Meyers 'grateful' for path back to CF after injury

HOUSTON -- Jake Meyers said he would never forget slamming into the center-field wall at Guaranteed Rate Field last October. It was Game 4 of the American League Division Series against the White Sox, and as Meyers attempted to rob a home run, he slammed into the fence at full force with his left shoulder out front.

He was removed from the game with left shoulder discomfort -- effectively ending his first trip to the postseason -- before undergoing surgery to repair a labral tear in November.

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A year later, Meyers is gearing up to start in center field in Thursday's Game 2 of the ALDS against the Mariners. Astros manager Dusty Baker confirmed Meyers will get the nod after Chas McCormick started in center for Game 1.

“I just am grateful for the past year of being able to learn a lot from [the injury],” Meyers said. “And I’m grateful to be back in a similar situation, because you don't always get the chance to play in the postseason. I'm fortunate enough to be on a fantastic team to get the opportunity.”

In four postseason games in 2021, Meyers went 3-for-8 with two RBIs against the White Sox. He’s more than ready to try to replicate that production.

“I want to see him playing good defense and take charge,” Baker said. “Not being apprehensive about anything. And also getting some hits and getting on base.”

Meyers' return to the field post-injury wasn’t all smooth sailing, though. The surgery and rehab all felt like a rollercoaster for the outfielder, who worked tirelessly to get his body and game back to where they needed to be.

It didn’t come quickly. After a strong rookie season in 2021 in which he slashed .260/.323/.438 in 49 games, Meyers struggled following his initial return on June 24. In 47 games, he struck out 50 times while drawing just seven walks, posting a .557 OPS.

A stint with Triple-A Sugar Land starting Aug. 29 helped Meyers look more like himself again. He compiled a .337/.451/.544 with a .994 OPS in 24 games with the Space Cowboys and landed back with the big league club on Sept. 29.

“I think we called him up too soon earlier in the season, because he wasn't ready,” Baker said. “But his deadline for his rehab assignment of 21 days, whatever it was, was up. So I had to send him back. Sometimes you gotta go backwards to go forwards. So hopefully he can do something.”

Meyers added that he believed he was ready to return, both mentally and physically, but “baseball happened,” contributing to his struggles early on.

Soon enough, he started to hit his stride again, and in the five games after was recalled, Meyers went 5-for-11 to head into the postseason on a high note.

“Certainly health goes in line with some of the numbers I put up and how you kind of look at things,” Meyers said. “But later on this season, I did get a chance to get some reps under my belt, I did get a chance to kind of get a little bit more comfortable and get my timing down. So that's kind of how I roll anyways. It takes a little bit to get going, but I think it was a little bit exaggerated this year.”

The Astros have had a revolving door of sorts in center field in the two short years since losing George Springer to free agency following the 2020 season. They dealt Myles Straw at the ‘21 Trade Deadline and Jose Siri at this year’s. Meyers, McCormick and Mauricio Dubón have all logged starts in center field since.

A solid postseason run would give Meyers a chance to solidify himself as a central piece of the Astros’ outfield, though he doesn’t quite see it like that.

“I just try to go day by day,” Meyers said. “And really just try to focus on what I can control and that's something I can't really control. Like I said, I just got to go day by day and play the game I know I can play and just kind of be who I am.”