Injuries have continued to be a big storyline for the 2020 MLB season. The Houston Astros in particular were ravaged by injuries, especially in the pitching staff. For the longest time, it felt like every time a player returned from the Injured List, another player replaced him. Unfortunately, that trend has continued. Once again, when something positive happens, there is some negative news that comes with it. The Astros injury report had some names taken off, but it just gained one big name.
Bad News
Leading off with the bad news, 2B Jose Altuve sprained his right knee and is going to the Injured List. The 30-year-old was removed from Thursday’s game and did not play in Friday’s game. Altuve will miss the rest of the weekend series against the Los Angeles Angels. The team is also losing him right before their big five-game series against the Oakland Athletics, which starts September 7. Altuve had a slash line of .224/ .284/ .322 before the injury.
There is more bad news, this time on the pitching front: Justin Verlander isn’t progressing as fast as he would like. The 37-year-old has been throwing but has yet to begin mound work. With only about three weeks of the season left, the clock is ticking on Verlander’s hopeful return. The Astros ace was placed on the Injured List after just one start due to a forearm strain. Luckily, there is much more good news than bad news.
Good News
Now that the bad news is out of the way, it’s time for the good news. The biggest news is that superstar 3B Alex Bregman could return during this road trip. His hamstring has responded well to the running, fielding, and batting he has done, and Bregman has said he is 100% healthy. Bregman has been out since August 20 due to a strained hamstring.
There were a few returns during the last homestand. Veteran reliever Chris Devenski and utility-man Aledmys Diaz both returned earlier in the week. Going into Saturday, Devenski has not yet pitched since being activated. Diaz has been in the starting lineup while Altuve has been on the mend. Diaz is 2 for 12 with a home run and three RBI since returning.
After a long wait, Jose Urquidy will finally make his season debut in the second game of Saturday’s doubleheader. The young pitcher missed summer camp due to a positive coronavirus test. During his recovery, he did not have access to a throwing program. Urquidy had to build up his arm as the season was progressing. His road to the 2020 season was not ideal, but the 25-year-old has finally arrived.
Finally, veteran reliever Brad Peacock is being activated sometime during the current road trip. Peacock has not pitched yet this year due to a shoulder injury. The Astros bullpen was mostly devoid of veterans, but there are finally some experienced reinforcements on the way.
The Astros injury report is losing names, and the numerous returning players couldn’t come at a better time. Entering Saturday they have three games against the Angels and five games against the A’s. The Astros are just two games behind the division-leading A’s, within perfect striking distance.
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