Alvarez scratched with hand injury; Astros hoping for quick return

CHICAGO -- Astros slugger Yordan Alvarez, who has gotten off to a slow start this season, was scratched from the lineup prior to Saturday’s game against the White Sox at Rate Field with inflammation in his right hand.

Astros manager Joe Espada said Alvarez had been dealing with the issue “for a few days,” and he took some swings in the batting cage prior to Saturday’s game and didn’t feel right. Victor Caratini started at DH in Alvarez’s place.

“I”m going to give him a day just to see if he feels better to be able to play tomorrow,” Espada said. “It’s just been sore for a couple of days and created some inflammation, kind of on the side of his right hand. We’re going to give him a day.”

Alvarez is slashing .210/.306/.340 in 100 at-bats this season with three homers and 18 RBIs. He was 0-for-4 in Friday’s series opener in Chicago.

Alvarez is coming off his fourth consecutive 30-plus-homer season, one in which he slashed .308/.392/.567 with 35 homers and 86 RBIs. He earned his third consecutive American League All-Star nod and was named the team’s Most Valuable Player in 2024.

After starting 53 games in left field last year, Alvarez has started only six in left this season and 23 at designated hitter. Espada said in Spring Training he’d like to limit Alvarez’s exposure to left field to help keep his knees healthy.

Alvarez was on the injured list in July 2022 with right hand inflammation. He reported to Spring Training in 2023 with a sore left hand.