Astros Face Injury Setbacks Yet Maintain AL West Dominance

The Houston Astros have managed to secure a commanding lead in the American League West, despite a series of injuries that have plagued the team this season. As of March 10, 2025, the Astros hold a record of 60-43, placing them five games ahead of the Seattle Mariners. This remarkable turnaround follows a challenging start, where the team was at a .500 record of 20-20 on May 12.

Entering a game against the Oakland Athletics at Daikin Park, the Astros are tied with the reigning World Series champion Los Angeles Dodgers for the fourth-best record in Major League Baseball. The team’s impressive performance is particularly noteworthy given the significant number of injuries affecting their roster.

The Astros announced on Friday that rookie pitcher Brandon Walter has been placed on the injured list, marking yet another setback for the team. With Walter’s addition, the Astros now lead the league with a total of 18 players on the injured list. Walter, a left-handed starter, has been one of the positive stories of the season, demonstrating resilience after a challenging career journey.

Walter was drafted in the 26th round by the Boston Red Sox in 2019, overcoming a torn ulnar collateral ligament that required Tommy John surgery during his college years. He faced additional hurdles, including the cancellation of the 2020 minor league season due to the COVID-19 pandemic. By 2022, he had rebounded to become the Red Sox’s No. 9 overall prospect.

Despite his challenges, Walter made his MLB debut with the Red Sox on June 22, 2023. He appeared in nine games, pitching 23 innings before missing the entire 2024 season due to a rotator cuff injury. Following his release from the Red Sox in early August 2023, Walter signed a minor league contract with the Astros, where he found a new opportunity.

After being called up to the big leagues on May 20, Walter quickly established himself as a reliable member of the Astros’ starting rotation. In his nine starts, he posted a commendable 3.35 ERA and recorded 52 strikeouts over 53.2 innings pitched.

Walter recently shared his current health issues with MLB.com reporter Brian McTaggart, explaining that his latest concern is not related to his shoulder but rather an elbow issue. An MRI revealed only inflammation, which Walter described as “pretty encouraging,” expressing optimism about a swift recovery.

As the Astros continue their season, they face the challenge of maintaining their lead in the division while managing their injured players. The resilience of the team and their ability to perform under pressure will be critical as they aim for success in the upcoming months.