Houston Astros Injury Update

The Astros have not been bitten by the injury bug as badly as some other teams this season. But in the month of June the team doctors and trainers saw a spike in their workload. A number of pitchers and position players landed on the disabled list in June, including Bud Norris and Carlos Lee.

El Caballo was the first player to suffer an injury this month, spending the first 15 days on the D.L. with a strained hamstring. Brett Wallace filled in nicely in Lee’s absence and Carlos has continued to produce since returning two weeks ago. Norris missed a couple of turns in the rotation with a sprained knee and a hip flexor. He returned yesterday but with mixed results. Norris is now 5-5 after getting off to a 5-1 start this season.

Infielders

Jose Altuve has missed several games with a hamstring strain and hopes to return to action Sunday in Chicago. Marwin Gonzalez is currently on a minor league rehab assignment after suffering a bruised heel earlier this month.

Outfielders

Last week Justin Maxwell went on the D.L. after undergoing an arthroscopic procedure to remove loose bodies in his ankle. Maxwell is expected to miss four to six weeks with the injury. Fernando Martinez suffered a concussion shortly after being called up from Oklahoma City and was placed on the D.L. Martinez has since been activated and optioned back to AAA. Travis Buck is recovered from Achilles tendinitis and has been sent to AAA after clearing waivers.

Pitchers

Reliever Wilton Lopez was placed on the D.L. June 12 with what the team is calling a sprained right elbow. The Astros are hopeful that Lopez can return to action after the All-Star break.

Starter Kyle Weiland underwent shoulder surgery back in April and is progressing in his rehab. Weiland has experienced some brief setbacks and it could be a long process. I wouldn’t expect to see Kyle back in an Astros uniform before late August.

Lefthander Sergio Escalona had Tommy John surgery during Spring Training and is hoping to be ready for Opening Day 2013.