Alex Bregman might not stay as the Houston Astros’ main third baseman because his right elbow is swollen.
He told reporters that playing in the field will be a “fluid situation” due to his elbow problems. “Some little gremlins in there are causing some swelling that I’m just going to have to try to mitigate through the rest of the year and keep the swelling out,” he said.
Bregman assured everyone there’s no structural damage, so throwing and batting don’t hurt him. He was out for almost a week but came back as a designated hitter on Wednesday. This means Yordan Alvarez might need to play outfield more often, which isn’t ideal. Shay Whitcomb played third base when Bregman was absent, and Zach Dezenzo could also fill in.
Free Agency Concerns:
Bregman, now 30, will soon be a free agent. He’s finishing up a five-year, $100 million deal signed before 2020. These elbow issues will definitely affect how teams view him this winter. Though his stats this season aren’t stellar—he’s hit .261/.318/.450 with 20 home runs and 25 doubles in 117 games—his performance has improved lately.
Fans might wonder if these injuries will impact his future deals.
The Astros are fighting hard to win the American League West. With a record of 68-58, they lead by five games over the Seattle Mariners. SportsLine gives them a 92.1% chance of making it to the postseason—they’ve reached at least the AL Championship Series for seven straight years.
What do you think about Bregman’s chances?
