The Astros placed closer Ryan Pressly on the 10-day injured list with right knee inflammation (retroactive to April 14), per Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle and others (via Twitter). In a corresponding move, Parker Mushinski has been called up to join the major league team. Mushinski will make his debut if he finds his way into a ballgame.
Pressly has appeared in four games this season, earning three saves in 3 1/3 innings of work. The 33-year-old Dallas native is in his third season since taking over as the full-time closer in Houston. Without him, Houston could turn to former Phillies’ closer Hector Neris or simply go closer-by-committee. Any number of Houston relievers have late-game experience. Rafael Montero has 15 career saves, and while Ryne Stanek, Pedro Baez and Phil Maton don’t have much closing experience, they’re seasoned vets who could no doubt stomach the challenge of the game’s final frame.
The decision to add Mushinski could be in part because he’s a southpaw. Blake Taylor is the only lefty currently in manager Dusty Baker’s bullpen. The 26-year-old Mushinski made it to Triple-A for the first time last season – and including this year’s four appearances – the Texas native has tossed 17 1/3 innings for the Sugar Land Space Cowboys, posting a 2.08 ERA in that small sample.
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