Brice Matthews Is Back After 56 Games Missed, And One Astro Had To Go

Brice Matthews is officially back with the Houston Astros, reinstated from the injured list Saturday. This move comes more than two brutal months after he suffered a left knee sprain in a game against Texas, a significant absence that shook things up for the club. To clear the spots on the active and 40-man rosters for Matthews, outfielder Jorge Barrosa was designated for assignment. Talk about a tough call just weeks before the season ends!

The Long Road Back for Houston’s First-Round Pick

Matthews, the Astros’ first-round pick in 2023, went down in their last game before the All-Star break. Remember that play? He injured his knee attempting a leaping catch at the center-field wall in Arlington. He was placed on the injured list July 17 and has missed a staggering 56 games since then. Before his injury, Matthews posted a .197 batting average, a .250 on-base percentage, and a .332 slugging percentage across 82 games. He was a real utility guy for them, starting games at center field, left field, and second base. They’ve missed that versatility, no doubt.

What Matthews’ Return Means, and Who It Cost

Now, after all that time out, Matthews recently played in seven games on a minor-league rehab assignment at Triple-A Sugar Land. The numbers from those rehab games weren’t exactly stellar: he went just 1-for-24 with 12 strikeouts. He did log innings at second base, third base, center field, and left field, showing he’s still got that positional flexibility. The Astros, who are down to just eight regular-season games left, figure to use Matthews as a bench piece or possibly even a starter against left-handed pitching. He’s also considered a better defender than their right-handed hitting outfielder, Nelson Velázquez, and can cover multiple infield spots.

But his return came at a price. Jorge Barrosa, who was just claimed off waivers from Arizona earlier this month, is the odd man out. Barrosa only appeared in four games for the Astros, going 1-for-7 with two walks. He started two of those games in left field, both times against a left-handed starter. It’s a tough break for Barrosa, but the Astros clearly value what Matthews brings to the table, especially with the regular season winding down. With only eight games left, every roster spot matters, and they’re rolling with their first-rounder.

This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.

Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.