A lot has happened on the injury front for the Astros over the last few days. Good news and bad news, but the overall picture is trending in a positive direction. Here is the latest on every player currently on the IL:
The Good News: Cristian Javier Is Back
Javier was activated off the IL prior to Friday's game against the Rays. He had been out since April with a Grade 2 right shoulder strain. He will work out of the bullpen rather than rejoining the rotation. Having Javier back is a huge boost for an already excellent bullpen. A long-awaited return.
Jeremy Peña
Peña was placed on the 10-day IL June 30 with a mild left calf strain. He ran the bases at Daikin Park on July 3 and could be ready for a Minor League rehab assignment early next week. Peña is targeting a mid-July return. Nick Allen is stepping in at shortstop in the meantime, who actually returned recently from the IL himself.
Raynel Delgado's Pinkie Injury
Delgado left the game July 1 against the Twins in the fifth inning after a ground ball struck second base and then hit him in the finger. He dislocated his right pinkie, no firm return date yet. An injury worth monitoring as the Astros are already thin in the infield.
Kai-Wei Teng's Knee Sprain
Teng was placed on the 15-day IL July 1 retroactive to June 28 with a right knee sprain. He was optioned to Triple-A Sugar Land but had that assignment nullified and was placed on the MLB IL instead. He is heading to Florida to rehab and will transition back to a reliever role. Targeting a July return.
LaMonte Wade Jr.
Wade began a Minor League rehab assignment June 30 at Triple-A Sugar Land. He has been on the IL since June 9 with right hamstring soreness and is targeting an early July return.
Ronel Blanco and Lance McCullers Jr.
Both pitchers are working toward July returns. Blanco made his third rehab start July 1 at Double-A Corpus Christi and will make his next rehab start July 7, also at Double-A. McCullers made his second rehab start July 1 for Triple-A Sugar Land and will make his third rehab start July 7, also for Sugar Land. Getting these two arms back would be a major boost to the pitching staff.
Bennett Sousa
Sousa was transferred to the 60-day IL on July 3 and will throw an inning in a Minor League rehab assignment July 4 for Triple-A Sugar Land.
Braden Shewmake
Shewmake was hit by a pitch on his left wrist during a rehab game July 2 for Triple-A Sugar Land and returned to Houston for X-rays, which were negative. No firm return date yet.
As for players on a longer healing journey:
Carlos Correa is out for the rest of the season after ankle surgery in May. Brandon Walter is also out for the season recovering from Tommy John surgery.
A lot of pieces are starting to fall into place for Houston. If even a few of these names return and contribute, this rotation and lineup get a lot deeper.
