The Houston Astros’ 2024 season has been a nightmare, with the team struggling and falling behind in the standings. They are currently 7.5 games behind the Seattle Mariners for first place in the American League East, as well as the Minnesota Twins for the third AL Wild Card spot. One of the main reasons for their struggles has been their starting pitching, with a combined rotation earned-run average of 4.69, ranking 26th in MLB. The team has been plagued by injuries to key pitchers, including Lance McCullers Jr., Luis Garcia, Framber Valdez, Justin Verlander, Ronel Blanco, Cristian Javier, and now José Urquidy, who may need Tommy John surgery.
José Urquidy, who was nearing a return to action after suffering a forearm strain in the spring, now appears headed for a second Tommy John surgery. This setback could potentially keep him out of action for another extended period, with pitchers typically requiring 12-18 months to return from this procedure. Urquidy, who has had a solid career with the Astros, will now face a lengthy rehabilitation and recovery process, likely missing the rest of the 2024 season and possibly most of the 2025 season as well. This injury comes at a critical time for Urquidy, as he is entering his final year of arbitration eligibility before becoming a free agent in 2026.
The Astros have struggled to cope with the loss of key pitchers to injury, as their starting rotation has been constantly changing due to these setbacks. The team has had to rely on various pitchers to fill in, leading to inconsistencies and struggles on the mound. The front office has faced challenges in trying to address the pitching issues, with injuries disrupting their plans and causing disruptions in the rotation. The Astros, who have a history of strong starting pitching, have been unable to replicate that success this season due to the injuries.
The injuries to key pitchers have had a significant impact on the Astros’ performance this season, with the team facing an uphill battle to stay competitive in the playoff race. The loss of key players such as Urquidy has put added pressure on the remaining pitchers to step up and perform at a high level. The team will need to find ways to overcome these challenges and make adjustments to their pitching staff in order to have a chance at turning their season around. The Astros will need to rely on their depth and resilience to overcome the adversity they have faced and stay in contention for a postseason spot.
As the Astros continue to deal with injuries and setbacks to their pitching staff, they will need to reassess their strategies and make adjustments to remain competitive in the tough AL East division. The team will need to rely on their remaining pitchers to step up and perform at a high level in the absence of their injured teammates. The Astros will also need to explore potential roster moves and acquisitions to bolster their pitching staff and fill any gaps left by the injured players. With a challenging road ahead, the Astros will need to stay resilient and focused on turning their season around to salvage their playoff hopes and remain competitive in the league.
