Astros Reinstate Chas McCormick Ahead of Second-Half Opener Against Mariners
SEATTLE – As Major League Baseball enters the second half of the 2025 season, the Houston Astros are starting off on a hopeful note with the return of outfielder Chas McCormick. After being sidelined for nearly two months due to an oblique strain, McCormick has been officially activated from the injured list, offering a potential boost to a Houston roster currently dealing with multiple key injuries.
McCormick’s return was made official on Friday, just hours before the Astros began their second-half campaign against the Seattle Mariners, a critical divisional matchup. The 29-year-old outfielder had been absent since May 29, when he sustained a left oblique strain during a game — an injury that typically requires extended rest and careful rehabilitation due to its impact on a player’s core and swing mechanics.
Before returning to the majors, McCormick completed a six-game minor league rehab assignment, which allowed him to gradually ramp up to full-game activity and test his health under real game conditions. His successful completion of that stint gave the team the confidence to reinstate him at a time when their outfield depth is being tested.
Astros Struggling With Injuries to Key Players
McCormick’s reinstatement couldn’t come at a more opportune time. The Astros’ roster has been hampered by a string of injuries, particularly in the outfield. Notably, Jake Meyers, who has often shared center field duties with McCormick in previous seasons, is currently on the injured list with a calf injury. That injury, combined with other lineup shuffles, has left Houston short on experienced options to man center field — a position that demands both athletic range and sharp defensive instincts.
With Meyers unavailable, McCormick may immediately step into a more prominent role in the lineup, especially in center field. Prior to his injury, McCormick was mostly used as a reserve outfielder, coming off the bench or filling in spot starts when necessary. However, with the current roster situation, he could find himself in the starting lineup on a regular basis, especially if he quickly finds his rhythm at the plate and proves his defensive capabilities remain sharp.
In a corresponding move to make room on the roster, the Astros optioned outfielder Kenedy Corona back to Triple-A Sugar Land. Corona, a promising young talent, had recently been called up to provide depth in McCormick’s absence but has yet to establish himself at the major league level. With McCormick back, the team opted to give Corona more consistent playing time in the minors, where he can continue to develop.
Depth Challenges in the Outfield
As it stands, Taylor Trammell and Mauricio Dubón are the other primary options for center field duties in Houston. Dubón, known for his defensive versatility, has already been asked to take on multiple roles this season, including shortstop, due to the injury to Jeremy Peña, who is dealing with a fractured rib.
The combination of injuries to Peña, Meyers, and the earlier absence of McCormick has forced the Astros to be creative with their lineup and defensive alignments. Dubón, while not a traditional center fielder, has proven to be serviceable in the position thanks to his athleticism and quick reads off the bat. Trammell, on the other hand, provides another left-handed bat but has struggled with consistency at the plate.
Given the circumstances, McCormick’s return offers more than just depth — it could provide a stabilizing presence in both the lineup and the outfield. If he can return to the form he showed in previous seasons, when he emerged as a reliable two-way contributor, McCormick may help solidify a unit that has seen far too much turnover due to injury.
McCormick’s Season Before the Injury
In limited action earlier this season, McCormick had a .256 batting average, a .347 on-base percentage, and a .302 slugging percentage across 53 plate appearances. While those numbers don’t jump off the page, his ability to get on base consistently suggests a level of plate discipline and contact hitting that can be valuable in a lineup trying to regain its balance.
His slugging numbers were down from his career norms, perhaps indicating he had been playing through discomfort even before the oblique injury was diagnosed. Regardless, he remained a useful bench piece who could contribute defensively and provide quality at-bats in spot starts.
McCormick, who debuted with the Astros in 2021, has earned a reputation as a gritty and reliable player. He was a key contributor during Houston’s deep postseason runs and has delivered in clutch moments, especially with his defense in high-leverage situations. Over the past few seasons, he has developed into a fan favorite thanks to his hustle, humility, and team-first mentality.
Rehabilitation and Readiness
Rehabilitation from an oblique strain can be tricky, particularly for hitters. The oblique muscles play a crucial role in the swinging motion, and rushing back too soon risks aggravating the injury. That’s why the Astros were cautious with McCormick’s recovery timeline. He worked with the team’s training and medical staff, gradually increasing his workload and participating in controlled workouts before heading out for his rehab assignment.
During his six games in the minors, McCormick was primarily focused on getting his timing back at the plate and testing his range in the outfield. Reports indicated that he moved well in the field and had no lingering effects from the injury. While minor league statistics during a rehab assignment are not always indicative of future performance, his successful completion of the games without setbacks was the most important outcome.
The Astros’ decision to bring him back now suggests that both the player and the organization are confident in his physical readiness and ability to contribute at the major league level.
Opportunity Knocks for McCormick
With injuries opening up playing time, this is a significant opportunity for McCormick to reassert himself as an everyday player. Over the last couple of seasons, he has often been in a platoon role or used off the bench. However, with the team in need of stability, especially in center field, McCormick may have the inside track to regular starts.
If he performs well in the coming weeks, he could force manager Joe Espada to reconsider how he allocates outfield playing time, even once Meyers and Peña return from their respective injuries. McCormick’s blend of defensive reliability, base-running instincts, and occasional pop at the plate makes him a valuable piece, particularly in tight ballgames where every run and out counts.
Astros Hoping to Regain Momentum
The Astros’ first half of the season has been riddled with inconsistencies and injury woes. Long considered one of the American League’s most dominant franchises over the past decade, Houston is now in a position where every game in the second half matters, especially with the Seattle Mariners and Texas Rangers vying for divisional supremacy.
Getting healthy is just part of the equation. The Astros will also need their returning players — like McCormick — to perform close to their potential if the team hopes to make a serious push for the playoffs. Depth has been tested, and while Houston has held its ground reasonably well, there’s a sense that the team is counting on veterans and known quantities to step up during the stretch run.
McCormick is one of those known quantities. While not a superstar, he is a battle-tested player who has delivered in meaningful games before. His return could be a spark, both on the field and in the clubhouse, where his quiet leadership and professionalism are appreciated by teammates and coaches alike.
Looking Ahead
As the Astros continue their series against the Mariners and prepare for a challenging slate of games in the coming weeks, all eyes will be on how McCormick fits back into the mix. Will he reclaim the center field job outright? Can he stay healthy and productive down the stretch? Those are questions that will be answered over time, but the early signs are encouraging.
Manager Joe Espada will likely ease McCormick back into the lineup at first, perhaps limiting his workload over the initial few games to ensure there’s no recurrence of the oblique injury. But if McCormick looks comfortable and effective, he could quickly become a fixture in the Astros’ daily lineup once again.
In the bigger picture, McCormick’s return is emblematic of where the Astros are as a team in 2025 — battling adversity, leaning on depth, and trusting in the contributions of players who may not always make headlines but play vital roles in the team’s success.
For Houston to reclaim its place among the elite in the American League, it will need healthy, productive players at every position. Chas McCormick is one piece of that puzzle, and now that he’s back, the Astros are one step closer to being whole again.
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