The Astros’ outfield has been a problem all season, and now Houston is trying to navigate the final stretch without one of the deadline additions it hoped would steady things.
Daulton Varsho, brought in on Aug. 3 from the Toronto Blue Jays, has been sidelined by a left wrist issue that has now been traced to two cysts. Chandler Rome of The Athletic first reported Tuesday that Varsho was unavailable because of the wrist, then added Wednesday that the cysts were causing inflammation and discomfort every time he swings at pitches low in the strike zone.
What makes the update stand out is Varsho’s own admission that he has been dealing with the problem for the past three months.
Even with that, he had kept playing until recently. His last appearance came Saturday at Daikin Park against the Atlanta Braves, when he went 0-for-3. But the injury has reached the point where he can no longer stay in the lineup or contribute the way Houston needs him to.
The timing raises a fair question about what the Astros knew when they made the trade. Houston sent 26-year-old right-handed starter Spencer Arrighetti to Toronto in the deal, and while Arrighetti has posted a 6.35 ERA with the Blue Jays, the concern now is whether Varsho was already compromised when the Astros acquired him.
The numbers tell a clear story. From the start of the season through June 20, Varsho had a .748 OPS with six homers and 20 RBI, along with a .256 average and .329 OBP. Since then, his production has cratered: a .556 OPS, a .194 average, and a .241 OBP, though he still managed seven home runs and 23 RBI in that span.
For the season, the 30-year-old has a .535 OPS and a .172 average, though he has still shown some pop with five homers in 41 games for Houston.
That drop-off now looks even more connected to the wrist problem, and it leaves the Astros without a player they were counting on for both defense and occasional offense in center field. Rookie Lucas Spence is handling center now, but Varsho would obviously be the better option if he can get back.
Rome reported that removing the cysts would mean a month-long recovery, and Varsho has already received multiple cortisone shots. He is also seeking a second opinion soon.
That makes his availability for the rest of the regular season uncertain.
Houston has other injury concerns as well. Right-hander Cristian Javier is out until at least past the wild card round if the Astros reach the postseason because of a Grade 2 groin strain. Jeremy Peña was also dealing with soreness in his right wrist and did not start Wednesday, though he later entered the game as a pinch-runner.
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