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“Mild concussion” for George Springer
Just when it feels like the Astros are inching closer to regaining their collective health, another injury seems to develop that further throws the plan into disarray. We’ve seen it a couple of times with Aledmys Diaz and Carlos Correa this season. Collin McHugh has seen the IL twice already this season. Brad Peacock is another oft-injured player in 2019. Unfortunately, it is George Springer who’ll find himself missing some time due to a “mild concussion” that he suffered in Milwaukee earlier this week.
From Brian McTaggart of MLB.com:
George Springer was diagnosed with a mild concussion yesterday, Luhnow says. He will miss a few games but they hope to have him back by early next week once he is cleared medically.
— Brian McTaggart (@brianmctaggart) September 5, 2019
Thankfully for the Astros and their star outfielder, Springer isn’t expected to miss more than a few games. Based on Jeff Luhnow’s comments, the club hope to have the twenty-nine year-old available by next week’s four-game series against the A’s early next week. Although Houston currently holds a nine-game lead over Oakland, that approaching four-game set at Minute Maid Park early next week would be a prime opportunity for them to essentially seal the deal on a third-consecutive AL West division title. The Astros would preferably like Springer to play in that series. I would, too. And Kyle Tucker should finally receive some playing time this weekend, right?
Aaron Sanchez lost for the remainder of the 2019 season
We’ve all know for a while that Aaron Sanchez wasn’t likely to see much in terms of substantial playing time after he hit the IL in August with a sore right pectoral muscle. If there were any hopes of him playing again this season, well, those definitely went out the window early Thursday, thanks to the below tweet from Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle.
Aaron Sanchez will have a procedure on his right shoulder next week, Jeff Luhnow said. He is out for the season.
— Chandler Rome (@Chandler_Rome) September 5, 2019
The Astros’ pitching depth obviously took another hit with this latest development surrounding Sanchez. While the former Blue Jay wasn’t expected to be a key contributor in the rotation in the regular season, it was feasible that Houston could’ve utilized Sanchez as a reliever in the postseason. After all, the Astros experienced great success in 2017 by utilizing Charlie Morton and Lance McCullers Jr. in a similar manner.
From a long-term perspective, it’ll be interesting to see how Sanchez recovers as he is entering his third and final year of arbitration this winter. Could he be a non-tender candidate? Of course, the Astros currently project to have a couple of openings in their 2020 rotation at this time. If the club believes they can harness Sanchez’s potential, he could stick around next season as a back-end starter. It all likely hinges on his subsequent recovery as Houston isn’t quite sure how his rehab will look until after the surgery takes place next week.
Carlos Correa is switching agents
No new injuries to report for Carlos Correa (thank, goodness), but he is still generating news. This time we see the Astros’ former number one draft pick switching agents. Gone are the days of Greg Genske and say hello to the William Morris Endeavor agency.
According to a source, Astros SS Carlos Correa has left agent Greg Genske and hired talent agency William Morris Endeavor to represent him - for both marketing and baseball contracts. At the moment, WME does not have a certified agent but is in the process of getting certified.
— Mark Feinsand (@Feinsand) September 5, 2019
As noted by Mark Feinsand of MLB.com above, there is currently no certified MLB agent at William Morris Endeavor, or WME. But it appears, via Feinsand, that the agency’s own Jon Rosen, who has represented celebrities and former athletes in various transactions, could be Correa’s primary agent in the near future. Rosen, according to Feinsand, is currently in the process of being certified by the MLBPA. And Alex Rodriguez is also advising Correa, per Jeff Passan of ESPN. Interesting development, right?
Alex Rodriguez has been advising Carlos Correa on his future, sources tell ESPN. An agent switch often accompanies advice from outsiders, but going to an agency with no baseball business is unprecedented, especially considering Correa will be a free agent after the 2021 season. https://t.co/oUqAXmtAyo
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) September 5, 2019
The Astros’ star shortstop is about to enter a critical time of his young career following another injury-riddled campaign, thanks to a cracked rib and back discomfort. With only twenty-two games remaining, this season would be only the second time Correa hasn’t played in at least 100 games in his major league career. For context, he played in 99 games during his rookie season in 2015, when he didn’t make his major league debut until early June. But when health has permitted, Correa has been easily one of the most productive shortstops in baseball with a career 129 wRC+. In only 310 plate appearances this season, the shortstop has hit .278/.358/.556 with 19 home runs and a 140 wRC+. With only two more arbitration years in front of him, it appears the soon-to-be twenty-five year old wants to have the best representation, not only in baseball but also all other business ventures.