World Series: How the Yuli Gurriel injury impacts the Houston Astros

A knee injury suffered by Houston Astros first baseman Yuli Gurriel against the Philadelphia Phillies in Game 5 of the World Series will alter the look of the lineup for the remaining games at Minute Maid Park.

Lineup for Houston Astros takes a hit with Yuli Gurriel injury

Gurriel, who has started every game in the 2022 postseason for the Houston Astros, has been ruled out for Saturday and Sunday in Games 6 and 7 of the World Series with a knee injury that occurred during a rundown in the seventh inning of Houston’s 3-2 Game 5 victory.

In the video below, notice at the end of the rundown how Gurriel goes down awkwardly.

The injury has shuffled Houston’s roster heading into Game 6, with the Astros adding a third catcher (Korey Lee) to the active list, allowing Christian Vazquez to serve as the team’s designated hitter. Trey Mancini, who is 0-for-18 this postseason but made a big defensive play at first base to help secure the Game 5 win, will start at first base in Gurriel’s place on Saturday.

Gurriel was 17-for-49 this postseason with a pair of homers, four RBI, and two stolen bases. He had at least one hit in four of the five World Series games against the Phillies.

With Houston holding a 3-2 edge in the World Series, the Astros will certainly miss Gurriel at the plate. While Mancini can provide solid defense at first, can he find his rhythm at the plate? Houston made a deal to acquire him at the trade deadline from the Baltimore Orioles, and that swap could pay its biggest dividend of the season if Mancini provides a lift in Gurriel’s absence.