The Astros just hit a major bump they didn’t see coming

Astros Yainer Diaz, Yordan Alvarez, Hunter Brown
Yordan Alvarez is still having issues with his hand. Composite Getty Image.

Houston Astros slugger Yordan Alvarez has experienced a setback in his recovery from a broken right hand and will see a specialist.

Astros general manager Dana Brown said Alvarez felt pain when he arrived Tuesday at the team's spring training complex in West Palm Beach, Florida, where he had a workout a day earlier. Alvarez also took batting practice Saturday at Daikin Park.

He will be shut down until he's evaluated by the specialist.

“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 before Tuesday night's series opener at Colorado. “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.”

Alvarez has been sidelined for nearly two months. The injury was initially diagnosed as a muscle strain, but when Alvarez felt pain again while hitting in late May, imaging revealed a small fracture.

The 28-year-old outfielder, who has hit 31 homers or more in each of the past four seasons, had been eyeing a return as soon as this weekend at the Los Angeles Dodgers. Now it's uncertain when he'll play.

“We felt like he was close because he had felt so good of late,” Brown said, “but this is certainly news that we didn't want.”

Also Tuesday, the Astros officially placed shortstop Jeremy Peña on the 10-day injured list with a fractured rib and recalled infielder Shay Whitcomb from Triple-A Sugar Land.

Most Popular

This team is loaded! Photo by Alex Slitz/Getty Images.

In today’s episode of First Take, Brian Windhorst, Tim Bontemps, and David Dennis Jr. break down what’s shaping up to be one of the most aggressive offseasons in the NBA, and it’s happening in Houston.

The Rockets are sending a clear message: they’re not here to wait around. With bold moves already on the board and the possibility of more to come, this front office is going all-in. But it’s not just about what they’ve done, it’s what it means.

According to Bontemps, even if the Rockets don’t make another single move, they’re already in the championship conversation.

From roster upgrades to long-term vision, the Rockets’ approach has the league watching closely. This episode unpacks the implications and why Houston’s time might be now.

Don't miss the video below to watch the full conversation!

___________________________

*ChatGPT assisted.

Looking to get the word out about your business, products, or services? Consider advertising on SportsMap! It's a great way to get in front of Houston sports fans. Click the link below for more information!

https://houston.sportsmap.com/advertise

Most Popular

SportsMap Emails
Are Awesome

Listen Live

ESPN Houston 97.5 FM