The Houston Astros lost 3-2 against the Toronto Blue Jays on Thursday and have dropped three games in a row.

They still have a good 36-27 record, but have fallen five games behind the Texas Rangers for the AL West lead.

They were without Jose Altuve for a large chunk of their season.

Now, their best hitter, Yordan Alvarez, got hurt and is likely looking at a stint on the injured list.

“Yordan Alvarez said he felt something in his oblique on a swing in the batting cages before the game. It felt bad on the two swings and misses in his first at-bat, which prompted him to leave the game,” Astros insider Chandler Rome tweeted.

Yordan Alvarez said he felt something in his oblique on a swing in the batting cages before the game. It felt bad on the two swings and misses in his first at-bat, which prompted him to leave the game.

— Chandler Rome (@Chandler_Rome) June 9, 2023

Oblique injuries are very, very tricky.

They have a rather high re-aggravation rate and when you think they are behind you, they re-appear.

Astros manager Dusty Baker indicated to reporters late Thursday that Alvarez is likely to miss time due to the injury to his right oblique.

There is nothing official yet, as the Astros are going to perform testing and imaging on the area to try to come up with an exact diagnosis.

Still, the most likely scenario has them placing the slugger on the IL sometime within the next couple of days.

Alvarez had been excellent to open the year, with a .272 batting average, 41 runs scored, 17 home runs, 55 RBI, and a .963 OPS.

He is not only the Astros’ best hitter, but one of the best in the American League.

He actually leads the league in RBI.

The Astros will miss him for as long as he is gone.

The post Astros Could Lose Their Best Hitter To The Injured List appeared first on The Cold Wire.

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After recovering from a 10-24 start to the 2023 season, the St. Louis Cardinals have stumbled back to 11 games below the .500 mark.

They are currently in last place in the NL Central at 26-37.

Their main issue has been their lack of starting pitching, but the offense has also been quite inconsistent.

They’ve made a few internal moves to promote players such as Juan Yepez, Luken Baker, and Jordan Walker, but it hasn’t helped them get back on track.

On Thursday, MLB Network insider and St. Louis native Greg Amsinger discussed what it might take for the Cardinals to get back into contention again.

Demotions and speeches aren't going to be enough, the #STLCards need to do something drastic.@MLBNetwork host Greg Amsinger joined #TheOpeningDrive to talk about why a drastic move from outside the club is necessary for the Cardinals.

Full Interview: https://t.co/h95FagDurO pic.twitter.com/3ZCVsBGIu4

— 101 ESPN St. Louis (@101espn) June 8, 2023

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Amsinger predicted that in order for the Cardinals to rebound from their struggles, a major shakeup is needed, and not one from within the organization.

The MLB Network host commented that internal fixes aren’t going to get the job done.

Instead, Amsinger believes the Cardinals are going to need to make a trade or two to shake up the team.

Unfortunately, that may include saying goodbye to some familiar faces, as it may be the only way for them to get what they need at the trade deadline, should they find their way back into contention.

Players such as Tommy Edman, Brendan Donovan, Paul DeJong, Dylan Carlson, and Tyler O’Neill are a few that could find themselves on the move if the Cardinals want a drastic change.

Amsinger likened the situation to the Josh Hader trade from a season ago, and that while it didn’t work out for the Milwaukee Brewers, a trade of that magnitude could be what St. Louis needs.

The post MLB Insider Discusses Cardinals Path To Contention appeared first on The Cold Wire.

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The St. Louis Cardinals have been floundering this season.

After a 10-24 start, they seemingly recovered, only to slip back to 11 games below the .500 mark.

Some of it has to do with the fact that injuries have been an issue for St. Louis.

However, they may soon be getting some reinforcements.

Outfielder Dylan Carlson and pitcher Jake Woodford have been out for the last month.

But according to John Denton of MLB.com, the two of them are making some important strides and could be back soon.

On Twitter, Denton listed some numbers from Woodford and Carlson’s rehab games and revealed that Carlson could be activated as soon as Friday night when the Cards take on the Cincinnati Reds.

In the @memphisredbirds 15-5 defeat of Durham last night, #STLCards RHP Jake Woodford made his third rehab start & allowed 1 ER on 5 hits & struck out 3 in 3+ IP.

Dylan Carlson played RF & went 2-for-4 with a double, an RBI, a run scored & a walk. He could be activated today.

— John Denton (@JohnDenton555) June 9, 2023

Carlson sprained his ankle during the team’s game on May 14 against the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park.

In his recent rehab appearance, he made the start in right field and went 2-for-4 with a double, an RBI, a run scored, and a walk.

Woodford allowed one run on five hits over three innings and recorded three strikeouts.

If Carlson returns on Friday, the Cardinals may have a tough decision to make with Alec Burleson, Juan Yepez, and Luken Baker all with the big-league club.

More than likely, one of the three will be sent back down to Triple-A Memphis.

Woodford had been in the starting rotation to start the season thanks to Adam Wainwright’s groin injury.

He had struggled as a starter, but could be a valuable bullpen piece when he eventually returns.

The post The Cardinals May Be Getting Some Reinforcements Soon appeared first on The Cold Wire.

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