Astros GM Dana Brown discussed star slugger Yordan Alvarez’s health during an appearance on an ESPN game broadcast today, telling ESPN broadcasters that “He should definitely be back for Opening Day. His hands were a little sore. He had some of that last year, but we feel totally confident that he’ll be in games somewhere midway through (Spring Training). But he’s already feeling a lot better.”
The news that Alvarez should be ready for opening day is surely a relief for Astros fans, as the slugger is among the most important players in the star-studded Astros lineup that took home a World Series championship in 2022. Alvarez hit an astonishing .306/.406/.613 with 37 home runs in just 135 games last season. By measure of wRC+, Alvarez was 85% better than the league average hitter in 2022, a fantastic figure only topped by reigning AL MVP Aaron Judge last year.
As Brown mentioned, Alvarez dealt with hand issues throughout the 2022 season, going on the injured list in July and missing time with the issue occasionally throughout the season. Those issues clearly did not hamper his production in 2022, so the fact that Alvarez is not expected to miss time to open the regular season is an encouraging development as he looks to follow up on a season that cemented him among the best hitters in the entire sport and the Astros look to hold off the Mariners, Angels, and Rangers in an AL West that should see all four clubs vying for playoff spots this season. That being said, the situation will remain one to keep an eye on until Alvarez returns to game action, as he’s currently slated to do next month.
More from around the American League…
- Yankees second baseman Gleyber Torres did a Q&A with The Athletic’s Chris Kirschner today, where the pair discussed an area of topics, including the recent trade rumors that have swirled around Torres. In the interview, Torres notes that he loves playing in New York and would like to spend the rest of his career with the Yankees, though he did note that hearing about the trade rumors was “really hard”, particularly around the trade deadline last season, and that though his representatives have spoken to the front office about a possible extension, he hasn’t had any conversations with GM Brian Cashman or Manager Aaron Boone on the subject personally. Torres, who slashed .257/.310/.451 (115 wRC+) last year, is set to hit free agency following the 2024 campaign.
- Another player who found himself in the rumor mill this offseason was Mariners right-hander Chris Flexen. As Flexen told Ryan Divish of The Seattle Times and other reporters, the experience of expecting a trade was a harrowing one for him, as well. “It wasn’t the best, but I’m still wearing ‘Mariners’ across my chest. I’m happy to be here.” Flexen was pushed to the bullpen down the stretch last season following Seattle’s acquisition of ace Luis Castillo, and there doesn’t appear to be a clearer path to the rotation entering 2023, though the Mariners are currently stretching him out in case of injury. Still, Flexen excelled out of the bullpen in 2022, posting a 1.62 ERA in 16 2/3 innings as a reliever last year, so a return to the bullpen could still see Flexen impact the club in a major way headed into the regular season.
Regardless of what Torres wants, he will likely get traded for a leftfielder, when Anthony Volpe is ready to play 2nd base in the majors later on in the season.
I’m going to keep Flexen and think more on trading Gonzales. It seems like every year Marco takes time to get his grove on. He gives up 3,or 4 runs before you have time to get up out of your seat to go get a beer, and if you take the time to get garlic fry’s another run or two scores, his era. is somewhere over 4 which how good is that? So far this spring he looks like he’s in familiar form again.
That’s easy for you to say, but you need to trade the player other teams want. The reasons you prefer Flexen are the same reasons also would prefer him.
*other teams also would prefer him.
You’re the reason of a sound mind ,and good judgement. All right so I exaggerated some.. Last year Margo was the 5th starter Fl;exen was then sent to the pen, they both have some missteps but for that matter so had Ray just to say things can and do happen. Margo throws nothing but soft stuff if he’s not on look out, bombs away. It’s starting to become what the coaches expect from him instead of what he delivers for them. Consistency is becoming less reliable with him but I’m using it all the more. They will pickup more wins with Flexen than they will with Gonzales. They will need all the more wins they can get since you won’t be able to beat up on Texas or LA. anymore.. I know Marco’s contract is a detriment but I’m willing to make a package deal how about you?
@lee cousins: I am not a Mariners fan, so it’s not an issue I care or have an opinion about.
So what’ your angle here? If you’re not a Mariners fan, then what are you? Don’t be a loser.. All I can say is good things about your picture then,.. damn you’re good looking.
@lee cousins: Why must there be an angle? Is it not OK to be a baseball fan stating a fact? And thanks!
Lee Cousins- when I think of the debate of whether to trade Marco or Flexen, I like to think back to the start of the 2021 season- 1 year and 60g into the rebuild. Marco was not only the M’s future, he was the 2021 Opening Day SP. The SP1* by default.
The popular debate then was “we know Marco is the 2021 OD Starter (by default) but, if he was in a better rotation where would he pitch?” Is he an SP3, SP4 or SP5?
Marco ‘can’t buy a break!’ Why? Now that he is the obvious 5th Starter half the Seattle fan base wants him traded!! I wonder what Seattle (and other baseball) fans expect out of a 5th Starter? I mean realistically- what is a realistic expectation from an SP5? It sure seems like a lot of Mariners fans have exceedingly high expectations of an SP5.
I would ask M’s fans to look at the 29 other SP5’s around the League. See whats thrown out there every 5th day. They’d see that Marco is not only a great asset for the rotation he is pound for pound one of the better 5th Starters the team has had.
My best response would be get more out of a fifth starter. Then things will get even better.
Again, the wrong Castillo is linked. Good times.
Luis Castillo rocking a fine Sod Poodles hat.
Where do the Padres get all their money? I thought we were in an inflation so Many Machado won’t be in no soup line.
Is the soup line where you found this word soup?
What the hell?
Hope there is not many Machados after what one cost them!
So many Machado, so little time.
1 Machado, 2 Machado’s, 3 Machado’s 4..
..
What in the world?
Yanks can save 40 million next year by moving Hicks, Torres, and Donaldson . That gives them money for Ohtani. They can keep Torres at second and put Volpe at 3rd too, He reminds me of a young Bregman with speed.
So… Flexen? This comment belongs in a NYY thread.
You have to have somewhere to move them TO.
I doubt anyone takes on those contracts so they will have to pay them or mostly anyway. Little or no savings.
Padres will be there too several years down the road.
At least they’re going for it instead of acting like small market losers and brainwashing their clueless fanbase.
You can’t keep Torres at second if you move him
I was about to reply him the same thing but read it again and noticed the TOO at the end as an option. So let’s give Slider 32 a break.
Who would want them?
They won’t be able to move the salaries for Hicks and Donaldson.
Friendly reminder that the Yankees are worth North of 6bn, and play in the biggest baseball market in the world. They already have money for Shohei..
Several teams do. It will come down to where he chooses to play, not who has the most money. Why do you and other Yankees fans assume they are every player’s first choice?
Huh? Where did I say the Yankees are Shohei’s first choice? They’re obviously not. His first choice is … again, obviously … the Angels.
I said that the Yankees have the money for him without selling or trading anyone.
P.S. Why are all Yankee haters functionally illiterate?
Huh? Where did I say I hate the Yankees? I have probably seen more games at all three iterations of Yankee Stadium than you have.
PS – No need to make a dumb, mindless generalization to ask why are YOU functionally illiterate?
If Flexen continues to pitch like he has, he’ll be a good trade chip to have come July to augment something else if need be.
With yet another catcher injury (Josh Breaux), it seems less likely that IKF will be traded, since he also has experience behind the dish.
How about some new material already? Nothing on training camp? This Harry ford seems to be handling himself well Is there a promotion possibly in the works?