Astros place Dexter Fowler on DL with bad back
By Mike Marteny
Houston Astros outfielder Dexter Fowler has been battling back stiffness since Friday, and the Astros finally decided that he could use 15 days to fully recover. They placed him on the disabled list this afternoon retroactive to Friday the 27th. He will be eligible to return immediately following the All Star break.
21-year-old prospect Domingo Santana has been called up from Oklahoma City in the corresponding roster move. He is expected to be in uniform tonight, but no word yet on whether he or Alex Presley will take Fowler’s spot in center field.
Presley has started there since Friday.
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Santana was hitting .304 with 14 home runs, 52 RBI, and five steals for Oklahoma City.
Fowler has been solid this season, hitting .270 with six homers, six steals, 24 RBI, and 43 runs scored. However, he has not stolen a base since May 24th.
The opportunity is there for Santana if he can produce while Fowler is out. I have a hard time believing that the Astros would call him up if they weren’t going to give him a shot.
If he plays well, he should stick in the majors. Chris Carter, Marc Krauss, L.J. Hoes, and Robbie Grossman are all under the Mendoza line on the season. Alex Presley, while serviceable, does not provide much power or speed. This is about as open as the door for Santana will get in that crowded outfield.
The Astros also sent down SS Jonathan Villar and called up Kike Hernandez.
In another roster move, they called up LHP Kevin Chapman and designated Jerome Williams for assignment.