The Houston Astros are on the verge of reintegrating Yordan Alvarez as they seek to revitalize their slumping offense and maintain their lead in the American League West. Alvarez, a three-time All-Star and the 2021 ALCS MVP, has begun a rehab assignment after taking eight live at-bats during a recent session in Florida. His presence is highly anticipated, considering he has been restricted to just 29 games and 100 plate appearances this season due to injuries.
Alvarez’s current offensive statistics reflect his limited playtime and setbacks: a .210 batting average, .304 on-base percentage, .340 slugging percentage, three home runs, and seven runs scored, accompanied by a negative Wins Above Replacement (bWAR) of minus-0.4. His last major league game occurred on May 2, when he fractured his hand during a contest against the Chicago White Sox.
Astros’ Offensive Decline and AL West Race Tightening
Houston holds a narrow 1.5-game advantage over the Seattle Mariners in the race for the AL West title, yet their offense has struggled significantly since July 1. Their record over that span stands at 19-21, and their post-All-Star break performance is 13-15. The Astros rank 21st among Major League Baseball teams in runs scored, with 530 tallied this season, and sit in the middle of the pack at 15th in slugging percentage with .402.
The severity of their offensive woes was on full display during a recent series against the Baltimore Orioles, where Houston was shut out twice and suffered a lopsided 12-0 loss in the finale. The absence of Alvarez has left a noticeable gap in the lineup, given his reputation for power hitting, with a career slugging percentage of .573 and an average of over 30 home runs per season over the past four years.
Astros manager Joe Espada expressed cautious optimism regarding Alvarez’s recovery, stating,
It’s really good news. The fact he’s feeling better and we’re getting to a point where we can see him back is awesome.
Alvarez will begin his rehab at Triple-A Sugar Land and could rejoin the major league roster as soon as the Astros’ next series in Baltimore.
Compounding Injury Issues Affecting Houston’s Roster Depth
Alvarez’s hand injury proved more complicated than initially expected. Originally diagnosed as a muscular strain following an MRI on May 6, the injury was later revealed to be a fracture after swelling and discomfort emerged during preparations for his rehab stint. This delayed his recovery and contributed to his extended absence.
The Astros’ injury list extends beyond Alvarez. Closer Josh Hader is sidelined with an arm injury that may keep him out for the remainder of the regular season. Starting pitcher Cristian Javier left his most recent outing early due to illness, raising concerns over Houston’s pitching availability, especially as he recently returned from Tommy John surgery.
To address further gaps, Houston brought back Carlos Correa following a season-ending hamstring injury sustained by starting third baseman Isaac Paredes. Second baseman Brendan Rodgers has faced numerous setbacks, limited to just 43 games this season amid a left oblique strain and complications from a fractured nose and concussion sustained during a rehab assignment. Additionally, Luis Garcia has yet to make his 2023 season debut, and Lance McCullers remains on the 10-day injured list.
Signs of Recovery and Possible Turning Point for the Astros
Despite these challenges, Houston is beginning to see promising signs of recovery among key players. Lance McCullers recently pitched in a rehab game, delivering 80 pitches over five innings, during which he struck out five while allowing one run on four hits. Luis Garcia is also nearing a return, bolstering the Astros’ pitching options.
The reintroduction of Yordan Alvarez could serve as a pivotal moment in the Astros‘ push to regain offensive momentum and solidify their position atop the AL West. With the division race tightening and postseason aspirations on the line, Alvarez’s comeback is expected to boost morale and provide much-needed firepower for the Houston lineup facing tough rivals.