Houston Astros first baseman Christian Walker was struck on the right hand by a pitch during Wednesday’s home game against the Oakland Athletics. The pitch, delivered by Athletics starter Luis Severino at 96 mph, hit Walker at the start of the fourth inning. Despite the hit, Walker stayed in the game after being evaluated by a trainer.

Performance Continues Despite Injury

Walker remained on the field for the next two innings and later scored on a single by Cam Smith, tying the game at 2-2. In the bottom of the sixth inning, Walker was replaced by pinch hitter Mauricio Dubon. Houston went on to win the game 5-3.

Walker Addresses Condition Following Incident

After the game, Walker described the impact location as on the knuckle of his middle finger, calling it sore but manageable.

“It’s just a matter of handling the inflammation and I should be good to go.”

—Christian Walker, Astros first baseman

Walker’s Season and Career Overview

Signed as a free agent in December, the 34-year-old Walker is currently batting .212 this season with seven home runs and 25 RBIs over 54 games in his first year with Houston. Over his career, he holds a .247 batting average with 154 home runs and 468 RBIs, having played with the Baltimore Orioles, Arizona Diamondbacks, and now the Astros.

Medical Update and Outlook

Manager Joe Espada confirmed that X-rays taken after the pitch showed no fractures or serious injury, providing reassurance about Walker’s condition. The Astros will monitor his hand as he continues to recover, and his ability to handle inflammation will determine his availability for upcoming games.