Astros third baseman Isaac Paredes left Saturday’s 7-6 loss to the Mariners with what was described as right hamstring discomfort. The injury occurred in the third inning, when Paredes hit a line drive off the left field wall that resulted in only a single, as he started limping partway down the first base base line.
Paredes is going from Seattle to Houston today to undergo testing, and a trip to the injured list seems inevitable. MLB.com’s Brian McTaggart reports that infielder/outfielder Shay Whitcomb and first baseman Jon Singleton are joining the Astros from Triple-A Sugar Land prior to today’s game, so the club is already arranging its next set of roster moves. Singleton isn’t on the 40-man roster, so another transaction is forthcoming apart from the shuffle of Paredes for Whitcomb.
This isn’t the first time Paredes has dealt with hamstring problems this season, as some soreness in his left hamstring forced him to miss three games last month but he was able to return none the worse for wear. This new injury “hurts more than the other one,” Paredes told the Houston Chronicle’s Matt Kawahara and other reporters, as he said “I just feel like it pulled as I started running and I couldn’t run anymore.”
While the Astros maintain a three-game lead in the AL West, the club has lost seven of its last eight games, as a mountain of injuries may be catching up to the roster. Assuming Paredes will indeed be sidelined, he’ll become the 16th different player on Houston’s IL, and the ninth position player. The long list of injuries includes arguably Houston’s three top hitters in Paredes, Yordan Alvarez, and Jeremy Pena.
Acquired from the Cubs as part of last winter’s blockbuster Kyle Tucker trade, Paredes has hit .259/.359/.470 with 19 homers over 409 plate appearances in his first season in Houston. Since his .362 wOBA significantly outpaces his .332 xwOBA, some good fortune has been involved in Paredes’ performance, and he isn’t making much hard contact. On the plus side, Paredes is making a lot of contact overall, and posting very strong strikeout and walk rates. It all added up to Paredes’ second straight All-Star nod, as he also made the Midsummer Classic last year when he was still a member of the Rays.
In short, Paredes is basically just about the last player the Astros could afford to lose, but it now looks like he’ll be out of action for (in a best-case scenario) at least the next 10 days. Any of Whitcomb, utilityman Mauricio Dubon, or rookie Brice Matthews could get time at third base with Paredes out, and if Dubon ends up getting the bulk of time at third base, Zack Short will probably take over at shortstop until Pena is able to return. Matthews has primarily played second base since making his MLB debut last week, and the keystone could remain his primary position if Jose Altuve is needed more in left field to help cover the Astros’ long list of outfield absences.
Some good news may be on the horizon, as Alvarez is with the team in Seattle and has started taking swings. Alvarez hasn’t played since May 2 due to what was initially described as right hand inflammation, though follow-up tests in late May revealed a slight fracture in the slugger’s right ring finger. He received two injections after a consultation with a hand specialist at the start of July, and while Alvarez’s IL stint has gone on much longer than expected, his return could be on the horizon.
Looks like Houston is hamstrung due to this injury.
Could say the Asterisks are tuckered out
Woo Hoo! It is time for the M’s to load up at the trade deadline, There will never be a better opportunity to win the division and go to the WS.. Ownership needs to open their checkbook and get it done today.
While I get the enthusiasm for your team’s chances, it’s pretty bad form to be cheering on a report of an injury to a player of an opposing team. After all, tomorrow could have a report of Cal Raleigh going down to injury.
Nothing screams Mariners fan like rooting for injuries on the other team as our only chance to win. So proud of our fan base. And it’s Houston who is the dirty team right???
That’s unsportsmanlike conduct there AlienBob. Mariners fans should be taking the high and realize that the AL West runs thru Houston until it doesn’t, and we haven’t earned anything yet. Many games to play and could likely be a three team race to the finish with Texas.
Cheering injuries what an awesome person you are
As a Rangers fan, this gives me some slight hope. However, I have him on my fantasy team, so that stinks.
This trade dead line is going to about who wants to overpay for Egunio Saurez the most.
No kidding. Astros, Brewers, Cubs, Dodgers, Mariners, Mets, Tigers, Yankees bidding for Suarez, McMahon and Arenado.
^And Blue Jays*
Unless the Dbacks decide not to sell.
I feel bad for his pain. That sucks.
And…
Go Mariners!
With the medical/training staff the organization employs I’m positive this will be misdiagnosed and turn into an 8 week absence. See Kyle Tucker last season, Yordan Alvarez this season.