The Houston Astros recalled outfielder Zach Cole, their No. 9 prospect, from the minors ahead of Monday's series opener against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Daikin Park. Cole batted eighth and played left field against Yoshinobu Yamamoto. Astros manager Joe Espada said Cole will bring power and speed to the lineup.
HOUSTON -- The Astros brought up Zach Cole from Triple-A Sugar Land prior to Monday’s game against the two-time defending World Series champion Dodgers. Facing a tough matchup with right-hander Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Cole started in left field and hit eighth in the order. He is expected to remain in the lineup Tuesday against Shohei Ohtani, according to team plans mentioned by manager Joe Espada. “If he’s here, he’s going to play, right?” Espada said. “Just provide some energy to our lineup -- the power, the speed, the elements of having an impact on the game on both sides of the ball. We need some of that in the bottom of our order and try to get some people on base for the top of our order.”Cole made a strong impression in his MLB debut last September 12 in Atlanta, homering in his first plate appearance and slashing .255/.327/.553 with four homers in 15 games, though he struck out 20 times in 52 plate appearances. He did not make the Opening Day roster and was sent to Triple-A to improve contact. An early-season injury—a broken pinkie toe from a hit-by-pitch—sidelined him for about a month, limiting him to 29 at-bats total.After rehabbing in Florida and Single-A Fayetteville, where he went 5-for-20 with a homer, five walks and six strikeouts in six games, Cole got the call-up. “Frustrating, of course,” he said of the injury and demotion. “I’m still just continuing to work on some of the feels I want to get for the season, but it’s time to strap it on and go win a game tonight.” He has adjusted his swing mechanics, moving his hands back to time swings better and reduce misses.Cole views facing elite pitchers like Yamamoto and Ohtani as a privilege. “That's how you have to look at it because, I mean, they're just players,” he said. “I'm just a player, we're on the same field and it's an opportunity for me to see where I'm at, showcase my abilities, and try to help this team win games.”
