Houston Astros left fielder Yordan Alvarez has been sidelined for the 2025 season due to inflammation in his right hand. Initially placed on the 10-day injured list on May 5, Alvarez’s recovery is extending beyond expectations, raising worries about his availability for the remainder of the year. The latest updates indicate that the uncertainty surrounding his return continues to grow.
During a recent episode of the Crush City Territory podcast, writer and co-host Chandler Rome shared insights into Alvarez’s progress, joined by fellow host Tyler Stafford. According to Rome, Alvarez is currently limited to hitting in the batting cage without facing live pitching, and team officials remain reluctant to start a rehab assignment.
“I wish I could offer some sort of substantial update. I can’t, he’s just hitting in the cage. Right now, I don’t even think he’s hitting off velocity. Team officials have seemed pretty hesitant that they don’t want to send him on a rehab assignment, but he’s coming up on about a month now without playing.
“I think it’d be very difficult to put him back in a major league lineup without at least sending him down to Sugar Land or Corpus or wherever’s at home just to see some actual pitching. But I don’t even know if he’s close to that.”
Limited Playing Activity and Manager’s Uncertain Timeline
Yordan Alvarez has been engaged in baseball drills and swinging against pitching machines, yet he has not progressed to facing live pitching or participating in games. Houston Astros manager Joe Espada has refrained from committing to a timetable for Alvarez’s return, underlining the cautious approach the team is taking regarding his health.
Rome further explained the severity of the injury, highlighting the growing concerns among the Astros and fans alike about the length and impact of Alvarez’s absence.
“He’s just going to come back when he’s ready. But the longer this goes, Tyler, I think it’s getting it’s growing to get a little more concerning because this is obviously something that is not just a casual injury. This is something that he may have to play through all season. I don’t know. But like this is not a run-of-the-mill, typical, like minor injury.”
Alvarez Shares His Frustration Over Extended Recovery
Since his major league debut in 2019, Yordan Alvarez has established himself as a crucial player for the Astros. His absence this season has been a significant blow to the team. Reflecting on the delay in his recovery, Alvarez expressed his disappointment, acknowledging that the timeframe for healing has surpassed his initial expectations.
“It’s been very frustrating. I didn’t think it was going to take this long. But obviously, it’s been longer than what I had anticipated.”
Through 29 games this season, Alvarez posted a .210 batting average with three home runs, 18 RBIs, and 16 walks, posting a .646 OPS. These numbers reflect a limited impact compared to his previous performances, partly due to the ongoing hand issue.
Potential Impact on the Astros and Next Steps
The prolonged absence of Yordan Alvarez threatens to affect the Houston Astros’ offensive strength as the season progresses. With no clear timetable for his return and hesitation about initiating a rehab assignment, the team faces difficult decisions in managing both his health and their lineup. How the Astros approach his recovery and reintegration could influence not only their current season but also Alvarez’s long-term performance and availability.