Houston Astros' Jed Lowrie hopes to appear in Friday's Opening Day game - MLB News
The Houston Astros will have their Opening Day game on Friday, April 06, against the Colorado Rockies. While the game, scheduled to be played at Minute Maid Park, has several big features, it is the team’s shortstop Jed Lowrie who remains hopeful he will be able to play the game.
Lowrie was afflicted by the sprained right thumb which barely let him play in any of the last few Cactus League games. As to what the Astros think about inducting him in the roster is something unclear because the team is weighing Brian Bixler’s name should Lowrie go to the disabled list.
But Thursday’s workout for Lowrie remained good. Finding it an encouraging sign, he said he felt good after the fielded grounders on the field that he had.
"I felt great today," he said. "It's another step in the right direction, so I'm encouraged. It's just one of those things that you just continue to go down that road and continue to progress."
As for Bixler’s coming and replacing him, the player said he did not want to count upon it. It, after all, depends on whether or not he is fit enough to represent the team in the games against the Rockies.
"I don't want to count it out," Lowrie said. "I want to wake [Friday] and see how it feels. They want to see me do a few things before they give it the OK and I'm in the same boat. I need to get into a few rounds of batting practice. Let's just take steps forward every day."
Thursday’s session practice session showed that the player might well be ready to go ahead. However, it will be the matter of complete fitness that counts at this point in time because neither Lowrie nor the team wants to take any risk.
It will become clearer with the passage of time as to how fit the player is to descend on the ball with the confidence necessary. Friday’s game, nonetheless, will be a great test for the Astros to see how prepared they are to face the much tougher teams in the league.
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