The Astros announced catcher Martín Maldonado underwent surgery to repair a sports hernia yesterday. He’s expected to be ready for the start of Spring Training.
In the hours after Houston won the World Series, Ken Rosenthal of the Athletic reported the veteran backstop was likely to undergo hernia surgery. Rosenthal also reported that Maldonado fractured a bone in his throwing hand in August. He played through both injuries, and Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle tweets he’ll rehab that without going under the knife.
Maldonado was banged up late in the season, but that didn’t stop him from assuming the lion’s share of playing time behind the dish. Even after bringing in Christian Vázquez via trade, Houston turned to Maldonado as the primary catcher. He eventually topped 90 games on the season, triggering a $4.5MM vesting option in his contract for 2023.
The 36-year-old provides very little offensively, and that was the case again in 2022. Maldonado connected on a career-high 15 home runs but only mustered a .186/.248/.352 line over 379 plate appearances. He’s extraordinarily highly-regarded as a game-caller and leader of the pitching staff, though, and the Astros have proven willing to overlook Maldonado’s offensive shortcomings in recognition of his unquantifiable skills.
Houston could turn back to Maldonado as their primary catcher next year, although they’ve also been tied to possible upgrades. They’ve been linked to the top free agent backstop, Willson Contreras, in multiple reports through the offseason’s first week-plus.
Sports hernia and bone fracture? To play through both shows a committed athlete.
More than just commitment, that’s a thoroughbred champion through and through
That is a headline he won’t choose to save in his scrapbook.
Hoping for a quick recovery
Welp. Nobody can take this guys man card away from him. Played through ridiculous ailments and got the ring. Makes you wonder how long he’s had the injury and if they traded for Vas because they knew about it and we’re hedging their bet….
“They’ve been linked to the top free agent backstop, Willson Contreras, in multiple reports through the offseason’s first week-plus.”
Who’s linking them? His agent? I thought Crane blocked the trade for him this past trade deadline. Why would he sign him to a lucrative contract now? His defense hasn’t improved suddenly. You don’t lose Urquidy by signing him, but you still lose a pick. Just doesn’t seem like an Astros type move. I could be wrong.
I would think that midseason isn’t a great time to bring in a new potential starting catcher, especially for a winning team. They may look at him differently if they can get him for the off-season and spring training.
Except they went ahead and traded for a different catcher anyways. There was some reason why Crane didn’t like the trade for Contreras. Maybe it was the catcher, or maybe it was the cost going out the door.
Contreras would’ve cost considerably more than Vazquez.
It was a BS article put out by MLB.com by Heyman (?) claiming the Astros were courting Contreras recently. Another BS article put out by MLB.com quoted Rosenthal as claiming the Astros were “zeroing in on Rizzo”. It’s gonna be more sensationalism than facts this offseason.
The David Goggins of MLB.
Or perhaps Walton Goggins.
Great actor.
Maldy is a beast and I hope he’s back with Houston next year. Korey Lee may need some additional time at AAA, but he could serve as a backup next year.