George Springer leads the American League with 17 home runs, but the Houston Astros will have to play indefinitely without their slugger in the lineup after sending the AL HR leader on the IL with a hamstring injury.
Springer, 29, also leads the AL with 43 RBI. He was hitting .308 and slugging .643 went the Astros centerfielder sent him on the IL on Saturday with a grade 2 hamstring sprain.
“Hopefully, if the initial diagnosis is right, we avoided the catastrophe,” said Astros manager AJ Hinch.
He injured his hamstring while trying to catch a foul ball against the Red Sox. After an awkward slide, Springer came up hobbling.
AL HR LEADERS:
George Springer (HOU) 17
Gary Sanchez (NYY) 15
Eddie Rosario (MIN) 15
Joey Gallo (TEX) 15
Alex Bregman (HOU) 15
Springer’s teammate, Alex Bergman, is currently in a four-way tie for the second-most homers in the AL with 15. Bregman is tied with NY Yankees catcher Gary “Kraken” Sanchez, Twins outfielder Eddie Rosario and left fielder Joey Gallo from the Rangers.
Sanchez was one of the 17 members of the Yankees to spend time on the IL. He returned from a ten-day stint on the IL and has been on fire ever since.
Gone for 30?
Manager AJ Hinch thinks Springer’s stint will be more than ten days, but hopes it’s less than a month.
“Our doctors have told us that he’s injured, but it’s not as dramatic as we have feared,” said Hinch. “He’s going to be out a little while, and he’s going to exceed the 10 days, but they were encouraged by their findings and observations. He’s really sore. He’s not going to do anything for the foreseeable future.”
Just when the Astros were about to get second baseman Jose Altuve back from the IL, their hottest hitter injured his hammy. Altuve has not played since May 11 when he also injured his hamstring.
Springer had been nursing a sore back the last week or so. He missed four games with a stiff back last week. With his back issue behind him, Springer returned to the lineup on Friday. However, he injured himself toward the end of the game.
“Yeah, it sucks, to be honest,” said Springer. “It’s hard, but I’ll make it through, and just gotta support the team the best way that I can.”
The Houston Astros (35-18) are one of the top teams in the American League and almost impossible to beat at home in Houston. According to the South Point Casino and Sports Book in Las Vegas, the Astros are the favorite to win the 2019 World Series. The Astros improved to 4/1 odds.
Meanwhile, the LA Dodgers and Chicago Cubs are also favorites to win the World Series.