Astros Call Up Shewmake, Javier to IL

0:00On April 21st, the Astros just called up infielder Braden Shoemaker to the active roster. He's taking the spot of Nick Allen, who's hitting the 10-day injured list with back spasms, retroactive to April 19th. To make room on the 40-man roster, they transferred pitcher Christian Javier to the 60-day injured list. Shoemakes at 28-year-old, they grabbed from the Yankees yesterday. He got outrided by New York back in February, so he wasn't on Houston's roster right away after the trade. Now he's here as a glove first guy, perfect for bench duty. Both Shoemake and Allen bring strong defense but light-hitting. Shoemakes batted poorly in the majors with a line around 118, and even at Triple A, he's below average offensively. Still, he's swiped 52 bags in 3-3 games there, barely getting caught, and he can play short, second, or third. With short stop Jeremy Peña on the injured list, the infield shuffled, Carlos Corea's at short, Isaac Parade's at third. Shoemake fits as a late game sub, or rest day fill-in, just like Allen was doing,

1:04but when guys heal up, Shoemakes out of options, so his spot might not last. Javier's shoulder strain from a week ago now keeps him out so early June, closing the door on a late May return. GM Dana Brown still eyes him, and Hunter Brown back around then, maybe via rehab starts. These moves keep the Astros flexible as they grind through injuries. I'm Cory with the story. That's your MLB News Today update, AI-powered and always on.