CLEVELAND – Another day, yet another roster move for the injury-rocked Astros.
As expected, left fielder Taylor Trammell was placed on the 10-day injured list with a left groin strain he sustained during Monday night’s 9-2 win in the series opener against the Guardians.
Trammell was hurt while running the bases in the fourth inning. He’s the 16th player to go on the injured list, an extraordinary amount since Houston has only played 24 games and already used 24 different lineups heading into Tuesday's game.
Manager Joe Espada doesn’t know when Trammell, who was batting .345 (10-for-29) with four RBIs, will return.
“It’s going to take some time for him to get back,” Espada said during Tuesday’s batting practice. “It’s a pretty significant injury. So it’s going to take a little time.”
To take Trammell’s roster spot, the Astros added outfielder Daniel Johnson to their roster. He had been at Triple-A Sugar Land.
Trammell first felt his groin tighten while advancing from second to third base. Moments later, he ran a few steps down the baseline toward home plate on a bunt attempt and immediately pulled up. After being checked by Espada and a trainer, Trammell left the game and was replaced by Cam Smith.
Following the game, Trammell said he was being cautious and “not trying to be a hero,” knowing it’s still April and given the current fragile status of Houston’s roster.
Espada said that’s the overall message to all his players at the moment.
“Yeah, be smart about it,” he said. “He’s been playing really good for us, and just to see that happen to him -- it sucks because he has been grinding for two years, given us some quality at-bats and playing really good in the field. He’s been aggressive on the bases, and it’s unfortunate that it happened.”
Johnson began this season in Miami’s organization before being released by the Marlins on April 7. The Astros signed him on April 19.
Johnson spent last season with San Francisco and Baltimore, batting a combined .189 with one homer and one RBI. The 30-year-old began his MLB career with Cleveland in 2020. He was originally drafted by Washington in '16.
“Familiar with him,” Espada said of Johnson, who can play all three outfield spots. “Last year, we went to Baltimore and he pretty much killed us. He had a couple homers and some nice at-bats, can play some center field. The other plan is for him to give us some coverage and some versatility in the outfield.”