The Houston Astros received another tough blow as superstar slugger Yordan Alvarez revealed his return from injury will take longer than expected, dealing a setback to an already challenged lineup.
Alvarez, who has been out since May 5 with what was initially diagnosed as right hand inflammation, was expected to be activated this weekend. However, after experiencing renewed discomfort, further testing revealed a small fracture in his right hand — a more serious issue than originally believed.
Astros general manager Dana Brown confirmed the development before the team’s 16-3 loss to the Tampa Bay Rays on Saturday, stating:
“We tried to get him back this weekend and then realized, ‘Look, if it’s still bothering you, then we probably need more imaging.’”
That imaging revealed a tiny fracture that had previously gone undetected due to swelling. Alvarez himself admitted he may have worsened the injury by attempting to play through the pain earlier in the season.
“Obviously I was very excited,” Alvarez said through an interpreter. “I thought I was on the verge of coming back. But I wasn’t comfortable. That’s when we decided to take another look.”
While there’s no exact return date, Brown noted the fracture has already begun to heal, and there’s optimism he won’t be out long-term. Still, his timeline has clearly shifted, and his absence will linger into at least mid-June, if not longer.
Alvarez, 27, was struggling by his standards before the injury, slashing just .210/.306/.340 with 3 home runs and 18 RBI — far below his career .959 OPS. The Astros were hopeful that a recent rehab batting practice session signaled he was close, but his hand discomfort told a different story.
Since Alvarez hit the IL, Houston has gone 15-12, keeping pace in the tight AL West race. The Astros (31-27) sit just behind the Mariners (31-26) in the standings. However, offensive production has been inconsistent without their star slugger.
Houston currently ranks:
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14th in OPS
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18th in runs scored
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18th in home runs
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7th in team batting average (.255)
Despite those mid-pack numbers, the absence of Alvarez’s bat is glaring. In 2024, he hit 35 home runs and posted a .308 batting average, marking his fourth consecutive 30+ homer season.
The designated hitter spot has been particularly underwhelming in his absence, with just 7 home runs, 25 RBI, and a .239/.309/.383 slash line.
The Astros entered the season with a revamped lineup, having traded Kyle Tucker to the Cubs and losing Alex Bregman to free agency (Red Sox). That’s put even more pressure on Alvarez to anchor the offense — a task that remains on hold for now.
While Alvarez’s recovery is progressing, the news of a fracture — however minor — underscores the fragile nature of the Astros’ postseason hopes. For now, Houston will have to continue grinding without their most dangerous hitter, hoping for a smoother path to full health in the weeks to come.
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