2:43PM: Meyers left the game due to left shoulder discomfort, the Astros announced.
2:23PM: An apparent injury to his left arm forced Astros center fielder Jake Meyers to depart in the bottom of the second inning of Game 4 of the ALDS series between the Astros and White Sox. Meyers collided with the outfield fence while trying to make a leaping catch of a Gavin Sheets home run, with Meyers’ left arm taking the brunt of the impact. The center fielder was in obvious discomfort but attempted to stay in the game, testing his arm on a few light throws before finally being replaced by Chas McCormick.
Should the Astros win today and clinch the series, no roster maneuvers will be needed to address Meyers’ situation until the ALCS. If the White Sox win Game 4 and force a Game 5, the Astros can only replace Meyers with another player for that decisive game if the Commissioner’s Office grants approval. In that scenario, Meyers would be ineligible to play in the ALCS but could return to the World Series, if healthy.
More will be known about Meyers’ condition after the game, though an injury absence would be a very unfortunate turn of events for both Meyers and the Astros on the heels of the 25-year-old’s solid rookie season. Originally a 13th-round pick for Houston in the 2017 draft, Meyers posted a 1.006 OPS over his first 304 plate appearances at the Triple-A level this season, leading to his first big league call-up.
After Myles Straw was dealt to the Indians at the trade deadline, Meyers and fellow rookie McCormick became Houston’s regular center field tandem, each delivering above-average offense and defense. Meyers hit .260/.323/.438 with six homers in 163 plate appearances, while posting a +4.9 UZR/150 and +3 Defensive Runs Saved over 293 1/3 innings in center field. Game 4 marked the third start of the series for Meyers, who had three singles and two RBI in his first seven trips to the plate in the postseason.
Should Meyers miss time, utilityman Marwin Gonzalez is probably Houston’s top choice to take his place on the ALDS or ALCS roster, as Gonzalez’s versatility at least gives the Astros some flexibility in determining how to juggle the lineup. McCormick likely becomes the top choice in center field with Jose Siri as the chief depth option, though the Astros could conceivably use Kyle Tucker as a center fielder in a pinch. Moving Tucker to center field would then open up room for Gonzalez or currently-rostered utilityman Aledmys Diaz to get into the lineup in some capacity.
Always hate to see someone get injured, especially in the playoffs.
It’s a shame. Young man getting his chance in playoffs, and playing pretty well too.
Thoughts and prayers for a speedy recovery.
Meyers looks like he’s okay. He made some throws before the team took him out and looked like he could have stayed in the game, they were just being safe. Hopefully he will be fine for the ALCS.
Too much buzzer?
Cute. A rangers fan?
Hate to see that.
Congrats Astros, for what ended up to be an easy series victory. What an embarrassment by the ChiSox. They looked like they had no business playing the Astros. They basically just rolled over when the Astros went up 5-1 today.
I actually would like the see the Astros win it all, so people can shut up about the Astros only winning the ’17 WS because they cheated (even though they were going to win it all anyway).
Classy. Rooting for that ChiSox team going forward. Great club
As an Astros fan I agree, Chicago has a ton of young talent.
Great to see LaRussa stagger out in the 8th. The umps gave him too much leeway and should never have issued warnings.
Well now he gets to sleep in late tomorrow and baby his hangover.
Thoughts and prayers or whatever..
The White Sox had a nice season but there’s definitely some work to be done in the off season. Hopefully they can come back stronger and better prepared next year. They just looked kinda tired and overmatched. I didn’t expect them to go very far but it would’ve been great to at least take this series. I’m glad they were able to avoid being swept lol.
Wow an ALCS of cheaters vs cheaters
Manfred should have no way no how had this matchup of this series
When will manfred get fired?
This is funny coming from a Yankees fan. Haha
Coming from a….. Yankees fan?
Deer antler spray