It isn’t often that an organization can point the finger at injuries when talking about a less-than-ideal record, but one of those times has arrived for the Houston Astros. To say this is a team that cannot afford to lose any more players would be an understatement.
A close call came about at Fenway Park in the Astros current series against the Boston Red Sox as Houston’s first baseman, Christian Walker, was beaned in the head by a pitch from Red Sox reliever Tyler Samaniego in the top of the ninth — a 93 mph fastball.
No matter who someone is rooting for, nobody wants to see a player lying on the ground. Simply put, being hit in the head by a baseball going that fast can, and will, change a player’s life. Luckily, he averted serious injury.
Astros beat writer at the Athletic, Chandler Rome, gave a positive update regarding Walker after the blow to the head that scared everybody watching. He posted to X (formerly Twitter) that Walker underwent a concussion test and passed. He also spoke to reporters, saying that the ball got most of his helmet and that his forehead only got a “glancing blow.”
One part of sports is injuries, but it does not make it easier to see someone take a hit like Walker took yesterday. Fortunately, he could play on Sunday.
Walker is getting better and better as the season progresses, which should be a terrifying thought for any pitching staff, as he is already hitting above .300 a full month into the year.
In the game where Walker was hit by the baseball? He was 3-for-4 with a homer and a pair of RBI. This wasn’t an anomaly as Walker is hitting almost .430 in his last seven games while slugging a masterful .821.
Houston remains well under .500 going into Sunday’s game against Boston. The pitching staff is buried with injuries and three pitchers will work together in a rehab start on Tuesday in the minor leagues. One of those pitchers is starter Tatsuya Imai while another is closer Josh Hader, who has yet to pitch this season.
Anytime a player can avoid the injured list is a monumental win for the organization. Walker avoiding catastrophe could be a turning point of the season. Only time will tell, but at least the first baseman should be available for Houston on Sunday.
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