Houston split its last homestand, taking 2 straight from Texas before dropping 2 of 3 to Toronto, and they've now lost their most recent game. San Diego's been the opposite, alternating losses and wins across its last 5 but capping the stretch with a win, and getting a much-needed jolt from the two new arms after a rotation that's been bleeding starters for months.
- 10-Day-ILBrice Matthews (CF) — General manager Dana Brown said Sunday that the Astros are targeting "mid-August, potentially the third week of August" for Matthews' (knee) return from the 10-day injured list, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.08/05
- 15-Day-ILMike Burrows (SP) — Burrows (elbow) threw a 35-pitch live batting practice session Friday, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports.07/31
- 60-Day-ILCarlos Correa (SS) — Correa (ankle) was cleared to swing a bat Tuesday and is hopeful to return from the 60-day injured list before the end of the season, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.08/04
- 60-Day-ILBrandon Walter (SP) — The Astros announced Friday that Walter (elbow) is in the midst of a throwing progression at the team's complex in West Palm Beach, Fla., Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.06/04
- 10-Day-ILSamad Taylor (LF) — Taylor (oblique) has been taking light swings and rehabbing at the Padres' spring complex in Arizona, MLB.com reports.08/04
- 10-Day-ILMiguel Andujar (DH) — The Padres placed Andujar on the 10-day injured list Monday with a fractured right wrist.07/20
- 15-Day-ILDavid Morgan (RP) — Morgan (knee) made a rehab appearance Sunday at Triple-A El Paso, allowing one hit and no walks over an inning of relief.08/03
- 15-Day-ILLucas Giolito (SP) — Giolito (elbow) has been throwing at San Diego's team complex in Arizona and may be close to facing hitters, MLB.com reports.07/22
- 60-Day-ILNick Pivetta (SP) — Pivetta (forearm) exited Tuesday's rehab start with Single-A Lake Elsinore due to elbow tightness, but he threw in the bullpen after leaving the outing and felt fine, Bob Nightengale of USA Today reports.08/04
- 60-Day-ILJason Adam (RP) — The Padres transferred Adam (shoulder) to the 60-day injured list Monday.08/03
- 60-Day-ILJoe Musgrove (SP) — Musgrove (elbow) is slated to make a rehab appearance for Single-A Lake Elsinore on Tuesday.08/03
- 60-Day-ILRamon Laureano (LF) — Laureano underwent surgery Friday to repair his torn right labrum, Kevin Acee of The San Diego Union-Tribune reports.06/05
- 60-Day-ILBryan Hoeing (RP) — The Padres transferred Hoeing (elbow) from the 15-day injured list to the 60-day IL on Wednesday.05/08
That injury list is the story for San Diego. Musgrove, Pivetta, Giolito, Adam and Hoeing are all out, which is exactly why the front office went out and bought two starters instead of hoping for internal fixes. Houston's issues are more top-of-lineup than pitching staff: Correa is still working back from an ankle injury with real hope of returning before the season ends, and Matthews remains without a firm setback-free return date. Blanco, for his part, has been homer-prone since coming back, and a rotation ERA that's been among the league's worst puts extra pressure on him to keep the ball in the yard against a lineup that just got sneakier with two new arms of its own.