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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Alperen Sengun had 32 points and 14 rebounds, and the Houston Rockets held on to beat the Memphis Grizzlies 119-115 on Thursday night in a showdown between two of the top teams in the Western Conference.
Jalen Green finished with 27 points and Fred VanVleet scored 22 as the Rockets won their third straight and solidified their hold on second place in the Western Conference, moving 1 1/2 games ahead of Memphis.
Ja Morant scored 27 points in his return from a five-game absence with a shoulder injury, and Jaren Jackson Jr. added 21 points, eight rebounds and six blocks for Memphis. Desmond Bane had 16 points.
Houston dominated the inside early, scoring 20 points in the paint before the halfway point of the first quarter. Memphis initially couldn't stop anything at the rim. Houston opened a 17-point lead before taking a 68-63 advantage at the break.
Takeaways
Rockets: Houston is 12-5 on the road, including six straight wins away from home.
Grizzlies: After allowing the Rockets to score inside and build a big lead, Memphis chipped into the advantage to make it a more competitive game.
Key moment
With 3.8 seconds left in the game and Houston leading 117-114, Bane fired up a 3-pointer that rattled in. But Memphis coach Taylor Jenkins called timeout before the shot was made. Bane was fouled on the ensuing inbounds, and Memphis wouldn't get another chance for a winning shot.
Key stat
Houston is 19-3 when they score at least 110. Houston hasn't allowed more than 115 points in past 15 games.
Up next
The Rockets are at Atlanta on Saturday. Memphis travels to Minnesota to face the Timberwolves on Saturday.