Just when it seemed the Houston Astros were getting fully healthy and their full squad back together, more injury news hit the team. It’s almost becoming a cycle for Astros fans, with some players picking up new injuries. The Astros injured list changes nearly every day with the number of players still on it.
Astros Injury Woes Continue, But Still Bright Spots To See
Add veteran catcher Victor Caratini to the list. He moves to the 7-day concussion-injured list after taking two shots to the mask in the last few days. Cesar Salazar gets called up to the big league team as the corresponding move.
Additionally, starting catcher Yainer Diaz is now day-to-day with a hand injury that he suffered after getting hit by a Craig Kimbrel fastball while catching in Baltimore on Sunday.
It requires a few more days to recover, so Salazar was immediately brought in as a starter. He did a great job catching Framber Valdez, who went seven scoreless innings against the Rockies on Tuesday.
While the catcher position may be unstable for the next few days, good news continues to come in for the team.
Another Big-Time Astros Return Upcoming
Starting center fielder Jake Meyers began his rehab assignment with the Astros’ Triple-A affiliate Sugar Land Space Cowboys on Tuesday. Meyers recorded one hit in four at-bats and now looks to rebuild his timing after suffering a right calf strain on July 11.
Before getting hurt, the outfielder had been a great all-around player for the Astros as an elite defender and productive bat. Meyers carried a .308 average with a .774 OPS in 89 games this season. The 29-year-old Nebraska native hit three home runs and 21 RBIs along with 14 stolen bases.
His return, potentially in early September, comes at an opportune time to get ready before the postseason is here.
WATCH: Yordan goes deep
It was great news for Houston on Monday as designated hitter Yordan Alvarez was officially activated from the injured list and rejoined the lineup. On Tuesday, Alvarez hit his first home run since April with a bomb to straightaway center field, 421 feet.
Few hitters can crush a homer to that part of Daikin Park, but the big man has done it before, and did it again as he works back into form ahead of a crucial September.
Alvarez returned for the first time since May 2 after suffering a fractured right hand followed by inflammation. The three-time All-Star struggled to start the year with only a .210 average and three home runs, along with a .646 OPS in 100 at-bats. Alvarez had a great rehab stint with the Double-A Corpus Christi Hooks, hitting for a .467 average and 1.262 OPS in 15 plate appearances. While he didn’t homer, he collected seven hits and drove in four runs.
Sanchy Is Here
It’s been a welcome sight in Houston to see Jesus Sanchez finally arrive at the plate. Fans have seen his great defense and arm, but he went into a 0/27 slump. Sanchez has now broken out, hitting two home runs in his last five games. This includes a 439-foot blast, the second-longest by an Astro this season. The outfielder has gone 10/18 (.556 average) over that stretch with four RBI.
Main Photo Credits: William Purnell-Imagn Images
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