News
Quintero, Coste move into bigger roles
Houston (58-62) vs. Florida (64-56), 7:05 p.m. CT
By Jason Grodsky / MLB.com
08/19/09 11:50 PM ET
HOUSTON -- With the departure of Ivan Rodriguez, the catching duties will fall on the shoulders of Humberto Quintero and Chris Coste. Barring another move by the Astros, Quintero and Coste will split playing time behind the plate, and through two games they've done just that. Quintero was behind the dish on Wednesday against the Florida Marlins, and Tuesday was the first time Coste donned the gear in a Houston uniform. Since being picked up off waivers from Philadelphia on July 10, Coste has started 14 games, 13 at first base, hitting .233 with two home runs and 16 RBIs. He hopes his production at the plate will pick up as his time behind the plate increases. "I have much more fun as a catcher, and it's my best position by far," Coste said. "I usually hit much better when I'm catching, and I have a huge passion for catching. I'm excited to have the chance to get back to it." The Astros recalled infielder Edwin Maysonet -- who lived with Ivan Rodriguez during his previous stints in the big league -- from Triple-A Round Rock to replace Rodriguez on the roster, and he's expected to step back into the role as the club's emergency catcher. "Maysonet would be the third guy," manager Cecil Cooper said. "He caught some bullpen [sessions] for us earlier in the year, and we'll use him in that role again." Looking to the future, Houston has a promising cast of catchers in its farm system. J.R. Towles, who played in four games early in the season with Houston, has hit .287 in 47 games with three home runs and 17 RBIs at Round Rock. He would be the likely candidate to be called up if either Quintero or Coste falters. The Astros are also grooming their first-round pick from the 2008 First-Year Player Draft, Jason Castro, who is hitting .299 with 22 RBIs in 51 games since being promoted to Double-A Corpus Christi on June 10. He has been selected to be one of the two catchers to represent the United States in the upcoming 2009 IBAF World Cup. But for now, Houston is confident in Coste and Quintero and hopes the time the pair spent watching 14-time All-Star Rodriguez play can benefit them down the stretch. "I learned a couple of things by watching the way [Pudge] called the games," Quintero said. "I've been waiting for the opportunity, and now it looks like they are going to give it and I'll try to do my best for the team." Pitching matchupHOU: LHP Wandy Rodriguez (11-7, 3.05 ERA)
Rodriguez's run of terrific starts came to a screeching halt on Friday in Milwaukee, where he was rocked in his worst outing of the year. He gave up 10 hits, 10 runs -- including three home runs -- and five walks in four innings to snap his personal six-game winning streak. Rodriguez was 6-0 with a 1.35 ERA in his previous nine starts and was named NL Pitcher of the Month for July. He is 2-1 with a 3.65 ERA in six career outings against the Marlins, including four starts. FLA: RHP Josh Johnson (12-2, 2.85 ERA)
Simply dominant is how to best describe Johnson's previous outing. He had no-hit stuff, flirting with his first no-no through 6 2/3 innings against the Rockies before Garrett Atkins homered. Johnson worked 7 1/3 innings, allowing one hit and one run, while striking out a career-high 11. The Marlins are 18-6 when Johnson starts, and he has matched his career high for wins in a season (12). He previously did it in his 2006 rookie season. Tidbits
Right-hander Doug Brocail will throw one inning of a simulated game from the Minute Maid Park mound on Thursday. He has been on the disabled list with a right shoulder strain since Aug. 5. ... After rejoining Houston to take some batting practice with the Astros on Tuesday, third baseman Aaron Boone headed back to Double-A Corpus Christi to continue his rehab and comeback from open heart surgery. Tickets
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• Friday: Astros (Roy Oswalt, 6-4, 4.01) vs. D-backs (Yusmeiro Petit, 2-7, 6.47), 7:05 p.m. CT
• Saturday: Astros (TBD) vs. D-backs (Max Scherzer, 7-7, 4.00), 6:05 p.m. CT
• Sunday: Astros (TBD) vs. D-backs (Jon Garland, 6-11, 4.42), 1:05 p.m. CT
Jason Grodsky is an associate reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
