Astros Receive Positive Update After Christian Walker’s Hand Injury
Houston Astros fans were on edge during Wednesday’s game, a 5-3 win over the Athletics, as first baseman Christian Walker was hit by a pitch. The incident occurred in the fourth inning when Walker took a 96 mph sinker from pitcher Luis Severino directly on his hand.
Walker continued to run the bases and scored a run, but when it was time for him to bat again in the sixth inning, he had to be pulled from the game. The moment caused anxiety for fans, especially as the Astros were starting to gain momentum.
How Serious is Christian Walker’s Injury?
Fortunately, the worst was avoided. After the game, manager Joe Espada reassured the media that Walker’s X-rays came back negative. The decision to remove him was simply due to discomfort gripping the bat.
Walker himself provided an update, telling MLB.com’s Brian McTaggart, “Sore, but good. X-ray was negative. Just a matter of handling inflammation, and I should be good to go.”
This was a major relief for both Walker and the team, as he had been showing signs of breaking out of a season-long slump. Heading into Wednesday’s game, Walker had hits in six of his last seven contests, including a dramatic walk-off, three-run homer on Sunday to help the Astros win three of four against the Seattle Mariners.
The homer marked his first major highlight with Houston, and an injury at this point would have been a huge setback just as he seemed to be hitting his stride.
Walker had an OPS over .800 in each of his last three seasons with the Arizona Diamondbacks, and while he hasn’t reached those numbers yet with the Astros, his recovery is crucial. With players like Jose Altuve and Jeremy Pena heating up, and Yordan Alvarez soon returning from injury, the Astros’ lineup could quickly become a powerhouse if Walker continues to find his form.
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