Headlines

  • Mariners Option Jarred Kelenic, Claim Adrian Sampson
  • Kumar Rocker Signs With Frontier League’s Tri-City ValleyCats
  • Dodgers Place Clayton Kershaw On Injured List
  • Bryce Harper Has Tear In UCL, Won’t Throw For Four Weeks
  • Padres Sign Robinson Cano
  • Gerardo Parra Retires
  • Previous
  • Next
Register
Login
  • Hoops Rumors
  • Pro Football Rumors
  • Pro Hockey Rumors

MLB Trade Rumors

  • Home
  • Teams
    • AL East
      • Baltimore Orioles
      • Boston Red Sox
      • New York Yankees
      • Tampa Bay Rays
      • Toronto Blue Jays
    • AL Central
      • Chicago White Sox
      • Cleveland Guardians
      • Detroit Tigers
      • Kansas City Royals
      • Minnesota Twins
    • AL West
      • Houston Astros
      • Los Angeles Angels
      • Oakland Athletics
      • Seattle Mariners
      • Texas Rangers
    • NL East
      • Atlanta Braves
      • Miami Marlins
      • New York Mets
      • Philadelphia Phillies
      • Washington Nationals
    • NL Central
      • Chicago Cubs
      • Cincinnati Reds
      • Milwaukee Brewers
      • Pittsburgh Pirates
      • St. Louis Cardinals
    • NL West
      • Arizona Diamondbacks
      • Colorado Rockies
      • Los Angeles Dodgers
      • San Diego Padres
      • San Francisco Giants
  • About
    • MLB Trade Rumors
    • Tim Dierkes
    • Writing team
    • Advertise
    • Archives
  • Contact
  • Tools
    • 2021-22 MLB Free Agent Tracker
    • 2021-22 MLB Free Agent List
    • 2022-23 MLB Free Agent List
    • Top 50 Free Agents
    • Projected Arbitration Salaries For 2022
    • Transaction Tracker
    • Extension Tracker
    • Arbitration Tracker
    • Agency Database
  • NBA/NFL/NHL
    • Hoops Rumors
    • Pro Football Rumors
    • Pro Hockey Rumors
  • App
  • Chats
Go To Pro Hockey Rumors
Go To Hoops Rumors

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.

Share 0 Retweet 6 Send via email0

Houston Astros Newsstand Joe Smith

MLBTR Poll: Likeliest Landing Spot For Manny Machado
Main
Rangers, Derek Holland Discussing Possible Reunion
View Comments (26)

Comments

  1. astrosfan4life

    3 years ago

    Well that stinks.

    Reply
  2. pinstripes17

    3 years ago

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

    Reply
    • joshua.barron1

      3 years ago

      Yup, exactly the same thing

      Reply
    • a-a-a-astros

      3 years ago

      Ban sled pushes

      Reply
  3. hetrodox

    3 years ago

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

    Reply
    • Bart

      3 years ago

      In their defense, all baseball players look alike. 😉

      Reply
    • bucketbrew35

      3 years ago

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

      Reply
      • antibelt

        3 years ago

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

        Reply
  4. lovableschmuck

    3 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

    3 years ago

    There’s $8 MM flushed down the toilet.

    Reply
    • antibelt

      3 years ago

      Offseason injury may affect his salary.

      Reply
      • NYMETSHEA

        3 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

        Reply
  6. JDGoat

    3 years ago

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

    Reply
  7. Astros_fan_84

    3 years ago

    Jeff Lunhow just called Britton’s agent.

    Reply
  8. xabial

    3 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?!!

    Reply
    • pinstripes17

      3 years ago

      on the exact same date too, just a year apart

      Reply
    • Mikel Grady

      3 years ago

      Ha ha . Babe Ruth never missed a game

      Reply
      • impapad17

        3 years ago

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

        Reply
  9. Vizionaire

    3 years ago

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

    Reply
  10. Lou4ever

    3 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

    3 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

      3 years ago

      Smith for Kluber straight up.

      Reply
    • lm1330

      3 years ago

      Nope, The Indians know when to let them go.

      Did the Astros just sign Brantley?

      Oops!

      Reply
  12. melj

    3 years ago

    Hope he gets well as soon as he can.

    Tough break.

    Reply
  13. GrandpaBaseball

    3 years ago

    Tough break for a good guy.

    Reply
  14. John Guzman

    3 years ago

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

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Please login to leave a reply.
Log in Register

ad: 300x250_1_MLB

    Top Stories

    Mariners Option Jarred Kelenic, Claim Adrian Sampson

    Kumar Rocker Signs With Frontier League’s Tri-City ValleyCats

    Dodgers Place Clayton Kershaw On Injured List

    Bryce Harper Has Tear In UCL, Won’t Throw For Four Weeks

    Padres Sign Robinson Cano

    Gerardo Parra Retires

    Mariners Promote George Kirby, Place Ken Giles On 60-Day IL

    Diamondbacks To Promote Alek Thomas

    A’s Reinstate Ramon Laureano, Designate Jorge Juan

    Mets Release Robinson Cano

    Twins To Promote Royce Lewis

    Carlos Correa Diagnosed With Bruised Finger, May Avoid Injured List

    Miguel Sano To Undergo Surgery To Repair Torn Meniscus In Knee

    Twins Promote Jose Miranda

    Royals Promote MJ Melendez

    Recent

    Tigers To Place Austin Meadows, Victor Reyes On 10-Day IL

    Willy Adames Leaves Game Due To Right Ankle Sprain

    Cardinals Activate Adam Wainwright, Drew VerHagen

    Cubs Place Nico Hoerner On Injured List, Activate Andrelton Simmons

    Diamondbacks Reinstate Sean Poppen, Option Seth Beer

    Dodgers Select Shane Greene, Transfer Victor Gonzalez To 60-Day IL

    Mets Place Tylor Megill On Injured List, Select Colin Holderman

    Astros Option Niko Goodrum

    Marlins Place Jesus Luzardo On Injured List With Forearm Strain

    Rays Place Manuel Margot On Injured List

    MLBTR Newsletter - Hot stove highlights in your inbox, five days a week

    Latest Rumors & News

    Latest Rumors & News

    • Trevor Story Rumors
    • Frankie Montas Rumors
    • Michael Conforto Rumors
    • Arbitration Tracker
    Trade Rumors App for iOS and Android

    MLBTR Features

    MLBTR Features

    • Go Ad-Free
    • MLB Player Chats
    • 2021-22 MLB Free Agent Tracker
    • 2021-22 MLB Free Agent List
    • Top 50 Free Agents
    • 2022-23 MLB Free Agent List
    • Projected Arbitration Salaries For 2022
    • Transaction Tracker
    • Extension Tracker
    • Agency Database
    • MLBTR On Twitter
    • MLBTR On Facebook
    • Team Facebook Pages
    • How To Set Up Notifications For Breaking News
    • Hoops Rumors
    • Pro Football Rumors
    • Pro Hockey Rumors

    Rumors By Team

    • Angels Rumors
    • Astros Rumors
    • Athletics Rumors
    • Blue Jays Rumors
    • Braves Rumors
    • Brewers Rumors
    • Cardinals Rumors
    • Cubs Rumors
    • Diamondbacks Rumors
    • Dodgers Rumors
    • Giants Rumors
    • Guardians Rumors
    • Mariners Rumors
    • Marlins Rumors
    • Mets Rumors
    • Nationals Rumors
    • Orioles Rumors
    • Padres Rumors
    • Phillies Rumors
    • Pirates Rumors
    • Rangers Rumors
    • Rays Rumors
    • Red Sox Rumors
    • Reds Rumors
    • Rockies Rumors
    • Royals Rumors
    • Tigers Rumors
    • Twins Rumors
    • White Sox Rumors
    • Yankees Rumors

    ad: 160x600_MLB

    Navigation

    • Sitemap
    • Archives
    • Feeds by Team

    MLBTR INFO

    • Advertise
    • About
    • Commenting Policy
    • Privacy Policy

    Connect

    • Contact Us
    • Twitter
    • Facebook
    • RSS Feed

    MLB Trade Rumors is not affiliated with Major League Baseball, MLB or MLB.com

    hide arrowsFOX Sports Engage Network scroll to top
    Close

    Desktop Version | Switch To Mobile Version