Astros: Alex Bregman joins star studded Injured List

Alex Bregman joins a host of star players on the Houston Astros Injured List.

If you’re looking to build a team consisting of players not currently on active rosters, the Houston Astros Injured List would be a good place to start. The team placed third baseman Alex Bregman on the IL with a hamstring issue following his injury on Wednesday, and reliever Josh James seems likely to join him after leaving Thursday’s game with a hip injury. There’s talent for the picking here.

On the pitching side, the Astros have last year’s AL Cy Young Award winner and a future Hall of Famer in Justin Verlander, last year’s league leader in saves in Roberto Osuna, and a former All-Star in Chris Devenski. Now throw in James and his upper 90s fastball and you have some quality arms.

If it’s youth and upside you’re looking for, don’t forget about top prospect Forrest Whitley, who isn’t really on the IL since he’s not on the active roster, but he’s hurt nonetheless. Youngsters Rogelio Armenteros and Jose Urquidy are also missing in action, so you’ve already got about half a pitching staff.

If you want offense, we’ve got it. How about Bregman, last year’s MVP runner up, or Yordan Alvarez, the reigning Rookie of the Year? Four-time All Star Michael Brantley is there as well, and he’d be a welcome addition to any lineup. Aledmys Diaz is a quality utility player and spot starter when healthy, so that’s a pretty good start.

The Beat Goes On

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All kidding aside, this is getting a little ridiculous. The Astros aren’t far from having half of their team on the IL, which if you couple that with the fact that Gerrit Cole, Will Harris and Wade Miley left in free agency should mean the team is struggling mightily this season. But that’s not the case.

The Astros are riding an eight-game winning streak in spite of all the injuries. Rookie pitchers like Brandon Bielak and Blake Taylor have stepped up big time, as have Framber Valdez and Zack Greinke, who are fourth and fifth in the league in ERA, respectively. Kyle Tucker’s bat has come alive and Martin Maldonado has proved to be clutch at the plate.

There’s no telling how long this will continue, especially if the injuries keep piling up. Another World Series title is pretty unlikely this year, but then again anything is possible. For the time being, let’s just enjoy the ride and see what we have in the group of young players who’ve been forced into action this year.