The Houston Astros have been without their star third baseman, Alex Bregman, for a few days as he nurses an elbow injury. However, there’s promising news regarding his return. Before Tuesday’s game against the Boston Red Sox, Astros manager Joe Espada informed Chandler Rome of The Athletic that Bregman might be ready to serve as the designated hitter on Wednesday or possibly pinch-hit on Tuesday.
This is encouraging for the Astros, who have been on a tear, winning 11 of their last 12 games and building a five-game lead over the Seattle Mariners in the AL West. Although they have managed to win without Bregman, his presence is still crucial to their success.
While it is somewhat concerning that Bregman may not be ready to play in the field just yet, it’s a relief that he seems likely to avoid a stint on the injured list and will soon bring his hot bat back to the Astros’ lineup.
In Bregman’s absence, 25-year-old rookie third baseman Shay Whitcomb was called up to make his Major League debut, filling in at third base.
Bregman, a two-time All-Star and two-time World Series champion, is having another stellar season. Before his injury, he was on fire, hitting .417/.462/.861 with four home runs over his last eight games. So far this season, Bregman has 19 home runs and has been delivering Gold Glove-caliber defense at third base.
Perhaps most importantly, Bregman brings invaluable experience in high-pressure situations, something the Astros will need as they aim to maintain their lead in the AL West. With star outfielder Kyle Tucker still on the 60-day injured list due to a shin injury, the Astros can’t afford to miss Bregman’s contributions for long.
Espada’s update suggests that Bregman could return very soon, even if only as a DH initially. His return will be crucial in helping the Astros stay on top of the AL West standings.
