BREAKING NEWS FROM PATRICK CREIGHTON
Sources: Astros CF George Springer’s injury worse than reported; thumb is “unstable"
Aug 24, 2018, 3:45 am
The Astros may be without George Springer for a while. Photo by Ron Schwane/Getty Images
Astros CF George Springer’s thumb injury is much more serious than the team has let on.
Sources on Thursday informed me that Springer has ligament damage in his thumb, and that his thumb is “unstable.” They also indicated that this injury would normally have a much longer recovery timetable - 6-8 weeks on the shorter end. It has only been three weeks since Springer suffered the initial injury.
Springer appeared to be in a significant amount of pain when he injured his thumb on a head first slide on August 5th. He then missed the next eight games on the DL.
Springer returned to the lineup without going on a rehab stint, which was unusual. Jose Altuve played one game at Triple-A Fresno to get his timing back before rejoining the lineup.
Springer came off the DL and returned to the lineup on Aug. 17, playing in three games. He went a combined 3-of-13 with one run and one RBI. He did not start on Aug. 20th vs Seattle, although manager AJ Hinch said he was available to pinch hit. Springer has not played the last three games.
Patrick Creighton hosts “Late Hits” on ESPN 97.5 Houston weeknights 7-9p, and “Straight Heat” on SB Nation Radio weekdays 4-7p CT. Follow him on Twitter: @PCreighton1
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José Soriano pitched 6 2/3 strong innings and Logan O'Hoppe hit a pair of two-run shots to end a long home run drought and help the Los Angeles Angels beat the Houston Astros 9-1 on Saturday night.
Soriano (5-5) struck out 10 and allowed one run on three hits and three walks. He has allowed just two runs in his last three starts covering 20 2/3 innings with 28 strikeouts. He hasn't allowed a home run since April 22 — a span of 11 starts.
O’Hoppe hit his 15th homer and first since May 22 in the third inning to give the Angels a 6-0 lead. The catcher capped the scoring with his second of the game in the seventh.
Jo Adell reached with a one-out infield single off Astros rookie Brandon Walter (0-1) in the second and Luis Rengifo followed with his fourth home run for a 2-0 lead.
Nolan Schanuel was hit by a pitch and Mike Trout singled and scored from first on a double by Taylor Ward for a 4-0 lead.
Jose Altuve walked and scored on a two-out single by Christian Walker in the fourth for the Astros, but the Angels answered in their half when Zach Neto doubled with two outs and scored on Schanuel's single for a 7-1 lead.
Walter allowed seven runs on nine hits in six innings in his fourth career start.
Key moment
The Angels never looked back after Rengifo homered in the second.
Key stat
Houston is 3-2 against the Angels this season and leads the overall series 133-85. That includes a 65-45 record at Angel Stadium.
Up next
Astros rookie RHP Ryan Gusto (4-3, 4.31 ERA) will start Sunday's rubber game against Angels RHP Kyle Hendricks (5-6, 4.79).