Injured Astros stars Jose Altuve and George Springer are close to returning to game action. Altuve’s on track to begin a rehab assignment this weekend, according to manager A.J. Hinch, and Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports Springer may do the same. Ditto for right-hander Collin McHugh. Meanwhile, catcher Max Stassi will begin a rehab assignment Thursday, per Rome (links: 1, 2).
The 29-year-old Altuve originally went to the IL on May 11 with a left hamstring strain – an injury which is no longer an issue. However, shortly after Altuve embarked on a rehab assignment May 25, the Astros shut him down following a setback in his surgically repaired right leg. The normally durable Altuve has now missed the Astros’ past 30 games, and he didn’t perform up to his usual standards before landing on the IL. Across 164 plate appearances, the six-time All-Star has slashed a still-solid .243/.329/.472 (117 wRC+) with nine home runs – though that pales in comparison to his output from 2014-18 – and has stolen just one base after swiping no fewer than 17 in any season since 2012.
Springer, also 29, put himself in the early season AL MVP conversation before suffering a Grade 2 left hamstring strain May 25. Prior to that injury, Springer hit .308/.389/.643 (172 wRC+) with 17 homers in 216 trips to the plate.
McHugh went to the IL with elbow discomfort May 21, continuing a brutal contract season for the normally effective hurler. After thriving out of the Astros’ bullpen in 2018, the 31-year-old McHugh began this season in their rotation and logged a 6.37 ERA/5.19 FIP in 41 innings, though he did post 9.22 K/9 against 3.07 BB/9. The Astros then shifted McHugh back to their bullpen, and he made two appearances in relief before going to the IL.
Perhaps Houston will give McHugh another crack at starting eventually, considering it hasn’t been able to establish a fifth starter behind Justin Verlander, Gerrit Cole, Wade Miley and Brad Peacock. McHugh’s immediate successor, Corbin Martin, was even worse before the team sent him back to Triple-A Round Rock on June 4. The Astros replaced Martin with Framber Valdez, who shut down the Orioles over seven innings in his first start June 8. He’ll take the ball again Saturday against Toronto.
The light-hitting, defensively adept Stassi has been out since May 26 with a left knee injury. The Astros called up prospect Garrett Stubbs to take Stassi’s spot, though starter Robinson Chirinos has gotten almost all of the work.
Even with their myriad injuries, including to franchise shortstop Carlos Correa, the Astros have continued to roll. At 46-23, they boast the majors’ top record. Of course, their already formidable roster will look far more imposing once their reinforcements return. That’s a frightening thought for the rest of the league.
This team will Spank the Yankees in the playoffs.
Maybe they will, maybe they won’t. That’s why they play the games. They might not even meet in the playoffs.
Yankees have to get through the one game wildcard…
Red Sox are 9 back in the loss column. Not impossible but a lot of games to make up.
But Tampa Bay is 1/2 a game back. Don’t know what Boston has to to with anything?
The St. Louis Blues were way back more this year and they wound up with Cup of Stanly
you wish
todd76 you never fail to disappoint your fellow trolls. What do the Yankees have to do with this article?, and shouldn’t you be more worried about the state of your Mets? The Yankees are living large in that head of yours, and perhaps it’s time you get some help.
The yankees aren’t relevant. Their starting pitching still isn’t nearly good enough. They keep building this team to win in the regular season and fail in the playoffs. Who knows what’s up with Severino but it’s tough to bank on him at a minimum right now. Paxton has never pitched many innings and there’s no reason to think he can be a reliable playoffs pitcher given lack of health, durability and experience. Sabathia is a 39 yo with a 6 FIP this season – not exactly playoffs material. Tanaka and Happ are both fine but neither is a guy you’re happy to give the ball to twice against Verlander/Cole or even Berrios/Odorizzi (though I will admit I don’t know if I believe in this nonsensical statistical output by him thus far). Obviously they play the games for a reason but when it comes to the starting pitching = which is where we all know playoff baseball begins and ends – the Yankees are simply outclassed.
Let’s just see what the Yankees pitching staff looks like after the deadline. Houston will be a concern, but if you think the Yanks are outclassed by the likes of Minnesota you’re daft. You might want to check the Yanks record against the Twins in Yankee stadium, because the Twins are the ones OUTCLASSED.
“The Yankees aren’t relevant” WTF are you on. What planet are you submitting this from? Who signs you in and out? You’ve just went past ignorant to a whole new stratosphere of ignorance.
Altuve still has 5 years at 29 mil a year.. his contract is almost as bad as cabrera. At least miggy gets singles. Altuve isn’t even on the field.
Altuve is 29. Miggy is 36. There will be few contracts that end up as bad as Miggy’s most recent extension.
I think the Orioles resent that remark!
“Altuve is 29. Miggy is 36” I know, Altuve is breaking down like a 35 year old did. When Miggy was 29 he was winning a triple crown.
He pulled a hamstring, let’s not overreact. I pulled mine was I was 11, so I guess I was breaking down then too…
Troll comments
Cabrera played 38 games last season. He hasn’t even had a WAR above 1 since 2016. Your comparison is terrible. Cabrera and Pujols is a much better example
Melchez, it’s not that bad but as much as I like Altuve I thought it was an overpay.
He plays a demanding position and will be on the wrong side of 30 for most of that contract. I fear a Pedroia like breakdown.
I hope I am wrong…..
There’s absolutely no reason to believe you are correct. The guy averages 150+ games per year. He was frankly due to have an injury. Most guys don’t make it their whole careers without a decent injury or two. It’s the nature of professional sports. They play 162 games. If I go to the gym 162 times I’m most likely getting hurt at some point – probably well before that 162 mark.
Pedroia’s breakdown was the result of that Manny play. It’s unfortunate and I don’t blame Manny for it at all, but that was a far more significant injury and as Pedroia was on the wrong side of 30 it just cascaded. Every player is one bad injury and some bad luck away from never being the same. So while surely Altuve could get hurt, there’s no reason at all to believe he will.
Do you guys think that Yordan will stay up (assuming he continues to perform) once all these guys come back off the IL?
Yep. White is going to get DFA’d soon. Tucker is the one hurt by then coming off the IL.
I am not a Tucker fan, but this does also suck for him. His play warrants a call-up, but unfortunately there is just not a spot on the roster for him unless they start playing Alvarez at 1B and platoon Tucker/Brantley in LF and DH.
The front office has stated repeatedly that Alvarez will not play 1st base at all. So it’s either LF or DH for him, which I could see him sticking at those but Kemp provides so much in speed and versatility even with the light hitting numbers. Straw should stick a few more weeks until Diaz comes back.
Thank you for the insight!