The Houston Astros present a fascinating paradox. Through early July, they sit at a 52-34 record, which puts them at the top of the AL West with a 7.0 game lead. Their success is due to the pitching staff that has been dominant all season, ranking third in the league with an impressive 3.49 team ERA. But their run to the World Series very much depends on the health of one man, their superstar slugger Yordan Alvarez. Now, a recent update has shed light on when their biggest bat might finally return.
Astros have offered some encouraging news about Alvarez. According to MLB. com’s Brian McTaggart, the primary source of Alvarez’s pain is no longer the bone. The main cause of his current pain is rather the “inflammation.” A hand specialist has diagnosed that the small fracture he suffered is now a “non-factor in the discomfort.”
To address the inflammation issue, Alvarez received two cortisone injections on Wednesday. For the next few days, he will rest his hand completely. This treatment was in line with the Astros’ medical reports. The specialist verified them and “concurred with the findings of the Astros’ medical staff.”
Astros’ update on Alvarez pic.twitter.com/aNWbwsPmJ4
— Brian McTaggart (@brianmctaggart) July 3, 2025
Alvarez had reported renewed pain after ramping up his baseball activities, which included on-field batting practice. So, what’s the timeline for his return now? The Astros are understandably refusing to put a set date for his return. GM Dana Brown says they will see how Alvarez does “once he starts to hold the bat” without pain.
We can probably establish at this point is that a return before August is very unlikely. The focus is now on letting the inflammation fully subside. To truly grasp the current scenario, let’s look at the frustrating timeline that brought us here.
The Alvarez conundrum: Can the Astros survive?
In late April, the issue came up when Alvarez first felt pain. At the time, it was thought to be a minor issue; he continued to play through it, unknowingly worsening the issue. His pre-injury numbers tell the story of a compromised player. He was hitting just .210 with a .646 OPS, which is that of a different player altogether.
It wasn’t until May 3 that Alvarez went on the injured list. At first, it was reported to be simple inflammation —but that narrative collapsed on May 31. The team then revealed he had a small fracture that was likely hidden by the initial swelling.
Even with the new diagnosis, optimism grew in late June as Alvarez began hitting again. With a little luck, he could be back before the All-Star break. However, that hope vanished on July 1. Alvarez experienced soreness after taking dry swings, prompting an immediate shutdown. He looked frustrated when he told reporters, “I wish I had a magic ball to tell you [when I’ll return].”
His second major setback prompted the most recent visit to a specialist, leading to the current focus on inflammation.
So why is the team’s (already 36-20 in 56 games without him) fate so tied to one player? A look at his replacements tells the whole story. The cleanup spot has become a black hole. First baseman Christian Walker and catcher Yainer Diaz have both struggled big time, putting up an OPS that is very low at around .648.
Their inconsistency stands in stark contrast to what Alvarez provides. His career OPS+ of 163 means he has put up a performance that is 63% better than a league-average hitter throughout his career. The collective lack of performance from the next men up clearly indicates that Alvarez is simply irreplaceable for the Astros at this point.
His absence also presents a strategic problem. In the absence of Yordan, the lineup shifts heavily towards right-handed bats, which is a huge problem against right-handed pitching specialists. It may pose a significant problem in October.
So, the question remains: Can the Astros’ pitching carry them all the way, or will their championship hopes fade unless their superstar slugger returns? Share your thoughts below.
The post Astros Drop Yordan Alvarez Injury Update Amid Fracture Scare With Postseason Hopes in Balance appeared first on EssentiallySports.
