(Photo by Logan Riely/Getty Images)
Houston Astros first baseman Jose Abreu is having some physical issues that might affect his availability in the upcoming games.
That’s what manager Dusty Baker suggested in his most recent encounter with the media.
“José Abreu’s lower back is ‘acting up,’ Baker said. He said Abreu brought it to the training staff’s attention last night and will be evaluated when the Astros are back home,” Astros insider Matt Kawahara tweeted.
José Abreu’s lower back is “acting up,” Baker said. He said Abreu brought it to the training staff’s attention last night and will be evaluated when the Astros are back home.
— Matt Kawahara (@matthewkawahara) August 10, 2023
It’s no secret for anyone that the 2023 campaign hasn’t been easy for Abreu.
The roster and the clubhouse have welcomed him with open arms and the adaptation process hasn’t had any reported issues, but he is clearly declining and getting up there in age.
The 36-year-old slugger is in the first year of a three-year, $58 million contract, so the back issues become more of a concern when we look at the big picture.
Still, there is still nothing out there to suggest he will miss an extended period of time.
In 2023, the infielder has hit .234/.291/.343 as Yuli Gurriel’s replacement.
That’s a far cry off the .287/.349/.494 line he has put in his career, mostly spent with the Chicago White Sox.
He is capable of much more, but he needs full health to have a chance at improving his production.
There is no specific word on how much time he will miss.
The Astros have enough firepower in their lineup to go by without him for some time, especially now that Chas McCormick has broken out, Kyle Tucker is on fire, and Yordan Alvarez has returned from his own injury.
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