Houston Astros outfielder Jake Meyers will miss the rest of the 2026 season after fouling a pitch off his left kneecap in a minor league game.
The 30-year-old center fielder suffered the injury Sept. 11 while playing for Triple-A Sugar Land.
MLB.com’s Brian McTaggart reported the season-ending diagnosis.
“Jake Meyers’ season ended Sept. 11 at Triple-A Sugar Land when he fouled a ball off his left knee cap. He posted a .592 OPS in 39 Minor League games, .594 in 57 games with the Astros,” McTaggart wrote.
Meyers batted .213 with a .268 on-base percentage and .326 slugging percentage in 57 games with Houston this year. He finished with three home runs, 11 RBIs, 15 runs and one stolen base in 141 at-bats and 153 plate appearances.
He also struck out 31 times against 10 walks.
In 39 minor league games this season, Meyers slashed .231/.301/.338 with two home runs and 13 RBIs.
The Astros optioned him to Sugar Land on Sept. 7 after a short September recall that produced no at-bats. He had already spent stretches in the minors earlier in the year after opening the season as Houston’s regular center fielder.
Houston selected Meyers in the 13th round of the 2017 draft, 391st overall, out of the University of Nebraska. He signed for a $125,000 bonus.
Meyers made his major league debut on Aug. 1, 2021.
He has appeared in 522 games across six seasons with the Astros. His career line sits at .241/.303/.367 with 36 home runs, 172 RBIs, 196 runs and 38 stolen bases in 1,550 at-bats.
He has played all three outfield positions but has been used mainly in center field, where he started 51 of his 57 games this season.
Meyers has three hits in 12 career postseason at-bats. He was on the roster for Houston’s 2022 World Series title.
This is his last season of arbitration eligibility. He signed a one-year, $3.55 million deal last winter. Career earnings stand at $8,260,092.
The news arrived as the Astros prepared to open a three-game homestand Friday against the Atlanta Braves at Daikin Park. First pitch is set for 7:10 p.m. CDT and will air on the Space City Home Network.
Houston entered the series at 77-76 after a 6-2 win over the Kansas City Royals on Thursday. The Astros hold a one-game lead over the Texas Rangers in the American League West with 10 games left.
Meyers hit .292 with a .727 OPS in 104 games last season before a calf injury limited him. He never found that rhythm in 2026 and posted a .594 OPS in the majors.
His absence adds to a season already marked by injuries, including the shutdown of infielder Carlos Correa after ankle surgery.
Meyers had not been a regular in the Astros lineup in recent weeks, but the loss still thins outfield depth heading into the final stretch.
