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Joe Smith Undergoes Surgery For Torn Achilles Tendon

By Jeff Todd | December 20, 2018 at 10:26am CDT

The Astros announced today that righty Joe Smith has undergone surgery for a ruptured Achilles tendon in his left leg. (H/t Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle, via Twitter.) It will sideline him for an estimated six-to-eight month stretch, putting a large chunk of his 2019 season in jeopardy.

Needless to say, that’s most unwelcome news for both player and team. Smith, 34, is said to have suffered the injury in a recent workout. The 34-year-old is slated to earn $8MM for the 2019 campaign, his second in Houston since signing a two-year deal last winter.

Smith, a crafty sidearmer who has held opposing right-handed batters to an anemic .215/.280/.311 batting line over his dozen MLB campaigns, would surely have been a part of the ’Stros pen again in 2019. Last year, he worked to a 3.74 ERA with 9.1 K/9 and 2.4 BB/9. He was tough to square up, as usual, but did allow nearly 1.4 homers per nine — about twice his career average.

Of course, it’s only fair to note that the organization will have a bevy of alternatives, particularly if it makes some rotation additions that bump other players into relief contention. Smith, in fact, was not much of a factor in the club’s postseason mix, cracking the roster but making just one appearance (which did not go well). Still, he’s a quality veteran performer and it always hurts to carry a salary commitment that doesn’t provide production. The Astros will have to hope that Smith is able to recover relatively quickly and provide a mid-season boost.

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26 Comments

  1. astrosfan4life

    7 years ago

    Well that stinks.

    Reply
  2. pinstripes17

    7 years ago

    Is this like what caused Britton´s injury last year? This sucks for the player and team, freak injury.

    Reply
    • joshua.barron1

      7 years ago

      Yup, exactly the same thing

      2
      Reply
    • a-a-a-astros

      6 years ago

      Ban sled pushes

      Reply
  3. hetrodox

    7 years ago

    The picture isn’t even Joe Smith. It’s Will Harris smh

    2
    Reply
    • Bart

      7 years ago

      In their defense, all baseball players look alike. 😉

      4
      Reply
    • bucketbrew35

      7 years ago

      Unless you can do better, take a chill pill. Mistakes happen.

      1
      Reply
      • antibelt

        7 years ago

        Usually, Todd only gets his Hispanics mixed up, now just everyone. Lol

        6
        Reply
  4. lovableschmuck

    7 years ago

    Well,at least it’s still early enough in the offseason to find and sign a decent FA replacement.

    Reply
  5. Mr_KLC

    7 years ago

    There’s $8 MM flushed down the toilet.

    3
    Reply
    • antibelt

      7 years ago

      Offseason injury may affect his salary.

      1
      Reply
      • NYMETSHEA

        7 years ago

        No, it won’t affect his salary.
        Not even arbitration player, but a veteran signed to 2 year contract (this upcoming season left).

        It may affect Astros financial burden should team have insurance on player (not always guaranteed).

        Since they know that he should miss at least a conservative estimated time, they can bump up free payroll space by percentage of his salary (representing injured non-active time on team) times percentage of payout by insurance, and known salary of 8 million

        1
        Reply
  6. jdgoat

    7 years ago

    Sucks to see. Hopefully he has a quick recovery and can come back mid season.

    1
    Reply
  7. astros_fan_84

    7 years ago

    Jeff Lunhow just called Britton’s agent.

    1
    Reply
  8. xabial

    7 years ago

    He suffered this brutal injury same manner as Britton did. (off-season workout)

    Do these guys workout like theyre in the Navy SEALS?!!

    2
    Reply
    • pinstripes17

      7 years ago

      on the exact same date too, just a year apart

      2
      Reply
    • Mikel Grady

      6 years ago

      Ha ha . Babe Ruth never missed a game

      2
      Reply
      • impapad17

        6 years ago

        Um, yeah, he did. The only season that Babe Ruth DID play in every game was 1928.

        Reply
  9. Vizionaire

    7 years ago

    hope for the speedy recovery. he was very good as an angel.

    Reply
  10. Lou4ever

    7 years ago

    Sucked when happened to waino few years back leaving batters box cost him a whole season. DH please !

    Reply
  11. Julio Franco's Birth Certificate

    7 years ago

    Cleveland still loves this guy. I’m sure the Tribe would trade for him in his injured state for a slightly used, but somewhat minimally capable Jason Kipnis. Luhnow, seriously pick up the phone.

    Reply
    • astrosfan4life

      7 years ago

      Smith for Kluber straight up.

      2
      Reply
    • lm1330

      6 years ago

      Nope, The Indians know when to let them go.

      Did the Astros just sign Brantley?

      Oops!

      Reply
  12. melj

    6 years ago

    Hope he gets well as soon as he can.

    Tough break.

    Reply
  13. GrandpaBaseball

    6 years ago

    Tough break for a good guy.

    Reply
  14. John Guzman

    6 years ago

    That is a shame it seems as if the older he got the better he pitched.

    Reply

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