HOUSTON -- Astros slugger Yordan Alvarez, who has been out since May 2 with a fractured right hand and subsequent inflammation, will begin a Minor League rehab assignment and play “a few games” at Double-A Corpus Christi, which is a huge step towards his return to the lineup.
Astros manager Joe Espada said Sunday that Alvarez will be in the lineup Tuesday at designated hitter against the Frisco RoughRiders. Alvarez took eight at-bats in live batting practice Saturday in West Palm Beach, Fla., and then flew to Houston to be evaluated.
Speaking on the team’s pregame radio show Sunday on KBME-AM in Houston, general manager Dana Brown said Alvarez would play Tuesday, rest Wednesday and then play back-to-back games. Brown said Alvarez could return next weekend in Baltimore.
“It’s really good news,” Espada said before the Astros' series finale vs. the Orioles. “The fact he’s feeling better and we’re getting to a point where we can see him back is awesome.”
The hand injury played a role in Alvarez’s underwhelming .210/.306/.340 slash line with only three homers and 18 RBIs in 121 plate appearances this season. He was a force in Houston’s lineup last season, which was his fourth consecutive year hitting 30-plus home runs. He slashed .308/.392/.567 with 35 homers and 86 RBIs, earned his third consecutive American League All-Star nod and was named the team’s Most Valuable Player.
Astros outfielder Jake Meyers, who’s been out since July 10 with a right calf strain, could also be close to going out on a Minor League rehab assignment.
“Once we get the full team back on the field, I think it’s going to be really exciting,” Espada said.
Alvarez originally hurt his hand swinging the bat in a game in late April, but he kept playing through the pain because he’s dealt with similar injuries in the past. He was scratched from the Astros’ lineup before the May 3 game against the White Sox in Chicago and went on the injured list May 5.
He was originally diagnosed with a muscle strain in his right hand following a May 6 MRI exam. The swelling and inflammation in the hand prevented the team from seeing what turned out to be a fracture of the fourth metacarpal. The team announced on May 31 that Alvarez had a fracture that was 60 percent healed, calling it a “small fracture.”
Alvarez took batting practice on the field at Daikin Park on June 28 and reported to West Palm Beach on June 29 to ramp up his rehab with live batting practice. He took some dry swings on June 30, but then he reported to the facility on July 1 with more pain in his hand, prompting a visit to a hand specialist.
He received two injections into his hand on July 2 to help reduce inflammation and took some time off before resuming swinging the bat. The team said Alvarez has received injections in his hand previously while on the injured list this season.