If the Houston Astros are going to clinch the 2022 World Series, they’ll have to do it without starting first baseman Yuli Gurriel.
MLB announced ahead of Game 6 on Saturday that Gurriel had been removed from the Astros’ World Series roster due to a knee injury, which was reportedly confirmed by MLB medical director Dr. Gary Green. The Astros will replace Gurriel with rookie catcher Korey Lee.
Gurriel’s knee injury appeared to happen on a rundown during the seventh inning of Game 5, as he left the game right after. You can see his leg twist awkwardly as he falls right before the tag:
The 38-year-old Gurriel is a significant loss for the Astros. One of their longest tenured players, his regular season performance was nothing to write home about (.242/.288/.360 with eight homers and eight stolen bases), but he has been a force in the playoffs, hitting .347/. 360/.490.
He hadn’t struck out all postseason until Thursday.
Rather than add an infielder who could replace him, the Astros opted for a third catcher in Lee, who hit 4-for-25 in his first 12 games of MLB action this year. That likely means trade deadline acquisition Trey Mancini starts at first for the remainder of the series.
Game 6 is scheduled to begin at 8:03 ET on Saturday, with the Astros leading the Philadelphia Phillies 3-2.