BREAKING NEWS FROM PATRICK CREIGHTON

Sources:  Astros CF George Springer’s injury worse than reported; thumb is “unstable"

Patrick Creighton
Aug 24, 2018, 2:45 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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Pitching woes continue for Houston

Astros daily report presented by APG&E: Twins 9, Astros 5

Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images

After a disappointing series in Arlington to wrap up their recent road trip, the Astros were back at home to start a three-game series with the Twins on Monday night. Here's how the series opener went:

Final Score: Twins 9, Astros 5

Record: 13-9, second in the AL West.

Winning pitcher: Jake Odorizzi (2-2).

Losing pitcher: Brad Peacock (2-1).

Star of the game: Josh Reddick had a great night at the plate in the loss on Monday night, going 3 for 4 including an RBI single which at the time had Houston within two runs of the Twins.

Notes: For the third straight game, the Astros could not get out of the first inning without letting the opposing team take a lead. Brad Peacock got out to a rough start, allowing two runs on two hits and two walks in the top of the first, putting Minnesota up 2-0 before Houston could get to the plate. Former Astro Jason Castro extended the lead to 3-0 with a leadoff solo home run in the top of the second. The Astros got a run back in the bottom of the fourth on an RBI single from Josh Reddick, and almost had another on a double by Tyler White, but the Twins were able to gun down Reddick at home plate to end the inning and keep it a two-run game at 3-1.

Peacock's three-run night was done after five innings, and Josh James took over in the top of the sixth, but he'd allow four runs to score to break the game open at 7-1 in favor of the Twins. Michael Brantley took one run back in the bottom of the inning, launching a solo home run to make it 7-2, then Houston was able to get two runners on in the bottom of the seventh to set up Carlos Correa for a huge three-run home run to make it a 7-5 game. Chris Devenski took over on the mound in the top of the eighth and would allow a two-out two-run home run to the Twins to put them back ahead by four runs at 9-5. The Astros would be unable to get any closer than that, getting no runs in the eighth or ninth to drop the first game of the series.

Up Next: Game two of the series will get underway at the same time on Tuesday night, with first pitch at 7:10 PM. Houston will send out Wade Miley (1-2, 3.32 ERA) who will go up against Michael Pineda (2-1, 5.30 ERA) for the Twins.

The Astros daily report is presented by APG&E.

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