Injuries Mounting Up For Astros

For a team coming off a 2011 season that saw the franchise’s worst record in their 50 years of existence, this year hasn’t been much easier. When we hit, we can’t pitch and when we pitch, we can’t hit. Well the bad news train kept on rolling this past week. Earlier in the week, we were informed that Kyle Weiland has been moved from the 15 day DL to the 60 day DL after undergoing shoulder surgery. Just yesterday we were informed that Jason Castro and Jed Lowrie were being put on the 15 day DL with injuries to their knee and ankle/knee respectively.

Kyle Weiland and Jed Lowrie were both acquired from the Red Sox in the offseason trade that sent Mark Melancon, the Astros closer for the 2011 season, to Boston. They are now both on the DL with what could be season ending injuries, especially in Weiland’s case. We have likely seen the last of Kyle Weiland this year, so hopefully he can rehab and come back strong for the Astros inaugural season in the AL next year. Lowrie’s injury is somewhat of a mystery. As nasty as it was to watch, it seemed like a no-brainer as a season ending injury. He has officially been diagnosed with a sprained ankle and a nerve issue in his leg. The latter of which is cause for concern as it is somewhat of a rare type of injury. I believe the 4-6 week timetable is also just a guess by the Astros as these injuries are not common. I’m sure we will be hearing more of his injury in the next few weeks.

Finally we get to Jason Castro. Castro as you all know was the tenth pick in the 2008 MLB Draft. He was the unofficial “fresh start” of the Ed Wade – Bobby Heck era. His minor league career was very brief and very productive, however, his major league career has been full of injuries. Having already had right knee (torn ACL that was surgically repaired) and lower leg injuries, he is once again hampered by his right knee. The Astros called it only a meniscus injury and did not divulge the direct diagnosis or extent of the injury. He was placed on the 15 day DL. Castro had a horrible April-May but since June 1, he has really been hitting the ball well. The injury comes at a bad time for him as he was having his first healthy season in the majors. Astros GM, Jeff Luhnow was quoted as saying:

"“We’re still hopeful it’s going to be a short-term situation and he can come back when he’s eligible and shortly after. We’ll know more in the next couple of days.”"

Luhnow’s comments suggest that they are still hopeful his season can be salvaged. We may very well have three season ending injuries with Weiland, Lowrie and Castro. We should know more  in the coming weeks.