Read Chris Perry’s analysis of the Gattis injury at SB Nation
The Houston Astros have already suffered their first injury of the season before it even officially began. It was announced last Wednesday that designated hitter, Evan Gattis, underwent surgery in Philadelphia to repair a sports-related hernia. While the slugger came out of the surgery just fine, his recovery time is expected to last from 4-6 weeks. Because of this, Gattis will miss most of Spring Training. And if, heaven forbid, he undergoes any setbacks in his rehab, he may have to start the 2016 season down in Triple-A for rehab assignment and on the disabled list.
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Gattis already lost 20 lbs over the offseason while working with a personal trainer for the first time in his career to gain field versatility and shed the DH-only label. He has stated in recent interviews that he actually started feeling some of these symptoms as early as 2011, when he was in the Double-A Mississippi affiliate in the Atlanta Braves farm system. At the time, he didn’t think anything of it. Until recently, when while working out at Minute Maid Park, he experienced a large amount of pain. An immediate MRI found the problem, and hence led him to the surgery performed by Dr. William Meyers.
While he won’t get the defensive reps he and the team were seeking at 1B and the outfield, at least not right away, Gattis does plan to go down with the team to Kissimmee to perform his rehab during Spring Training, and even take in some light baseball activities. The team stands by their timetable of 4-6 weeks, but, as we know, this can change. To further complicate things, Gattis has already been ruled out as a backup catcher option and is also scheduled for his first ever career arbitration hearing, seeking a $3.8 million salary while the club is only offering an even $3 million.
While all of these scenarios play out for Gattis and the Astros, the big question is who will fill in at DH. Thankfully, for the team, there is enough depth on the bench and in the farm system to take care of this position. Also, even if Gattis isn’t ready for the start of the regular season he should be back before long. The players listed below should get more opportunities this spring with the additional at-bats provided by Gattis’ injury. Let’s take a look at the most notable fill-in options:
1. Preston Tucker (OF)
2015 Stats (Majors): .243/.297/.734, 13HR, 33 RBI
Tucker seems to be the most likely candidate to replace Gattis should his absence bleed into the regular season. He showed promise in 2015, especially against right-handed pitching. Given enough at-bats during Spring Training and beyond, Tucker should be a good stop-gap option.
2. Tyler White (3B)
2015 Stats (Between Double-A and Triple-A): .325/.442/.939, 14 HR, 99 RBI
White’s contact hitting can provide for run scoring opportunities. If he can have any similar performances at Spring Training that he did in Fresno and Corpus Christi, he will have a good chance at making the roster opening day.
3. Colin Moran (3B)
2015 Stats (Double-A): .306/.381/.840, 9 HR, 67 RBI
Like White, Moran is a strong contact hitter. He does not mash a whole lot of long balls, but he’s been able to get on base at a solid clip. Barring an injury, like the one he had in 2015, Moran could find himself invited to the team’s Opening Day roster.
4. A.J. Reed (1B)
2015 Stats (Between High-A and Double-A): .340/.432/1.044, 34 HR, 127 RBI
Reed is the top prospect in the Astros system, and he’s also in the Top 10 overall. While he’ll mostly be fighting for the job at first base, his raw power and youth can suit him well to take some games at DH. Whatever the case may be, 2016 will see this prospect get his call up to the majors for the opportunity to display his pop, sooner or later.
5. Jon Singleton (1B)
2015 Stats (Triple-A): .254/.369/.865, 22HR, 83 RBI
This is, without a doubt, that make or break year for Singleton. This spring will give him quite the opportunity, as he fights it out with A.J. Reed for the job at first base. Considered the early favorite, Singleton should be given every chance to win the job despite the top prospect breathing down his neck.
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This turn of events, while seemingly unfortunate, does not appear to be completely such. Impact for Gattis, the team itself and fantasy holders, for the time being, appears to be minimal. Barring anything unforeseen, El Oso Blanco (The Big White Bear) should be back into full form very soon, possibly even by Opening Day.
James Zeankowski is a correspondent at FantasyPros. To read more from James, check out his archive and follow him @tvwizard85.