The Houston Astros faced a tough night on Friday with not one, but two injury concerns shaking up the team.
First, they announced before the game that Isaac Paredes would not be playing due to an injury. Paredes has been the Astros’ most reliable hitter this season, with a batting average of .255, 15 home runs, and 42 RBIs. Naturally, losing him, even temporarily, is a big blow to their offence.
Then, during the game, outfielder Jacob Melton had to leave after hurting his ankle. After the game, manager Joe Espada shared updates via reporter Brian McTaggart. He explained that Paredes is dealing with a left hamstring issue, but thankfully, it’s not serious. The team expects he’ll only be sidelined for a few days and won’t need to be placed on the injured list.
Melton’s situation is more uncertain. He has what Espada described as a “pretty good” sprain in his right ankle. That means the injury could be fairly significant, but the full picture won’t be clear until test results come back. While Melton isn’t a key bat like Paredes, he’s still an important depth player, and the Astros will need to figure out how to fill his spot if he misses time. His injury might also speed up any front office plans to improve that position.
There’s a bit of good news on the horizon, though. Outfielder Chas McCormick, who’s been out with an oblique injury since late May, took an encouraging step by swinging a bat again on Friday. While it’s still early in his recovery, the team is hoping he’ll be back sometime in July, which could help cover for the current gaps in the roster.