Astros outfielder Jake Marisnick suffered a fractured right thumb when sliding head-first into second base in last night’s game and will undergo surgery tomorrow, the team announced. He’ll require a six- to eight-week recovery, according to the Astros, which seems likely to put an end to his 2017 season even if Houston makes a deep playoff run.
[Related: Houston Astros depth chart]
The loss of Marisnick, 26, will put an end to what has in many ways been a breakout campaign for the fleet-footed outfielder. While Marisnick’s glovework in the outfield doesn’t rate as highly as it has in past seasons (+2 Defensive Runs Saved; -4 Ultimate Zone Rating), his .243/.319/.496 batting line and 16 home runs make the 2017 campaign far and way his most productive offensive year. Marisnick is still far too prone to strikeouts (34.7 percent), but his overall output has been markedly better than the league average on a rate basis (121 OPS+, 116 wRC+).
While he’s been slumping a bit lately and hasn’t been an everyday player for most of the season, his absence will thin out the Astros’ outfield mix. Derek Fisher, George Springer, Josh Reddick and Cameron Maybin figure to see the bulk of the playing time in the outfield moving forward. The loss of Marisnick makes Houston’s move to claim Maybin off waivers look all the more important, as his right-handed bat and considerably above-average speed give him a similar skill set that will help offset Marisnick’s absence.
Bummer. Jake was having a great year by his standards. Now, Fisher will most likely be on the playoff roster.
He’s having a great year by pretty much every players standard
Another clueless player sliding headfirst
I wouldn’t say clueless. They have a split second decision to analyze a throw and make a slide adjustment. It’s just something that happens in the game in the heat of the moment.
another clueless response from a clueless fan of a clueless organization. Injuries happen. Head first slides are common and I would say do not lead to anymore injuries than any other move in baseball. Slide feet first and you can roll an ankle. Walk or run over the base…. same thing.
No I’m pretty sure head first slides have been researched to find out they are the most dangerous. I don’t really have a problem with them though unless they are at first base
Agree especially going down the line. Most head first slides into first are from pickoff throws. Some players are wearing the oven mitt to reduce the risk after getting on base.