
Yordan Alvarez is feeling much better. Composite Getty Image.
Houston manager Joe Espada said Thursday injured slugger Yordan Alvarez is getting “really close” to returning to the lineup after sitting out with a hand injury for almost a month.
Alvarez, who has been out since May 3 with right hand inflammation, hit off a pitching machine Thursday before the Astros opened a four-games series with the Tampa Bay Rays.
“He’s getting really close,” Espada said. “This is the best I’ve seen him and this is the best he’s felt. So, really good news.”
Alvarez is scheduled to hit about 50 pitches off minor leaguers Friday as he moves closer to his return. Espada said they’re doing this so he can get game ready without going on a minor league rehabilitation assignment.
“That will be his way to kind of check that box and get ready for games,” Espada said.
The biggest obstacle to getting Alvarez back on the field has been to keep the inflammation away as he’s ramped up his activity.
“I felt good,” Alvarez said in Spanish through a translator after hitting Thursday. “Now I just have to wait to see how the hand reacts to the hitting. So hopefully I can return soon.”
Alvarez said it’s been difficult to be out for so long for an issue that at first was supposed to only keep him out a few days.
“Obviously… it’s been a little bit frustrating being on the IL because of my hand,” he said. “This is not a secret how difficult it is for a hitter to be dealing with hand pain. I’ve played hurt before, but obviously now with inflammation it’s a little bit different.”
He said his time on the injured list has lasted longer than expected because they’re trying to get him completely well so this isn’t something he’s dealing with for the rest of the season.
“This is something delicate,” he said. “I could have returned before but as soon as we saw the hand and how it reacted because of the inflammation, that’s why it’s been a little bit more time than I anticipated.”
The Astros know how to win these games, and it shows
Jun 29, 2025, 4:28 pm
Jose Altuve hit a two-run homer and Framber Valdez tossed six shutout innings, and the Houston Astros beat the Chicago Cubs 2-0 on Sunday.
Altuve’s 13th home run of the season broke a scoreless tie in the fifth inning. It was his first extra base hit in 34 at bats and the Astros' only extra base hit of the game.
ALTUVE FOR THE LEAD!!!#BuiltForThis pic.twitter.com/1rX89783yx
— Houston Astros (@astros) June 29, 2025
Valdez (9-4) struck out six while allowing five hits and two walks.
Starring The Framchise.#BuiltForThis x @budweiserusa pic.twitter.com/sNReaztMjl
— Houston Astros (@astros) June 29, 2025
Only one man reached third base against him. He exited with two on and nobody out in the seventh, but Bryan Abreu replaced him and retired Michael Busch, Vidal Bruján and Ian Happ to work out of trouble.
Abreu pitched a 1-2-3 eighth inning. He struck out four of the six men he faced.
Josh Hader retired the side in order in the ninth inning to convert on his franchise record 23rd straight save opportunity to start the season.
Jameson Taillon (7-6) matched zeroes with Valdez until Altuve’s home run on his 107th and final pitch of his outing. He struck out four while giving up five hits and one walk over 4 2/3 innings.
The bullpen trio of Ryan Brasier, Ryan Pressly and Brad Keller held the Astros to two hits over 3 1/3 innings.
Key Moment
Altuve’s fifth inning, two-run homer to break the scoreless tie.
Key Stat
The Astros are unbeaten in their last 11 series, dating back to May 22, going 9-0-2 in that span.
Up Next
The Cubs open a three-game series against the Guardians on Tuesday with LHP Matthew Boyd (7-3 2.65 ERA) against RHP Gavin Williams (5-3 3.68 ERA).
The Astros open a three-game series at the Rockies on Tuesday with LHP Colton Gordon (3-1 3.98 ERA) against RHP Chase Dollander (2-8 6.06 EA).