Houston Astros relief pitcher Joe Smith is expected to miss between six and eight months of action after suffering a ruptured Achilles tendon during an offseason workout last week.
The Astros announced Smith underwent surgery Tuesday to repair his Achilles.
He signed a two-year, $15 million contract with Houston in December 2017. He compiled a 3.74 ERA and 1.01 WHIP with 46 strikeouts in 45.2 innings across 56 appearances in 2018.
The 34-year-old Ohio native has been one of MLB's most durable relievers since making his debut with the New York Mets in 2007. His 670.1 innings over the past 12 seasons ranks fifth among relief pitchers, according to FanGraphs.
Smith made stops with the Cleveland Indians, Los Angeles Angels, Chicago Cubs and Toronto Blue Jays in between his time with the Mets and Astros.
Houston does have some intriguing prospects down at the minor league level that could possibly move up to the big leagues to help in Smith’s absence. I’m sure many will get their chance in the upcoming Spring Training.
The journeyman right-hander will probably need a rehab assignment once he completes his recovery, which means the best-case scenario for his return to the majors is likely after the All-Star break in mid-July.
Meanwhile, Ryan Pressly and Hector Rondon figure to handle the set-up work ahead of closer Roberto Osuna for Houston during the season's first half.
He made one appearance in the playoffs, giving up a home run to Steve Pearce and being charged with the loss in Game 3 of the American League Championship Series against the Boston Red Sox.
Collin McHugh is slated to exit the bullpen to join the starting rotation. Brad Peacock‘s name has also been mentioned as a possible former starter to leave the role of a reliever and join the starters. Jeff Luhnow has stated that bullpen help is one of the areas that may need to be addressed this offseason. That need may have just moved up as a priority.
