Rockies' Troy Johnston and Willi Castro Injured After Being Hit by Pitches

Both players left Wednesday's game against the Astros after being struck by pitches from Spencer Arrighetti.

Apr. 16, 2026 at 1:42am

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A fractured, geometric painting in shades of green, brown, and blue, depicting the chaotic moments of a baseball game where two players were struck by pitches, the action broken down into sharp, overlapping planes.A cubist interpretation of the injuries suffered by Rockies players Troy Johnston and Willi Castro after being hit by pitches, highlighting the fragmented nature of the incident.Houston Today

Colorado Rockies players Troy Johnston and Willi Castro were both forced to leave Wednesday night's game against the Houston Astros after being hit by pitches from Astros pitcher Spencer Arrighetti. Johnston was hit in the thigh in the first inning and stayed in the game until being replaced in the third. Castro was hit on the right hand in the fourth inning and had to be removed from the game.

Why it matters

Injuries to key players can significantly impact a team's performance and playoff chances, especially early in the season. The Rockies will need to monitor the status of Johnston and Castro closely to determine the extent of their injuries and how long they may be sidelined.

The details

In the first inning, Arrighetti hit Johnston in the thigh with a pitch. Johnston remained in the game and even walked in the third inning, but was then replaced at first base. The Rockies later announced that Johnston had suffered a bruised right quadriceps. In the fourth inning, Arrighetti hit Castro on the right hand with a pitch. Castro trotted to first base, where a trainer examined his hand for a couple minutes before removing him from the game. The team did not immediately provide an update on Castro's condition.

  • In the first inning, Arrighetti hit Johnston with a pitch.
  • In the third inning, Johnston was replaced at first base.
  • In the fourth inning, Arrighetti hit Castro with a pitch.

The players

Troy Johnston

A Colorado Rockies player who was hit by a pitch in the first inning and had to leave the game with a bruised right quadriceps.

Willi Castro

A Colorado Rockies player who was hit by a pitch on the right hand in the fourth inning and had to leave the game, with the team not providing an immediate update on his condition.

Spencer Arrighetti

The Houston Astros pitcher who hit both Johnston and Castro with pitches, leading to their injuries and exits from the game.

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What’s next

The Rockies will need to provide updates on the status of Johnston and Castro's injuries and determine how long they may be sidelined.

The takeaway

Injuries to key players can be a major setback for a team, especially early in the season. The Rockies will need to monitor the conditions of Johnston and Castro closely and determine the best path forward to minimize the impact of these injuries on their season.