The Astros have been going without injured offensive cogs George Springer, Jose Altuve and Aledmys Diaz of late. All three are progressing in their recoveries, but they’ll each have to embark on minor league rehab assignments before returning to Houston’s lineup, Daniel Kramer of MLB.com reports.
Springer, who has played just one game since May 20, went on the IL on the 25th with a Grade 2 hamstring strain. Manager A.J. Hinch said then the outfielder would be out for “a while,” but Springer’s now making the most progress of this injured trio, according to the skipper. It remains unclear when Springer will be back, however.
Altuve, down since May 10 with left hamstring and right leg issues, just took batting practice in back-to-back days for the first time since suffering a setback May 28. Diaz, whom the Astros tabbed to replace Altuve at second base when the latter initially went to the shelf, suffered a left hamstring strain May 26. He fielded grounders for the first time Tuesday, per Kramer.
Even with the injury-forced absences of Springer, Altuve, Diaz and star shortstop Carlos Correa, among others, Houston owns the AL’s second-best record (42-20). With a potentially insurmountable 10-game lead over the Rangers in the AL West, the Astros aren’t under pressure to get any of their missing players back soon. As the club continue waiting for their wounded standouts to come back, it’ll keep relying on the likes of Jake Marisnick, Derek Fisher, Tony Kemp, Myles Straw and Jack Mayfield to hold down the fort. Aside from Mayfield, who’s off to a slow start in the first 23 plate appearances of his career, the group has done just that.
Just give the West to the Astros today.
As much as I believe that statement to be true, I despise seeing it with 100 games left. I mean in ‘04 (maybe ‘05) the Astros were 15 games under .500 and ended up making it to the NLCS (or WS if ‘05). But none of the other AL West teams are as talented as those Astros teams.
It was the WS in ’05 when they were 15 games under .500.
Because that’s how Astros fans like to win. Cheating and employing wifebeaters.
Being a fan of a laughingstock organization such as the Rangers has made you bitter.
Does the name Matt Bush ring a bell? Stop talking trash about Houston when your Rangers employed a similar athlete. We don’t live in a perfect world and i’m certain you have done something stupid or insensitive that you don’t want people knowing/talking about. So please shut up!
Ha ha ha! Always here on Houston posts! Bitter much! Keep your RF deep next time you are a strike away from winning a championship! If that moment EVER comes in your lifetime!
I think it’s fascinating that picking up Aledmys Diaz and Brantley is way better than picking up Bryce Harper and Machado.
I second that. We have both for far less AAV than either one of those “super stars.”
Jeff Luhnow & The Method have, so far, been too WAY above MY paygrade to ever (almost) criticize. Just amazing.
I will vehemently criticize their commitment to White. Who really cares if he gets claimed on waivers? He’s overweight and overmatched. I’d much rather give his ABs to Gattis.
What a shame. The doctors are going to have to amputate all those guys’ heads. Who would notice?
Myles Straw has yet to strikeout in his first 24 major league plate appearances. I wonder what the record is for most plate appearances to start a career without striking out?
I’d guess Joe Sewell
I’ll take Tony Gwynn for $2000 Alex.
Watching the Astros win using small ball, speed and defense has been fun. It’s a testament to their depth and the ability of the best manager in the game.
Small ball? They’re crushing the ball!
Yeah, getting on first, stealing second, and scoring on a single is what I would call small ball. They’ve been doing a lot of that the past couple weeks.
It’s a nice run.
It took 20+ ABs before Bregman starting hit when he first arrived, so Jack Mayfield should be getting close.
Super Jack <<<<<<Bregman