The Astros have been bitten hard by the injury bug. Composite Getty Image.
As Houston Astros fans wait to hear an update about the health of Jose Urquidy and Cristian Javier, we're left wondering why the team is so secretive about their injuries?
It's not as if there's some competitive advantage in withholding the information, like in football or hockey, when players can target the injured area and try to make it worse.
Typically, teams give reporters an update on what part of the body is injured, and/or when they expect them to return. This is certainly not the case with the Astros, you're lucky to hear something like, “arm discomfort.”
In the case of Jose Urquidy, we've seen reports that he's seeking a second opinion and Tommy John Surgery is on the table. But the Astros aren't yet willing to say his season may be over.
With Cristian Javier, we still don't have any concrete information on the injury, and we're approaching almost two weeks with no update.
So why the secrecy? And what will the loss of both Urquidy and Javier mean for the 2024 Astros if they are indeed done for the season?
Editor's note: Cristian Javier and Jose Urquidy will undergo elbow surgery.
RHP Cristian Javier and RHP José Urquidy scheduled to undergo elbow surgery. pic.twitter.com/l2j8NRGYoo
— Houston Astros (@astros) June 5, 2024
Plus, has the pitch clock and the enforcement of the “sticky stuff” caused an uptick in injuries? And if so, will MLB do anything about it?
Don't miss the video above as we break it all down!
Latest insider reports indicate second wave of Astros changes are imminent
Dec 16, 2024, 1:52 pm
Not long after the Astros pulled the trigger on trading Kyle Tucker, we started seeing reports about the club's interest in trading for Cardinals 3rd baseman Nolan Arenado.
The Athletic's Chandler Rome also reported that Arenado has a no-trade clause, and it's unclear if he would waive it to come to Houston. Earlier last week, a list of teams Arenado would reportedly waive his no-trade clause for circulated on the internet, and Houston was not on it.
The Astros are thought to still be in contention to re-sign Alex Bregman, but a trade for Arenado would kill any hope of a reunion with Breggy.
Also, one of the benefits of trading Tucker was using this as an opportunity to add to a depleted farm system. While Arenado is not expected to bring back a haul of coveted prospects, the Astros would be wise to avoid trading away any young talent for an aging player that's clearly regressing.
As Charlie Pallilo points out in the video below, a deep dive into Arenado's stats shows his numbers are frighteningly close to Jose Abreu's 2023 season. And we all know how that movie ended.
If the 'Stros are going to move on from Tucker and Bregman in the same offseason, it would be nice to give the fan base something exciting to look forward to. Such as signing a switch hitting power hitter like Anthony Santander to play left field.
If Houston goes into the season with an outfield consisting of Mauricio Dubon, Jake Meyers, and Chas McCormick, the infield better produce at a high level or this offense will struggle to score runs once again.
Which brings us to Framber Valdez. As it looks right now, the Astros are trying to reset while also planning to contend in a weak AL West. Would it be more wise to “rip off the band-aid” and deal Framber to speed up the rebuild?
Don't miss the video above as the guys from Stone Cold 'Stros address the latest trade reports, team building, and much more!
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