Astros Update Injury Status of Star Pitcher

The Houston Astros have updates on a pair of players that have been dealing with recent injuries, the most notable of which is a pitcher they were counting on for the starting rotation.

Jose Urquidy has now undergone all of the medical examinations necessary for the Astros to craft a play for his recovery.

The good news is that Urquidy has no damage to the UCL of his throwing arm, something that could be a precursor to Tommy John surgery. With two pitchers working to return from major injuries this season in Lance McCullers Jr. and Luis Garcia, the Astros could ill-afford another one.

The Astros also swung and missed on two-time Cy Young winner Blake Snell, who is joining the San Francisco Giants.

Urquidy told The Athletic and other outlets that he has inflammation in his right forearm and will rest for the next 10-15 days, assuring that he will start the season on the injured list.

Astros manager Joe Espada said that Urquidy won’t throw “for a while.”

Urquidy isn’t the only starting pitcher who won’t be ready Opening Day. The Astros will be without Justin Verlander, who is still stretching himself out after showing up at spring training with a shoulder issue. He could face hitters soon.

Espada provided one more injury update on infielder Grae Kessinger. He strained a hamstring in a recent spring training game and was evaluated shortly after leaving the game.

He said that Kessinger reported to the team’s facility in West Palm Beach, Fla., “sore” and won’t work out for a few days.

The Houston Astros face their season opener at Minute Maid Park on March 28 against the New York Yankees. The Astros will throw Framber Valdez against the Yankees’ Nestor Cortes, as former Astros starter and current AL Cy Young winner Gerrit Cole is out with an injury.