbow soreness)
Expected return: 2022
Ivey is set to make his second Minor League appearance with Triple-A Sugar Land on Oct. 1. He started on Sept. 26 at El Paso, throwing 49 pitches in 1 2/3 innings. Ivey made his Major League debut on May 21 and was optioned the following day before being placed on the injured list July 5. (Last updated: Oct. 1)

RHP Rafael Montero (right shoulder discomfort)
Expected return: Out for regular season
Montero has been on the 10-day IL since Aug. 9, a day after he suffered a right shoulder injury. He has begun a throwing program, but the move to the 60-day IL ensures he won’t pitch again during the regular season and diminishes his chances of returning in the postseason. (Last updated: Sept. 15)

LHP Kent Emanuel (left elbow surgery)
Expected return: 2022
Emanuel underwent surgery June 3 to fix the ulnar collateral ligament in his left elbow, ending his season. Emanuel, who tore his UCL at the beginning of 2020 and tried to rehab the injury with platelet-rich plasma and stem cell injections, avoided a second Tommy John surgery and could be ready for the start of the 2022 season. (Last updated: June 4)

RHP Justin Verlander (Tommy John surgery)
Expected return: 2022
Verlander, who had Tommy John surgery Sept. 30, spoke to reporters May 7 and said he was throwing a baseball at 90 feet and was determined to come back next season. He didn’t completely rule out a return this October as a reliever, but that comes with a higher risk of reinjury. (Last updated: May 25)