Astros' Jake Odorizzi Avoids Dreaded Achilles Tear, Here's When He Could Return To Mound

Astros' pitcher Jake Odorizzi was back on the field on Friday walking unencumbered and testing out his injured lower right leg only four days after he was stretchered out of the infield. 

Odorizzi got what he called a “best-case scenario” result from his MRI, which revealed multiple strains and sprains near his right foot, but no damage to his Achilles tendon. 

The Astros placed the 32-year-old on the 15-day IL, but have yet to set a timeline for the 32-year-old's recovery and return from the scary injury that they are calling a right tendon strain. 

Based on Odorizzi's reaction and description of his injury, the Pro Baseball Docs believe that –  among other damage – he suffered a ruptured plantar fascia that he could recover from in under a month. 

The results of the MRI reportedly revealed that Odorizzi has other damage to his ankle and foot, meaning his best case scenario for recovery would be 3 weeks.

There was legitimate reason for Odorizzi to fear a ruptured Achilles tendon. 

The right-hander described feeling a “quick, loud pop” followed by aching pain, which caused him to collapse off the mound and spurred his trepidation of walking under his own power. That is certainly a feeling associated with an Achilles tear, but it is also an indicator of a ruptured plantar fascia. 

The plantar fascia is a long strand of tissue that runs across the bottom of the foot from the toes to the heel and is mostly associated with plantar fasciitis. When it ruptures at the base of the heel, it can make a similar popping sensation that Odorizzi mentioned and would explain why he was unsure whether or not he could walk safely afterwards.

Unlike plantar fasciitis, which features small tears and causes lingering pain and inflammation, a complete tear can heal quickly and wholly.

Odorizzi, who the Astros acquired last summer, is 3-2 this season with a 3.13 ERA and 21 Ks across 31.2 innings of work.