Houston Astros slugger Yordan Alvarez has encountered a setback with his fractured right hand, prompting the team to schedule a consultation with a specialist, according to general manager Dana Brown before Tuesday’s away game against the Colorado Rockies. Alvarez’s return to the lineup has been delayed as the injury recovery faces unexpected difficulties.
Details on Alvarez’s Rehabilitation and Current Status
Alvarez has been sidelined for two months due to the injury. Recently, he resumed batting practice in Houston on Saturday and then traveled to West Palm Beach, Florida, on Sunday to advance his rehabilitation. However, after taking dry swings on Monday, Alvarez reported soreness in his hand the next day, leading the Astros to revise their plans for his recovery.
Team Leaders Address Alvarez’s Setback
General manager Dana Brown expressed the team‘s cautious approach amid the setback:
“It’s a tough pill to swallow, but at the end of the day his health is the most important thing here,”
Brown said.
“And so, we’ll let him take the time that he needs to get completely healed. At this point, the team is playing very well. We’re 16 games over .500, we’re six (games) up in the division, and so we’ll take our time and let him continue to heal.”
He also remained hopeful about receiving positive updates soon:
“Hopefully it won’t be much longer and we’ll get some good news in the next 48 hours.”
Brown acknowledged that the news was disappointing, given Alvarez’s recent progress:
“We felt like he was close because he had felt so good of late,”
he continued.
“And so this is certainly news that we didn’t want.”
Alvarez’s Career Impact and Current Season Performance
Alvarez, who last appeared in a game on May 2, is batting .210 with three home runs and 18 RBIs across 29 games this season. The three-time All-Star has demonstrated consistent power, hitting more than 30 homers in each of the previous four years, and holds a career slugging percentage of .573, underscoring his importance to Houston’s offensive lineup.
Manager’s Response and Team Adjustments
Astros manager Joe Espada remains optimistic despite the setback:
“He is doing everything in his power to get back,”
Espada stated.
“He’s staying optimistic and I’m staying optimistic with him. So we’ve just got to give it time and hopefully his hand heals and we get him back in our lineup.”
In response to the injury challenges within the team, Houston recalled utility player Shay Whitcomb from Triple-A Sugar Land a day after placing shortstop Jeremy Pena on the 10-day injured list due to a fractured rib. Whitcomb, 26, has appeared in seven games this season for the Astros but is yet to record a hit in nine at-bats. In Triple-A, he has a batting average of .280 with 19 home runs and 43 RBIs in 60 games.
Looking Ahead: Recovery and Team Outlook
The Yordan Alvarez hand injury setback introduces uncertainty for the Astros as they balance his recovery with the team’s strong performance. Leading the division and playing well over .500, Houston can afford to prioritize Alvarez’s long-term health. With specialists scheduled to assess his condition shortly, the team and fans alike await clearer indications of his return timeline and hope to see their key power hitter back sooner rather than later.