Houston Astros designated hitter Yordan Alvarez has encountered a setback in recovering from a broken right hand and will pause his rehabilitation to consult a medical specialist, according to the Associated Press. This development occurred during spring training in Florida, where Alvarez first felt renewed pain upon arrival Tuesday after earlier workouts and batting practice.
Details on Alvarez’s Injury and Current Status
Alvarez participated in batting practice on Saturday before discomfort in his right hand reemerged. Astros general manager Dana Brown described the situation, emphasizing caution and the importance of proper healing. Alvarez has not played since May 2 against the Chicago White Sox, initially diagnosed with a muscle strain before imaging later revealed a small fracture.
The team decided to shut Alvarez down temporarily while they seek further evaluation from a specialist to determine the best course of action moving forward.
Team’s Response and Impact on Season Outlook
Brown acknowledged the frustration that comes with this setback, especially as Alvarez was showing signs of improvement and seemed close to returning.
“It’s a tough time going through this with Yordan, but I know that he’s still feeling pain and the soreness in his hand,”
Brown said prior to the team‘s series against Colorado. He added,
“We’re not going to try to push it or force him through anything. We’re just going to allow him to heal and get a little bit more answers as to what steps we take next.”
Brown also expressed disappointment about the news, noting,
“We felt like he was close because he had felt so good of late, but this is certainly news that we didn’t want.”
Alvarez’s Career and Importance to the Astros
At 28, Alvarez has posted an impressive career .387 on-base percentage, .573 slugging percentage, and a .959 OPS across seven MLB seasons. His presence as a powerful designated hitter makes this injury a notable setback for the Astros as they navigate the season without one of their key offensive players.
The Yankees, Mets, and Diamondbacks have made headlines recently, but all eyes remain on how the Astros will manage Alvarez’s recovery and how long it may take before he returns to active play.