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Houston Texans add former Pro Bowl linebacker to bolster defense

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Devin White signed with the Texans. Composite Getty Image.

Linebacker Devin White, who made the Pro Bowl in 2021, signed with the Houston Texans on Wednesday.

White signed a one-year contract with the Eagles this offseason but didn’t play before being released earlier this month. He was inactive for the first four games and then ruled out of the fifth game because of personal reasons before his release.

White was the fifth overall pick in the 2019 draft and spent five seasons with the Buccaneers before signing with the Eagles. He started 75 games for Tampa Bay where he had 364 solo tackles, 23 sacks, six forced fumbles and nine fumble recoveries.

In his Pro Bowl season in 2021 he started each game and had 87 solo tackles, 3½ sacks and a fumble recovery.

The Texans could use depth at the position with linebackers Azeez Al-Shaair (knee) and Henry To’oTo’o (concussion) dealing with injuries.

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The Astros can breathe a sigh of relief.Photo by Christopher Pasatieri/Getty Images.

Houston Astros slugger Yordan Alvarez has a strained muscle at the top of his right hand, a diagnosis that instills optimism he won’t have a prolonged stay on the injured list.

The three-time All-Star went on the 10-day injured list Monday, retroactive to Saturday, and returned to Houston for an MRI that revealed the muscle strain.

“We look at it as good news,” Astros manager Joe Espada said before their Wednesday afternoon game with the Milwaukee Brewers.

Espada expressed hope that Alvarez wouldn’t have to stay on the injured list longer than the required 10 days. He also said the hand issue may have played a role in Alvarez’s slow start.

Alvarez, 27, is hitting .210 with a .306 on-base percentage, three homers and 18 RBIs in 29 games this season. He batted .308 with a .392 on-base percentage, 35 homers and 86 RBIs in 147 games last year while ranking ninth in the AL Most Valuable Player balloting.

He has posted an OPS of at least .959 and has finished 13th or higher in the MVP voting each of the last three seasons.

“Once he heals, once he gets back, I think we’ll see a more aggressive at bat and be not as cautious,” Espada said. “I think it had something to do with it, yes.”

His potential return could go a long way toward boosting an Astros lineup that hasn’t been as productive as usual this season. The Astros entered Wednesday’s action ranked 21st in the majors in runs (136) and 23rd in OPS (.676). Houston has ranked 11th or better in both those categories each of the last four seasons.

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