Houston's All-Star third baseman injured his right hamstring on July 19 and could face an extended absence: "It's tough to be optimistic."

Starting third baseman Isaac Paredes (hamstring) is on the 10-day IL, but general manager Dana Brown said on Sunday that the injury is “a little bit more severe than we projected,” via The Athletic’s Chandler Rome. That could jeopardize Houston’s first-place status if it doesn’t acquire a replacement player by Thursday’s Trade Deadline.

With the MLB trade deadline less than a week away, the Houston Astros are expected to be buying talent to bolster their injured roster. Houston could bring in a left fielder or second baseman. But after the injury to Isaac Paredes, their plans have taken a turn.