Astros: A look at the candidates to replace George Springer

Some players the Astros could call on with George Springer heading to Houston for further evaluation.

After I wrote the article last night about George Springer‘s injury, several pictures popped up of him at the airport heading to Houston. This has not been confirmed, but Chandler Rome did say that more evaluation is underway after the negative results. The X-Rays can only see the bones, while other tests could look at the ligaments and other soft tissue. Springer could be going to have the Astros doctors look at his thumb.

When a player is day to day, they typically stay with the team. If Springer is indeed heading back to Houston, he will be there with Lance McCullers and Jose Altuve. All three players will get their injuries looked at, and all we can do is hope for the best. With the Astros needing to play two games versus the Giants on Monday and Tuesday, will they put Springer on the DL?

Two players on the 40-man roster.

It would seem like the answer is yes, but I typically like to wait for the official announcement. With that speculation, who could replace Springer on the roster? There are two outfielders on the 40-man roster in Derek Fisher and Kyle Tucker. Tucker would be the most likely candidate to come up, both Tucker and Fisher bat left-handed. Tucker is batting .303 with 14 homers and 68 RBI while Fisher is batting .259 with ten homers and 32 RBI via Baseball-Reference.

While neither one has really taken off in the big leagues yet, Fisher does have more experience. Regarding upside, Tucker has it, but it seemed like AJ Hinch was a little gun shy in letting him play. With the Astros, Tucker is batting .156 with three RBI and a stolen base. Despite striking out three times in last night’s game with the Fresno Grizzlies, Tucker has hit well since his return. Fisher has been with the Grizzlies for 54 games now.

Other options.

Yordan Alvarez and Myles Straw could use a little more time to master Triple-A pitching. They also are not on the 40-man roster, which currently sits at 38. These two dark horse candidates would be exciting, but not sure they will get their arbitration clock going this early.

Correa could return to the lineup, but that wouldn’t help in the outfield. Marwin Gonzalez could play more in left field if Correa returns, but I think the Astros will be patient with him. Let him play at least 2-3 games with the Hooks and returning for the weekend series versus the Mariners.

You can’t replace a player like Springer. Since he made his debut, he has been the heart and soul of this team. This is a nerve-wracking time waiting to hear the diagnosis of McCullers and Springer. If I had to guess, I would think that Tucker is on his way to San Fransisco. Springer is too vital to this team to take any chances on his health.

According to Robert Murray, Fisher is coming up.