Things are going from bad to worse for the Houston Astros. While their on-field performances haven’t been impressive, off-field too the Astronauts are falling. On one hand, Justin Verlander has finally returned after some shoulder issues. But on the other hand, their list of injured players has grown again. For a team whose pitching staff hasn’t been up to the mark, another injury could potentially ravage their entire season.

With a 7-15 record, the Astros are last in the AL West. However, that isn’t their primary worry right now. If anything their fans expected worse after multiple injuries derailed the Astros’ pitching staff. With another injury right before the rubber game against the Washington Nationals, the Astros are starting to look shakier than ever before.

Injuries derail the Houston Astros’ rise 

The Astros might be the worst victims of the league’s pitching injury pandemic. Since the season began the team has seen its pitchers fall one after the other. The effects have been visible in their results – the team has lost 5 games while being in leading positions. That is because their depleted pitching staff is proving to be ineffectual. Now it has been reported that Cristian Javier is out due to neck issues and Hunter Brown is set to start in his place on Sunday.

Currently, the Astros’ injured list is quite scary. It’s a cruel twist of fate that the team which was known for its defensive powers has found its defense getting broken. Here’s how the Houston Astros’ injury list looks as of April 21 (via ESPN).

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1. Cristian Javier – Neck issues
2. Framber Valdez – Elbow
3. Lance McCullers Jr. – Forearms (60 days IL)
4. Luis Garcia – Elbow (60 days IL)
5. Jose Urquidy – Forearm
6. Oliver Ortega – Elbow (60 days IL)
7. Bennet Sousa – is out for the season
8. Penn Murfee – Elbow (60 days IL)
9. Colton Gordan – Lat Strain

So as of now, the Astros are competing without over nine of its pitchers (there are even more injured).  So is it surprising that the team is struggling? At the same time, the Astros’ available pitching staff isn’t doing any better.

An underperforming bullpen pulls the Astronauts back to Earth

Cristian Javier has been among the few bright spots for the Houston Astros this season. With a 1.54 ERA, he has been the saving grace in multiple instances. However, things look even bleaker with his injury for the 2022 World Series winners. This is especially because apart from their starting rotation, the Astros’ bullpen has left a lot to be desired.

From Ryan Pressly (8.31 ERA) to Josh Hader (8.38 ERA), the team hasn’t been good lately.  Their failure to hold on to the leads has been a big weakness. With inconsistencies and injuries tag teaming against the Astros, one wonders how the Astronauts will win in this handicap fight. It sure will be interesting to see them try.