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Astros Announce Multiple Injury Updates After Jose Altuve News

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Chirag Radhyan | Last updated Feb 25, 2025 4:13 PM ET

The Houston Astros are shutting down two key players due to injuries, sidelining them for the foreseeable future.

The Astros have already taken some big hits this offseason. Gold Glove third baseman Alex Bregman signed with the Boston Red Sox earlier this month while former three-time Cy Young winner Justin Verlander joined the San Francisco Giants for 2025, leaving Houston with major gaps to fill.

Houston’s roster shake-up didn’t stop there. They traded star right fielder Kyle Tucker to the Chicago Cubs before he even hit free agency this winter and now some injuries have already sidelined a few key players ahead of the 2025 season.

Per Chandler Rome of The Athletic, manager Joe Espada revealed Tuesday that the team plans to shut down outfielder Pedro Leon and pitcher Shawn Dubin indefinitely.

Pedro León has a Grade 1 MCL strain. Shawn Dubin’s MRI showed shoulder inflammation. Both will be shut down for a while, Joe Espada said.
— Chandler Rome (@Chandler_Rome) February 25, 2025

The Astros are already working on a backup plan. Veteran second baseman Jose Altuve has been logging time in left field throughout spring training.

While the 34-year-old has played three positions in his major league career, this would mark his first-ever stint in the outfield.

Leon’s knee issue was initially downplayed as a minor discomfort, but further tests revealed an MCL strain. The typical recovery time is around three weeks, putting him on track for a potential return in March.

Meanwhile, Dubin had to undergo an MRI scan because of a shoulder pain, later it was revealed that he had a shoulder inflammation. So, this might pose an issue for him as a pitcher this close to the 2025 season opener on March 27.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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