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Top Five Contending Teams That Will Benefit From Returns of Injured Players

By Joshua Mayer

May 2, 2016; St. Louis, MO, USA; St. Louis Cardinals shortstop Aledmys Diaz (36) congratulates first baseman Matt Adams (32) after he hit a solo home run off of Philadelphia Phillies starting pitcher Jeremy Hellickson (not pictured) during the sixth inning at Busch Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports
May 2, 2016; St. Louis, MO, USA; St. Louis Cardinals shortstop Aledmys Diaz (36) congratulates first baseman Matt Adams (32) after he hit a solo home run off of Philadelphia Phillies starting pitcher Jeremy Hellickson (not pictured) during the sixth inning at Busch Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports /
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Is Lance McCullers the Astros ace? Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
Is Lance McCullers the Astros ace? Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports /

Honorable Mention: Houston Astros

Injured Player Injury Comeback
Colby Rasmus, OF August 5, ear Just cleared to return
Lance McCullers, SP August 3, elbow Currently in throwing program
Preston Tucker, OF August 12, shoulder Could return September 1

Though this list is lacking big names, Colby Rasmus and Lance McCullers are still important to the ‘Stros and their chances of catching one of the AL East teams for a wild card spot or the Rangers for the AL West Division crown.

Rasmus has had a down year after being one of three players to accept his qualifying offer this offseason. He had limped to a .638 OPS with 108 strikeouts in 90 games prior to the injury. So why do the Astros need him back?

Last season Rasmus was an average hitter from April to August until he really came on in September, helping to propel the ‘Stros to an unexpected playoff berth. He hit for an even 1.000 OPS and eight home runs in 22 games after August. Anything close to that would be much welcomed by an Astros team struggling to find outfielders that can hit outside of George Springer.

McCullers is a different story than Rasmus as he has been quite effective this year. In 14 starts McCullers has pitched to a 3.22 ERA with an equally impressive 3.00 Fielding Independent Pitching (FIP) score. With rookie Joe Musgrove struggling in his last two starts, the team is in dire need of starting pitching due to the average seasons by 2015 standouts Dallas Keuchel (4.55 ERA) and Collin McHugh (5.01 ERA).

Preston Tucker is the only other player the Astros expect back from the DL this year. As much as they want Luis Valbuena back, he just recently underwent season-ending surgery. Tucker has struggled in his time this year, but was an effective bench piece last year. As an outfielder with some pop (13 HR in 300 AB in 2015), Tucker will be a welcome addition to the bench when rosters expand Sept. 1.

Next: 5. Detroit Tigers

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