Who’s going to drive in runs for the Astros this season? Bregman’s gone, Tucker was traded, and now their big offseason signing, Christian Walker, is injured. It’s looking rough. As ridiculous as it sounds, the Astros might need to depend on their prospect Cam Smith to protect base with Jose Altuve. This offseason, they went aggressive behind Walker and landed him for 3 years worth $60 million. With Walker now reporting a left oblique soreness, is there any hope left with him?
It seems Christian Walker’s oblique issue will create more pain for the Astros than Walker himself. Why? It’s late off-season, and it is difficult to match the caliber of Walker now with the remaining free agents. For those unaware, Walker has been a very effective player when healthy. During the previous season, he played in 130 games with the Diamondbacks, hitting 26 home runs, 84 RBI, and 72 runs scored. He amassed 3.8 WAR in 2023 with 33 home runs and 103 RBI. Enough for the Astros to not let him go off-shelve. However, what’s next?
Christian Walker came to Astros manager Joe Espada during batting practice and reported left oblique soreness. He will be seen by team doctors.
“It’s something I don’t want to see right now. I’m just hoping for the best,” Espada said.
The team will know more tomorrow.
— Brian McTaggart (@brianmctaggart) March 5, 2025
“It’s something I don’t want to see right now. I’m just hoping for the best,” said the Astros manager, Joe Espada, on an update about Walker’s injury. Expectedly, who would want to let go of their key run machine? It all started when Walker was unable to participate against the Cardinals on Wednesday due to soreness he suffered during batting practice. Last season, he missed a month due to a strained left elbow, and in 2021, he was placed on the disabled list twice due to problems with his right elbow.
The Astros’ probability without Walker
While the final update about Christian Walker may be known in the next 1-2 days, what will happen in case of his long absence? Walker, who is 34 years old, was expected to keep the scoreboard running for the Astros. Compared to prior seasons, the team will seem very different going into the 2025 campaign. This summer, the team added Walker and Isaac Paredes, who were involved in the transaction that sent Tucker to the Cubs. So it’s all on Christian Walker and Isaac Paredes at the base. The team, though, has Jon Singleton at 1B to take over for Walker, but his performance at the base last year is a concern.
With the now-released Jose Abreu and current backup Jon Singleton combining for just 31 extra-base hits, 139 strikeouts, and minus-1.4 Wins Above Replacement over 153 games, the Astros had fairly poor first base production last season. Who’s left? Zach Dezenzo. The Astros’ sixth-ranked prospect was signed to play first base behind Christian Walker. Now, he has a genuine chance to contribute in the left field and earn a spot on the team. He recorded a slash line of .299/.385/.492 with seven home runs and 17 doubles in 52 Minor League games across three levels last year.
Well, in the unwanted absence of Walker, the Astros might need to place a prospect to replace a veteran. Their race is now against the time to get Walker back on the field.
What do you think about the Astros’ chances without Christian Walker? Share your thoughts with us below.
The post Major Heartbreak Awaits Astros After Their $60M Star Goes Out With a Sudden Injury appeared first on EssentiallySports.