The Houston Astros are getting a big boost at the most opportune time.
All-Star third baseman Isaac Paredes is expected to be activated off the injured list Friday prior to the start of a pivotal three-game series with the Seattle Mariners at Daikin Park, MLB.comâs Brian McTaggart reported.
Entering the penultimate weekend of the season, the teams are tied atop the American League West with matching 84-69 records.
Paredes, acquired last offseason from the Chicago Cubs in a trade for outfielder Kyle Tucker, is slashing .259/.359/.470 with 19 home runs and 50 RBI in 94 games.
What Was Isaac Paredesâ Injury?
Paredes, 26, sustained a severe right hamstring strain running the bases July 19 in Seattle, interrupting what had been a terrific run of production from the two-time All-Star. Paredesâ .829 OPS was the second-highest mark of his career, behind only 2023 (.840) with the Tampa Bay Rays when he finished top 20 in AL MVP voting.
In Paredesâ absence, the Astros struggled to produce with any consistency. Over the next 55 games, they averaged just 4.1 runs with a .309 on-base percentage, .387 slugging percentage and .695 OPS, which ranked 24th in the majors.
In August, Paredes opted against season-ending surgery and instead received a platelet-rich plasma injection in hopes of helping the Astros down the stretch and in the playoffs.
Paredes has spent the last two weeks rehabbing at the Astrosâ spring training complex in West Palm Beach, Fla., and the team has been encouraged by his progress.
âHe is doing very, very well,â manager Joe Espada said Wednesday, via The Athletic. âI think every day he comes in feeling better. His recovery time is better. Getting ready for his daily routine is getting easier for him. Iâm really happy where heâs at.â
What Does Isaac Paredes’ Return Mean for the Astros?
Paredesâ return coincides with three-time All-Star Yordan Alvarez suffering a significant ankle sprain. Alvarez, who had been hitting .369/.455/.569 with three homers and nine RBI in 18 games since returning from a right-hand fracture, will miss the rest of the regular season and possibly the postseason, as well.
With Carlos Correa having taken over the everyday job at third base after arriving in a midseason trade, Paredes theoretically could supplant Alvarez at designated hitter as Houston tries to lock down a playoff spot.
The Astros are coming off a three-game sweep of the Texas Rangers to improve to 6-2 over their last eight contests. With nine games remaining in the regular season, the Astros are tied with Seattle for the AL West lead but sit one game ahead of the Boston Red Sox for the second wild card.
Like Heavy Sports’s content? Be sure to follow us.
This article was originally published on Heavy Sports
The post Astros Set to Get Major Boost Amid AL Playoff Race appeared first on Heavy Sports.