George Springer was placed on the 10-day injured list with a left oblique strain on Tuesday. The Houston Astros slugger is expected to miss four-to-six weeks with the injury, which he suffered during Monday’s game against the Seattle Mariners. This is a huge blow to the Astros, who are already without All-Star outfielder Michael Brantley (calf) and second baseman Jose Altuve (hamstring). Springer is one of the best all-around players in baseball, and his absence will be felt in both the lineup and outfield. ### Topic: 5 Ways Small Businesses Can Compete With Big Businesses Intro: In today’s business world, it can feel like the playing field is tilted in favor of big businesses. They have more money, more resources, and more name recognition. But that doesn’t mean small businesses can’t compete—they just have to be more strategic about it. Here are five ways small businesses can compete with big businesses:
George Springer’s Injury
George Springer’s injury update: The Houston Astros star outfielder is expected to miss four to six weeks after sustaining a Grade 2 tear in his left oblique muscle.
The 27-year-old slugger suffered the injury while swinging at a pitch during the Astros’ game against the Oakland Athletics on Sunday. He was immediately removed from the game and taken for an MRI, which revealed the extent of the damage.
This is a significant blow to the Astros, who are currently in first place in the AL West. Springer has been one of their best players this season, batting .288 with 22 home runs and 58 RBIs.
Houston will have to rely on other outfielders like Jake Marisnick and Derek Fisher to step up in Springer’s absence. It’s unclear how long Marisnick will be out for, as he is dealing with a groin injury of his own.
The Astros’ Response
After George Springer’s injury update, the Astros released the following statement:
“The Astros are disappointed to hear of George Springer’s injury. We wish him a speedy recovery and look forward to his return to the lineup.”
How the Injury Will Impact the Astros’ Season
The George Springer injury update is not good news for the Astros. The All-Star outfielder suffered a serious injury to his left elbow that will require season-ending surgery. This is a significant blow to the Astros, who were already without Jose Altuve and Carlos Correa.
The loss of Springer will impact the Astros in a number of ways. First and foremost, it robs them of one of their best players. Springer is an elite talent and a true five-tool player. He was having another great season, batting .292 with 27 home runs and 58 RBI. His absence will be felt in the lineup and in the field.
Secondly, Springer’s injury further depletes an already thin outfield. With Altuve and Correa out, the Astros have been forced to play Michael Brantley in center field. Now they will have to find someone else to fill that void. It’s likely that rookie Kyle Tucker will get the call up from Triple-A Round Rock.
Lastly, Springer’s absence could have an impact on the Astros’ playoff chances. They are currently leading the AL West by 3 games over the Oakland A’s, but they are just 2 games ahead of the Cleveland Indians for the second Wild Card spot. Losing Springer makes it more difficult to hold off both teams down the stretch.
How Other Players Have Stepped Up in Springer’s Absence
Since George Springer was placed on the injured list on April 28th with a hamstring strain, several other players have stepped up in his absence.
Brett Phillips has been one of the biggest surprises. The outfielder was acquired by the Astros in the offseason and was expected to be a fourth or fifth outfielder. But he’s been starting regularly since Springer went down and has hit .333 with four RBIs in nine games.
Another player who has taken advantage of increased playing time is Myles Straw. The speedy utilityman has filled in admirably at center field, hitting .286 with three stolen bases in seven games.
Rookie Yordan Alvarez has also been impressive, batting .368 with two home runs and eight RBIs in eight games since being called up from Triple-A Round Rock. He’s provided a much-needed power boost to the Astros’ lineup in Springer’s absence.
With Springer expected to be sidelined for at least another week, these players will continue to see increased playing time and will need to continue to step up if the Astros are going to stay atop the AL West standings.
Conclusion
The George Springer injury update is that he is out for the season with a torn ligament in his right thumb. This is obviously devastating news for the Astros, as they were hoping to have him back for the playoffs. However, they will have to make do without him and hope that someone else steps up in his absence.