Houston Astros Provide Injury Updates on Jose Altuve, Luis Garcia, Jose Urquidy

The Houston Astros provided injury updates on starting pitchers Luis Garcia and Jose Urquidy, and second baseman Jose Altuve. Here's the latest on the injured Astros.

The injury bug continues to bite the Houston Astros.

Tuesday, Astros manager Dusty Baker told reporters that he believes that pitching in the World Baseball Classic played a factor in starting pitchers Luis Garcia and Jose Urquidy going down with injuries on back-to-back days.

Astros beat reporter Michael Schwab pointed out Tuesday that Houston also lost its star second baseman Jose Altuve to a broken thumb, which he sustained while competing in the 2023 WBC.

Altuve told The Athletic's Chandler Rome that he has been cleared to field ground balls and begin gripping a bat. However, Altuve still might not be able to swing a bat.

Altuve also told Rome that the next two weeks of his rehab will be "really important." Neither Altuve or the Astros have provided a timetable for the second baseman's return.

The Astros will likely continue to look to Triple-A Sugar Land for pitching depth, with Urquidy and Lance McCullers Jr. on the Injured List. Garcia exited his start in the first inning Monday against the San Francisco Giants due to right elbow discomfort. The Astros starter has not yet been placed on the IL.

Rome reported Wednesday that Garcia will undergo further evaluation from doctors, following an MRI Tuesday night. The club has yet to provide any further updates on Garcia at this time.

Urquidy was placed on the IL on Monday. He told Rome Tuesday that he has been shut down from throwing for at least ten days. An MRI showed that Urquidy has inflammation near his armpit. Urquidy has had shoulder problems in the past, and left Sunday's game with a shoulder injury.

To replace Urquidy, the Astros called up Brandon Bielak from Triple-A Sugar Land. Bielak was called upon Monday, pitching four innings in relief after Garcia went down in the bottom of the first before Garcia was able to record a single out. Bielak allowed two runs off two hits, three walks and a home run, striking out six. If the Astros place Garcia on the IL, the club will likely turn to its farm system for help once again. Perhaps prospect JP France will receive his first call to the show and soon be making his Major League debut. France has 2-1 record and 2.33 ERA over 19.1 innings this season in Triple-A.