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Astros rumors: Derek Fisher is set to join the team in San Francisco
By Eric Huysman
It seems that Derek Fisher is set to join the team due to George Springer’s thumb injury.
With the injury to George Springer, the Houston Astros are reportedly recalling Derek Fisher. With Springer returning to Houston, the writing was on the wall that they needed another outfielder. Robert Murray was the first to report the Fisher news. With him joining the Astros, it creates a very left-handed outfield situation. Jake Marisnick will most likely be the primary center fielder as the only pure right-handed hitter option.
This lineup without Springer, Jose Altuve, and Carlos Correa will be very susceptible versus left-handed pitchers. Tony Kemp has got many starts versus left-handed pitching, but he only has a .593 OPS versus his .883 OPS versus righties. All stats are from Baseball-Reference. Josh Reddick has been great versus lefties this year with a .915 OPS versus his .666 OPS versus righties.
Marwin Gonzalez could play in the outfield once Correa returns hopefully versus the Mariners this weekend. To replace Springer, the two logical choices were Fisher and Kyle Tucker, but they rather the latter play every day over being a part-time player in Houston. With the Athletics getting closer to the Astros, they need their best options in the lineup. Fisher was that choice, for now. Hopefully, he gets a chance to show his talent.
In the wake of George Springer’s thumb injury, outfielder Derek Fisher is being called up by the #Astros, league sources tell The Athletic.
— Robert Murray (@ByRobertMurray) August 6, 2018
A look at Fisher.
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Fisher was not off to a great start this year, only batting .176 with a .641 OPS. He did connect on four homers while driving in 11 runs, but he went on the DL after only 74 at-bats. If Fisher is coming up, he’s performed well at Triple-A batting .259 with an OPS of .860. He hit ten homers with 32 RBI while stealing 11 bases. You would think he would have more steals than that. Hopefully, he can add to the offense in Houston.
In 11 MLB at-bats this year, Fisher had four hits for a .364 batting average versus left-handed pitchers. That is a limited sample size, but he also had a 1.165 OPS as well. Has he continued this in the minor leagues? In Triple-A, Fisher has a .261 batting average with a .807 OPS versus lefties. He could get the starts over Kemp versus left-handed pitchers.
Next. Astros: A look at the candidates to replace George Springer. dark
The Astros will be without the core three hitters for at-least a few days. We now wait for the official announcement and diagnosis of Springer. This will be interesting. Who knows, the could be preparing to activate Correa, but I think they will be patient.
Springer update: Astros plan to place George Springer on the 10-day DL today and recall Derek Fisher. Springer has a left thumb sprain. It is not a UCL sprain, which would have been worse. They expect him to miss about two weeks.
— Brian McTaggart (@brianmctaggart) August 6, 2018
Updated: According to Brian McTaggart, Fisher was called up to the Astros. Springer will miss about two weeks with a sprained thumb. Thanks for the good news.