Four things to consider about Altuve's broken thumb.
On Sunday, Team USA advanced in the World Baseball Classic getting contributions from Astros Kyle Tucker and Ryan Pressly. They also, inadvertently, affected the Astros season when relief pitcher Daniel Bard hit second baseman Jose Altuve, who was playing for Team Venezuela, in the hand and broke his thumb. According to reports from the Astros, the injury will require surgery and sideline the team's All Star indefinitely.
It's a huge blow to an Astros team trying to repeat after winning their second world championship in the fall. They are already dealing with injures to Lance McCullers , Michael Brantley and Yordan Alvarez . Fortunately, Alvarez appears poised to return in time for opening day and Brantley should be back within a couple weeks of the start of the season. McCullers could also return by mid-May.
But, Altuve is the engine that drives this team, one of its bona fide super stars. Here are four thoughts on his injury.Altuve being injured at ANY point during the year is bad, but wouldn't you rather this happen now, still two weeks from Opening Day, than in the middle of the stretch run for the playoffs? Rehab time for surgically repaired thumbs reportedly is around two months. That puts his return in June, still a LONG way from the playoffs and plenty of time for him to round into form.
Peña, Hensley, Bregman might be the team's best option until Brantley returns, then pushing Hensley down to the seven spot. That preserves the middle of the order and gets Peña back up to the top of the lineup where many believe he belongs. The issue will be getting on base. Peña will have to demonstrate he can wait on pitches, put the ball in play and not strike out as much as he did in his rookie campaign.
The World Baseball Classic has been great for baseball. The players love it. And if you have watched the games, the energy level is off the charts. Injuries that have happened including Altuve's are unfortunate, but Carlos Correa proved they can literally happen anywhere . This has little to do with the WBC., it has been defined as the free, independent voice of Houston, and we'd like to keep it that way.
Australia Latest News, Australia Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Four questions the Astros must answer with Jose Altuve sidelinedWith the season starting in less than two weeks, Dusty Baker likely faces at least two...
Read more »
Astros' Jose Altuve hit by pitch, exits World Baseball Classic gameJose Altuve exited Team Venezuela’s World Baseball Classic game against the United...
Read more »
Astros’ Jose Altuve to undergo right thumb surgery following wild pitch during World Baseball ClassicBREAKING UPDATE: Houston Astros second baseman Jose Altuve will undergo surgery on his right thumb following his injury during the World Baseball Classic Saturday evening.
Read more »
Astros' Jose Altuve to undergo surgery for fractured right thumbSunday's diagnosis is expected to sideline the Houston superstar second baseman indefinitely.
Read more »
Astros' Jose Altuve sidelined indefinitely with thumb fracture after World Baseball Classic hitJose Altuve exited Team Venezuela's loss to Team USA in the fifth inning after being drilled by a 96 mph fastball by Colorado Rockies relief pitcher Daniel Bard.
Read more »
Astros star Jose Altuve hit-by-pitch in World Baseball Classic, leaves game with fractured thumbJose Altuve left Venezuela’s 9-7 quarterfinal loss to the United States on Saturday night with a fractured right thumb after getting hit by a pitch in another injury setback at the World Baseball Classic.
Read more »