Inside the chaos surrounding Yordan Alvarez and the Astros
ON SECOND THOUGHT
02 June 2025
Houston's most alarming trend isn't on the field. Composite Getty Image.
The Houston Astros have long prided themselves on being a model organization — sharp, calculated, and ahead of the curve. But in this episode, we take a closer look at a story that’s raised eyebrows across the fanbase and inside the clubhouse: a troubling pattern of questionable decisions from the team’s medical staff.
It starts with a surprising face — the Astros’ own hand specialist, recently honored with the ceremonial first pitch. Behind the scenes, however, a different narrative is unfolding. Kyle Tucker was initially diagnosed with a “bone bruise,” only for it to later be revealed as a fracture. Yordan Alvarez played through three weeks of inflammation without undergoing proper imaging — a decision that’s baffling.
This isn’t just a string of bad breaks. It’s a series of red flags that call into question the protocols — or lack thereof — behind Houston’s return-to-play decisions. We examine whether these are isolated mistakes or signs of something more systemic. What does “60% healed” or “70% ready” actually mean when you’re managing the health of elite athletes?
In a season where every game counts, misdiagnosing key players isn’t just risky — it could be catastrophic.
Be sure to watch the video below as ESPN Houston John Granato and Lance Zierlien break it all down!
*ChatGPT assisted.
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José Soriano and two relievers combined for a two-hitter and Oswald Peraza hit his first home run since a trade from the Yankees to lead the Los Angeles Angels to a 3-0 win over the Houston Astros on Sunday.
Soriano (10-9) allowed one hit and struck out eight in seven innings. Luis García allowed one hit in a scoreless eighth and Kenley Jansen threw a perfect ninth for his 25th save.
There were two outs in the fifth when Peraza connected off Hunter Brown (10-7) into the bullpen in right-center field to put the Angels up 1-0. His homer comes after his two-run single in the ninth inning Saturday helped Los Angeles to a 4-1 victory that snapped a three-game skid.
Yoan Moncada walked to start the eighth and scored on Mike Trout’s double that bounced off the wall in center field to make it 2-0. Taylor Ward walked before Luis Rengifo reached and Trout scored on an error by Lance McCullers Jr. when the pitcher overthrew first base.
Yordan Alvarez singled with no outs in the first and Soriano walked a batter in the second and sixth innings. The Astros didn’t get another hit until Ramón Urías doubled with one out in the eighth inning. Los Angeles outfielder Taylor Ward was injured trying to make a catch on that hit when he crashed face-first into the metal scoreboard in left field.
He was carted off the field holding a towel to the right side of his face. He was taken to a hospital by ambulance where interim manager Ray Montgomery said he would receive stitches to close the cut and be evaluated.
Brown allowed three hits and a run with five strikeouts in six innings. McCullers Jr. allowed three hits and two runs in his first relief appearance since 2018.
Key moment
The home run by Peraza.
Key stat
It’s the fifth time the Astros have been shut out this month.
Up next
LHP Yusei Kikuchi (6-9, 3.68 ERA) will start for Los Angeles in the series finale Monday against RHP Luis Garcia, who’ll make his return after sitting out since May 2023 recovering from Tommy John surgery.
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