There could be another major injury in the 2023 World Baseball Classic.
Houston Astros All-Star José Altuve, who plays in Venezuela, ended his team’s game against the United States on Saturday after taking a 96 mph fastball from Daniel Bard.
Altu immediately hit the ground after contact with the field and was escorted off the field by the coach in obvious pain. He was replaced at second base by Luis Rengifo of the Los Angeles Angels.
The Astros later released a statement saying Altuve is being evaluated for a right hand injury and will have more information on Sunday.
The short strike was the ugliest moment in Bard’s ugly innings. He opened the fifth with a walk, a single, a wild pitch, an HBP, a wild pitch and a walk before Team USA manager Mark DeRosa pulled him for Tampa Bay Rays reliever Jason. Adam. When Bard exited, the bases were loaded with no outs and one run already in.
Bard’s line got even worse after he left, as Venezuela ended the inning leading 6-5 after going 5-2.
The injury risk of playing in the World Baseball Classic has been a hot topic ever since New York Mets closer Edwin Díaz tore his patellar tendon while celebrating Puerto Rico’s victory at the end of pool play. Díaz, last year’s NL reliever of the year, is expected to miss the entire MLB season.
Now the Astros and Venezuela are holding their breath on Altuve. The second baseman wins a championship with the Astros, hitting .300/.387/.533 with 28 homers and 18 RBIs to earn his eighth All-Star nod, sixth Silver Slugger Award and fifth. finished in AL MVP voting.