Ben Gamel has suffered a left fibula fracture, the Astros announced. Houston positioned the outfielder on the 10-day injured record, retroactive to Sept. 15, and recalled catcher César Salazar.
Houston didn’t present a return timetable for Gamel, nevertheless it’s arduous to ascertain him taking part in once more this season. The outfielder suffered the damage in Saturday’s win over the Angels. He ran arduous into the correct discipline wall whereas monitoring down a Mickey Moniak fly ball. Gamel stayed within the recreation for an additional inning earlier than being lifted for pinch-hitter Jason Heyward.
He’s the second Houston outfielder misplaced to a damaged bone throughout the previous week. Chas McCormick went on the IL with a break in his proper hand on Thursday. That leaves the Astros with an outfield comprising Kyle Tucker, Jake Meyers, Heyward, utilityman Mauricio Dubón and DH/left fielder Yordan Alvarez. Skipper Joe Espada goes with Tucker, Dubón and Heyward with Alvarez at designated hitter for Tuesday night time’s recreation in San Diego.
Gamel has been a productive platoon bat for the Astros. Houston grabbed him off waivers from the Mets on the finish of August. He has appeared in 20 video games, hitting .259/.377/.362 with a homer throughout 69 plate appearances. He had a great likelihood to crack the Astros’ playoff roster (assuming they keep their four-game lead on the Mariners within the AL West), significantly if McCormick’s damage have been to linger into October.
The lefty-hitting Gamel shall be a free agent this offseason. He’ll in all probability be restricted to minor league provides however was hitting effectively sufficient in a small pattern to have a shot at a assured contract. That’d be a more durable promote if this damage carries into the offseason.
