Could Isaac Paredes really return to the Houston Astros this season?
The All-Star third baseman was ruled out for the year after suffering a right hamstring tear in late July. That injury typically requires surgery, but Paredes chose a different procedure in the hopes of returning this October.
As the Houston Chronicle reports, Paredes will receive a Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) injection that could initiate “an accelerated healing process.” But it’s not guaranteed to work, which could potentially prolong Paredes’ recovery if he still has to undergo surgery at a later date.
Paredes chooses PRP Injection
The Houston Chronicle explains how a PRP injection works:
“A PRP injection takes the athlete’s own blood and filters it into platelet-rich plasma to then inject into the wound. The hope is that the growth factors from the platelets will promote an accelerated healing process and could set [Paredes] up for a return by October.”
Paredes seems to be confident in the process. He recently hinted at a comeback on social media, reposting a graphic with the news of his season-ending injury on his Instagram story and writing the caption: “Coming soon !!! Stronger.”
The Astros could surely use his bat. Before his injury, Paredes was slashing .259/.359/.470 with 19 homers and 50 RBI over 94 games. Houston ranks tied for 20th as a team with a .239 batting average after the All-Star break.
The Astros added Carlos Correa, who won the 2022 World Series with Houston, at the deadline to fill Paredes’ spot at third base. In 22 games for Houston, he’s hitting .349 with 3 home runs and 12 RBI.
The Astros continue their series vs. the Colorado Rockies tonight at 8:10 ET as they try to win the AL West for the eighth time in the last nine seasons.