Injuries & Moves: Urquidy likely to begin season on IL
LATEST NEWS
March 18: RHP José Urquidy (forearm muscle strain) likely to begin season on IL
Astros manager Joe Espada said Monday that Urquidy was probably not going to be able to begin the season on time after being diagnosed with a right forearm muscle strain. Espada said he won't throw for a couple of days, which derails his Spring Training buildup. Urquidy pulled himself out of a Minor League game on March 15 after throwing 43 pitches. The Astros sent him back to Houston to be examined by team doctors a day later.
March 18: IF Grae Kessinger leaves game with right hamstring cramp
Kessinger, who's battling for a spot on the Astros' bench to start the season, hobbled home from second base on an RBI single by teammate Yordan Alvarez in the second inning of Monday's game against the Marlins.
March 17: RHP Justin Verlander could face hitters soon
Verlander, who will start the season on the injured list, is in line to face hitters for the first time this spring. Espada said Sunday that Verlander was going to throw a light side session in the bullpen and if he felt good, he was going to face hitters a few days after that. Verlander would need multiple live BP sessions before getting into Grapefruit League games.
The Astros made the decision to have Verlander start the season on the IL because there wasn't enough time to get him fully ready before Opening Day.
INJURY UPDATES
IF Grae Kessinger (right hamstring cramp)
Expected return: TBA
Kessinger suffered a hamstring cramp while running home from second base in the second inning of Monday's game. He was removed from the game. (Last updated: March 18)
RHP José Urquidy (right elbow forearm strain)
Expected return: TBA
Urquidy, who walked off the mound after throwing 43 pitches in a Minor League game on March 15 because of elbow soreness, was diagnosed March 18 with a right forearm muscle strain and was shutdown from throwing. He will likely begin the season on the injured list. (Last updated: March 18)
RHP Justin Verlander (right shoulder)
Expected return: April
Verlander will start the season on the injured list. He reported to camp two weeks behind schedule because of a shoulder issue and has been limited to throwing regular bullpen sessions at Astros camp over the past couple of weeks.
Verlander was scheduled to throw a light bullpen session March 17 and if all goes well, he would face hitters a few days later. (Last updated: March 17)
RHP Lance McCullers Jr. (right forearm surgery)
Expected return: 2024
McCullers is throwing off flat ground during Spring Training. He did not pitch in 2023 following surgery performed on June 13 to repair his flexor tendon and remove a bone spur. The right-hander had rehabbed to the point that he was close to facing hitters in mid-May, but another setback ultimately led to surgery. He should return at some point midseason this year. (Last updated: Feb. 20) More>>
RHP Luis Garcia (Tommy John surgery)
Expected return: 2024
Garcia underwent Tommy John surgery on May 19 and missed the rest of 2023. He progressed to throwing off flat ground at Spring Training. Garcia posted a 2-2 record in six starts in 2023 with a 4.00 ERA with 10 walks and 31 strikeouts and 27 innings last year before getting hurt. He's likely to return in the middle of this season. (Last updated: Feb. 20) More >>