Houston Astros non-roster invitee C.J. Stubbs left West Palm Beach, Florida, on Tuesday to join Team Israel in Miami for the World Baseball Classic, per Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle. Stubbs replaced his brother, Garrett, who suffered a knee injury in the first game.
Through his first nine Grapefruit League games, Stubbs slashed six hits in 12 at-bats, clubbing a game-tying, three-run home run — his only extra-base hit — on March 7. The righty also walked twice to a pair of strikeouts. Stubbs has reached base the most of any Astros player with at least 12 at-bats this spring.
In the field, he has appeared in five games behind the plate and in three games at first base, but his versatility doesn’t end there. Stubbs also played both the corner outfield positions last season in High-A Asheville and Double-A Corpus Christi. He started five games in left field for the Hooks.
Fellow Astros prospect Colton Gordon made his World Baseball Classic debut Monday night for Team Israel. Stubbs will become the third Houston farmhand to play in the tournament.
Luke Berryhill Returns
The Astros scratched non-roster invitee Luke Berryhill from the lineup Saturday for an undisclosed matter. The catcher said Monday he feels better and will see action Tuesday and Wednesday, as manager Dusty Baker penciled him into the lineup card for Tuesday’s contest against the Cardinals.
