NEXT MAN UP
How latest injury update on Yordan Alvarez impacts Houston Astros moving forward
Jun 14, 2023, 12:21 pm
Yordan Alvarez could miss a month. Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images.
More bad news for the Astros, Yordan Alvarez
When it comes to injuries, the Houston Astros have already dealt with a boatload of them so far this season. Lance McCullers has yet to pitch for the team and suffered a setback that has him shutdown currently. Luis Garcia is out for the year (Tommy John) and Jose Urquidy is still working his way back from shoulder discomfort.
The offense was without Jose Altuve for a big chunk of the year, and Michael Brantley's shoulder has kept him from appearing so far this season. And somehow the Astros are sitting at 38-29, still in striking distance of first place in the division. However, things just got tougher for the 'Stros as Yordan Alvarez's oblique injury could keep him out for a month.
Houston GM Dana Brown joined the Astros flagship station on Wednesday and said it could be four weeks before Alvarez is ready to return to game action.
Speaking this morning on @SportsTalk790, Dana Brown made it sound like Yordan Alvarez is at least three weeks away from any sort of baseball activities. https://t.co/MKBvrqT3Ap
— Chandler Rome (@Chandler_Rome) June 14, 2023
If Yordan is feeling better in three weeks, it could take him a week or so to ramp up and get back to the field. This is very disappointing news for the team, as the offense has been the weak link this season, despite so many injuries to the pitching staff.
The Astros are currently 18th in OPS (.717) and 1st in team ERA (3.28). Losing Yordan for a month is a big blow to this team. Hopefully the bats can continue to improve as the team awaits the return of Yordan and possibly, at some point, Michael Brantley.
The Astros need to make some hay in June against some lesser teams in the National League. They are currently playing the Nationals, with the Reds and Mets coming to Minute Maid next. All three teams are under .500.
The Astros finish off the month against the Dodgers (38-29) and the bottom dwelling Cardinals (27-41). Then the Astros head to Arlington for a critical four game series against the Texas Rangers. Houston is currently 3 1/2 games behind the Rangers.
If the Astros are unable to make up some ground on the Rangers over the next few weeks, a series loss could be a serious blow to the Astros' chances of winning the AL West.
Hopefully, with Altuve in the fold and Jose Abreu starting to come to life, the Astros can stay afloat as they wait on the return of slugger Yordan Alvarez.
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Critical levers Astros can pull as health concerns, deadline pressures grow
Jul 10, 2025, 3:46 pm
Jake Meyers is the latest Astro to be rushed back from injury too soon. Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images.
Houston center fielder Jake Meyers was removed from Wednesday night’s game against Cleveland during pregame warmups because of right calf tightness.
Meyers, who had missed the last two games with a right calf injury, jogged onto the field before the game but soon summoned the training staff, who joined him on the field to tend to him. He remained on the field on one knee as manager Joe Espada joined the group. After a couple minutes, Meyers got up and was helped off the field and to the tunnel in right field by a trainer.
Mauricio Dubón moved from shortstop to center field and Zack Short entered the game to replace Dubón at shortstop.
Meyers is batting .308 with three homers and 21 RBIs this season.
After the game, Meyers met with the media and spoke about the injury. Meyers declined to answer when asked if the latest injury feels worse than the one he sustained Sunday. Wow, that is not a good sign.
Asked if this calf injury feels worse than the one he sustained on Sunday, Jake Meyers looked toward a team spokesman and asked "do I have to answer that?" He did not and then politely ended the interview.
— Chandler Rome (@Chandler_Rome) July 10, 2025
Lack of imaging strikes again!
The Athletic's Chandler Rome reported on Thursday that the Astros didn't do any imaging on Meyers after the initial injury. You can't make this stuff up. This is exactly the kind of thing that has the Astros return-to-play policy under constant scrutiny.
The All-Star break is right around the corner, why take the risk in playing Meyers after missing just two games with calf discomfort? The guy literally fell to the ground running out to his position before the game started. The people that make these risk vs. reward assessments clearly are making some serious mistakes.
The question remains: will the Astros finally do something about it?