The Houston Astros are sitting atop the American League West coming out of the All-Star break, but they’ll need reinforcements soon. The Astros currently have 16 players on the injured list, and a few of them are big names, including Yordan Alvarez and Jeremy Peña.
While some players are expected back after the break, others have already begun their rehab assignment in the minor leagues. It led to one returning Astro putting on a show during the All-Star break and could pave the way for a second-half rebound when he returns to the lineup.
Astros OF Chas McCormick Socks a Pair of Homers During Rehab Assignment
Chas McCormick is currently on a rehab assignment with the Florida Coast League Astros over the All-Star break as he works his way back from an oblique injury. While most players were celebrating an appearance in Tuesday’s game in Atlanta or taking a quick vacation, McCormick was hitting dingers, socking a home run while starting in center field on Wednesday afternoon.
The Astros transfer OF Chas McCormick’s rehab assignment to the FCL Astros.
— Will Kunkel (@WillKunkelV) July 16, 2025
McCormick started inCF today:
⚾️2-3
⚾️HR
⚾️2 RBI
This is his 2nd HR during the rehab stint.
The FCL Astros are a rookie-level team, so you can take McCormick’s performance with a grain of salt. But the 30-year-old could use all the momentum he can get as he tries to rebound from a rough first half.
McCormick was hitting .256/.347/.302 with no homers and a pair of RBI when he strained his oblique on May 31. While his start was disappointing, it was a continuation of his struggles in 2024 when he hit .211/.271/.306 with five homers and 27 RBI over 94 games. The outfielder also could be on the ropes with Jake Myers taking over in center field, but the Astros know there’s a productive player when healthy.
Two years ago, McCormick hit .273/.353/.489 with 22 homers, 70 RBI, and 19 stolen bases. His 3.4 wins above replacement were a career-high, and it capped off a three-year stretch where he logged 7.4 WAR to open his career.
McCormick began his rehab assignment with Triple-A Sugar Land on July 4 and hit a home run during a July 11 game at Oklahoma City.
With Myers on the injured list, questions in left field, and an uncertain timetable for Alvarez, the Astros would be thrilled if McCormick’s power surge accompanies him when he returns to the major league level.