Siri fractures finger; ALDS hopes in question

HOUSTON -- Astros right fielder Jose Siri suffered a small fracture of his right pinkie finger while sliding into third base in the first inning of Friday’s game, manager Dusty Baker said Saturday. Baker didn’t say how long Siri would be sidelined, but it’s hard to imagine he would be available for the American League Division Series, which begins Thursday.

“He’s being further evaluated to see what he can do and if he can do it,” Baker said.

Siri, who’s competing for a spot on the playoff roster as a backup outfielder, led off the first inning with a triple and injured his finger while sliding head-first into third base. Siri, backup infielder Marwin Gonzalez and catcher Garrett Stubbs were likely competing for two spots as reserves on the ALDS roster.

“He’s in a pretty good frame of mind, but I’m sure it’s weighing on him,” Baker said. “He was continuing to impress us, but we just have to determine what his future will be.”

Siri, who was signed as a Minor League free agent in the offseason, hit .304 with four homers and nine RBIs in 21 games for the Astros after batting .318 with 16 homers, 72 RBIs, 24 stolen bases and a .921 OPS in 94 games for Triple-A Sugar Land.

Greinke may pitch Sunday
Veteran right-hander Zack Greinke, who’s on the injured list with a sore neck, could get back on the mound in Sunday’s regular-season finale, Baker said. The skipper said Greinke’s availability would depend on how he felt after throwing off flat ground on Saturday.

Greinke hasn’t pitched since throwing four innings on Sept. 19. Baker said earlier this week it’s a “distinct possibility” that Greinke pitches out of the bullpen in the playoffs, instead of being a part of the rotation. When asked if Greinke could start Sunday’s game, Baker wouldn’t say. José Urquidy is listed as the starter for Sunday.

“It’s important what we see and what he feels himself,” Baker said. “What he feels himself is more important than what we see or we feel. Nobody knows himself better than him.”

Greinke, 37, threw his second bullpen session Tuesday since landing on the injured list and then threw 34 pitches in a rehab outing on Thursday for Triple-A Sugar Land. He spent 10 days on the COVID-19 IL earlier this month and had made two starts since returning.

Greinke is 0-2 with a 12.46 ERA in his last three starts, allowing 18 earned runs and five homers in 13 innings. Since throwing 92 pitches in six innings on Aug. 23 against the Royals, Greinke has thrown 76, 75 and 68 pitches in his last three starts.

Báez’s season over
Veteran right-hander Pedro Báez, who was signed by the Astros to a two-year deal in January, won’t pitch for the Astros in the playoffs, Baker said. Báez missed the first four months with a COVID-19 diagnosis and was placed on the 10-day injured list on April 10 with right shoulder soreness. He appeared in only four games after being activated on Aug. 10, working 4 1/3 innings.