The Astros had to make a sudden change in their rotation as veteran ace Justin Verlander was scratched from his start against the Tigers due to discomfort in his neck. Spencer Arrighetti filled in but struggled, giving up seven runs in just over an inning before being pulled from the game. Verlander mentioned that his neck has been bothering him for a couple of weeks, but he tried to pitch through it. Although he and manager Joe Espada don’t think he will need to go on the injured list, the Astros will need to monitor his situation closely, especially with other pitchers like Jose Urquidy and Cristian Javier out for the season.
The Astros’ pitching depth is already stretched thin with Luis Garcia and Lance McCullers Jr. also on the injured list. Both are not expected back until after the All-Star break, leaving the team with limited options behind their current rotation. Eric Lauer, currently pitching in Triple-A, might be the best non-roster depth option for the Astros, despite his struggles in the past.
On the offensive side, outfielder Kyle Tucker has been dealing with a right shin contusion that landed him on the injured list. While he is no longer using crutches, the soreness has not completely gone away, and he is still walking with a limp. Manager Joe Espada mentioned that Tucker may need a minor league rehab assignment before returning to the team if he is unable to start running soon.
Tucker’s absence has been felt by the Astros, as he was having a stellar season before his injury. In 60 games, Tucker had an impressive .266/.395/.584 slash line with 19 home runs and 10 stolen bases, putting up a 176 wRC+. His production will be missed, but Trey Cabbage and Chas McCormick have been stepping up in his absence.
Overall, the Astros are facing challenges with injuries to key players like Verlander and Tucker, but they are trying to navigate through the adversity with the hope of having a healthy roster in the near future. Additional updates on the players’ progress and potential return dates will be crucial for the team as they continue to compete in the season.
