BREAKING NEWS FROM PATRICK CREIGHTON
Sources: Astros CF George Springer’s injury worse than reported; thumb is “unstable"
Aug 24, 2018, 3:45 am
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
Fresh off their 50th win of the season, the Houston Astros begin a three-game series in Colorado on Tuesday night, looking to stay hot against a Rockies team still searching for answers.
Houston enters the matchup atop the AL West with a 50–34 record, having won seven of its last 10 games. Though the Astros haven’t been as sharp on the road — just 18–20 away from home — their pitching and power-hitting combo continues to give opponents fits. Isaac Paredes leads the team with 17 home runs, and when Houston clears the fences multiple times in a game, the results speak for themselves: an 18–5 record when hitting two or more homers.
Victor Caratini has quietly chipped in during this recent stretch, going 8-for-33 with three home runs and eight RBIs over the last 10 games, helping make up for some offensive inconsistency. Houston’s team batting average over that span sits at just .225.
Left-hander Colton Gordon takes the mound Tuesday, carrying a 3-1 record and 3.98 ERA into his ninth start of the year. He’ll face a Colorado offense that’s scuffled all season, particularly at home. The Rockies have managed just eight wins in 40 games at Coors Field and are riding a 2–8 skid. Rookie righty Chase Dollander (2-8, 6.06 ERA) gets the start for Colorado as he looks to slow down a Houston team that has found different ways to win.
While Hunter Goodman and Mickey Moniak have provided some spark for the Rockies at the plate, the team has been outscored by 26 runs over the past 10 games and owns one of the league’s worst pitching staffs, a troubling combo against an Astros club that doesn’t need many openings to take control.
This will be the first meeting between the two teams this season. For Houston, it’s a chance to keep momentum rolling against the team with MLB’s worst record. For Colorado, it’s another test in a season full of them.
BETMGM SPORTSBOOK LINE: Astros -173, Rockies +144; over/under is 11 1/2 runs
Astros news
Shay Whitcomb has been recalled from Sugar Land to take Pena's place on the roster.
We have made the following roster moves: pic.twitter.com/a6oeV62gcP
— Houston Astros (@astros) July 1, 2025
Here's a preview of the Astros lineup for Game 1.
So what stands out? With Peña unavailable, manager Joe Espada is once again using Paredes to leadoff, followed by Jake Meyers in the two-spot. Caratini is hitting fifth and will serve as the DH. He's followed by Yainer Diaz and Christian Walker. Cooper Hummel will hit eighth and play left field, as Jose Altuve is playing second base. Mauricio Dubon will hit ninth and fill in for Peña at shortstop.
Image via: MLB.com/Screenshot.
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