The Astros and Venezuela could have lost the most in a really poor inning for Group USA. (Photo by Daniel Shirey/WBCI/MLB Images by means of Getty Photos)
The 2023 Planet Baseball Classic could have one more main injury on its ledger.
Houston Astros All-Star José Altuve, playing for Venezuela, exited his team’s game against the United States on Saturday following taking a 96 mph fastball from pitcher Daniel Bard to the hand.
Altuve instantly hit the ground following the pitch produced speak to, and he was escorted off the field by a trainer though in clear discomfort. He was replaced at second base by Luis Rengifo of the Los Angeles Angels.
The hit-by-pitch was the ugliest moment of an ugly inning by Bard, who opened the fifth with a stroll, single, wild pitch, HBP, wild pitch and stroll ahead of Group USA manager Mark DeRosa pulled him for Tampa Bay Rays reliever Jason Adam. By the time Bard exited, the bases have been loaded with no outs and 1 run currently in.
Bard’s line got even worse following he left, as Venezuela completed the inning major six-five following trailing five-two.
The injury danger of playing in the Planet Baseball Classic has currently been a loud subject of conversation considering the fact that New York Mets closer Edwin Díaz tore his patellar tendon though celebrating Puerto Rico’s victory at the finish of pool play. Díaz, final year’s NL Reliever of the Year, is anticipated to miss the complete MLB season.
Now, the Astros and Venezuela are each probably holding their breath on Altuve. The second baseman is coming off a championship-winning season with the Astros in which he hit .300/.387/.533 with 28 homers and 18 steals and earned his eighth All-Star nod, sixth Silver Slugger Award and a fifth-spot finish in AL MVP voting.