Headlines

  • Red Sox Place Hunter Dobbins On 15-Day IL Due To ACL Tear
  • Astros Promote Brice Matthews
  • Red Sox Likely To Activate Alex Bregman Tomorrow
  • Phillies Reportedly Targeting Controllable Relievers
  • Yankees Prioritizing Pitching, Also Searching For Infield Help
  • Orioles Trade Bryan Baker To Rays
  • Previous
  • Next
Register
Login
  • Hoops Rumors
  • Pro Football Rumors
  • Pro Hockey Rumors

MLB Trade Rumors

Remove Ads
  • Home
  • Teams
    • AL East
      • Baltimore Orioles
      • Boston Red Sox
      • New York Yankees
      • Tampa Bay Rays
      • Toronto Blue Jays
    • AL Central
      • Chicago White Sox
      • Cleveland Guardians
      • Detroit Tigers
      • Kansas City Royals
      • Minnesota Twins
    • AL West
      • Houston Astros
      • Los Angeles Angels
      • Oakland Athletics
      • Seattle Mariners
      • Texas Rangers
    • NL East
      • Atlanta Braves
      • Miami Marlins
      • New York Mets
      • Philadelphia Phillies
      • Washington Nationals
    • NL Central
      • Chicago Cubs
      • Cincinnati Reds
      • Milwaukee Brewers
      • Pittsburgh Pirates
      • St. Louis Cardinals
    • NL West
      • Arizona Diamondbacks
      • Colorado Rockies
      • Los Angeles Dodgers
      • San Diego Padres
      • San Francisco Giants
  • About
    • MLB Trade Rumors
    • Tim Dierkes
    • Writing team
    • Advertise
    • Archives
  • Contact
  • Tools
    • 2025 Trade Deadline Outlook Series
    • 2025-26 MLB Free Agent List
    • Contract Tracker
    • Transaction Tracker
    • Agency Database
  • NBA/NFL/NHL
    • Hoops Rumors
    • Pro Football Rumors
    • Pro Hockey Rumors
  • App
  • Chats
Go To Pro Hockey Rumors
Go To Hoops Rumors

Yordan Alvarez, Jose Urquidy To Begin Rehab Assignments

By Steve Adams | July 13, 2023 at 12:30pm CDT

Slugger Yordan Alvarez and starter Jose Urquidy will begin minor league rehab assignments with the Astros’ Triple-A affiliate tomorrow, the team announced. Houston has been without Alvarez for five weeks due to an oblique strain. Urquidy has been out more than two months due to shoulder troubles. Alvarez figures to be the first of the pair back to the active roster; Urquidy hasn’t pitched since late April and will surely require multiple rehab starts with full rest between them before reemerging as a rotation option. Still, it’s welcome news for an injury-plagued Astros club that is lacking both in the lineup and the rotation at the moment.

In recent weeks, general manager Dana Brown has publicly declared his two top needs at the trade deadline to be a left-handed bat and a starting pitcher. For much of the summer, Brown had suggested the bat was the larger priority, but just yesterday he flipped the script and indicated that pitching help is perhaps an even greater need. That’s understandable, as the ’Stros have not only been without Urquidy but also Lance McCullers Jr. (season-ending flexor surgery) and Luis Garcia (Tommy John surgery). To top it off, ace Framber Valdez has been pitching through a sprained ankle in recent weeks, while righty Cristian Javier had his most recent start skipped to “give him a breather” after a run of poor results, per Brown.

The looming returns of Alvarez and Urquidy — barring any setbacks during their respective rehab stints — surely doesn’t quell the Astros’ desire to add help in either area. Brown’s comments on his team’s needs were made with full knowledge that both players would be returning at some point before the deadline (or perhaps shortly after, in Urquidy’s case). Even if both could be inserted into the lineup immediately after the break, the Astros would still have glaring needs.

In the rotation, Houston is currently relying on Valdez and a trio of inexperienced arms: top prospect Hunter Brown, swingman Brandon Bielak and rookie J.P. France. Presumably, Javier will rejoin the group after the break, and the Astros have also taken looks at righties Ronel Blanco and Shawn Dubin — both currently in Triple-A. There’s minimal depth beyond that group, and France’s strong 3.26 ERA to date isn’t supported by his shakier under-the-surface numbers. Most of the team’s young arms are also already nearing last year’s season-long workload; their innings could present concerns in the final 72 games.

Adding Alvarez and his characteristically excellent .277/.388/.589 batting line (and 17 homers) back into the lineup will be an obvious boon, but the Astros likely need more help than that. Jose Altuve is back on the injured list due to an oblique strain of his own, and Houston hitters have been a middle-of-the-pack group overall. The Astros rank 10th in the Majors in runs scored (417), 17th in batting average (.247), 19th in on-base percentage (.316) and 14th in slugging percentage (.407). The only left-handed bat in the lineup with Alvarez out has been outfielder Kyle Tucker. The hope had been that Michael Brantley would make his season debut soon, but manager Dusty Baker revealed earlier this month that the veteran hitter had “plateaued” in his efforts to make it back from 2022 shoulder surgery; a timetable for his return remains unclear.

Share 0 Retweet 0 Send via email0

Houston Astros Jose Urquidy Yordan Alvarez

Who Could The Pirates Trade At The Deadline?
Main
Dodgers Have Shown Interest In Lucas Giolito
View Comments (21)
Post a Comment

21 Comments

  1. mlb fan

    2 years ago

    Astros, release the Kraken.

    Reply
  2. laswagn

    2 years ago

    So has Othani been traded to the Dodgers yet?

    Reply
    • Old York

      2 years ago

      @laswagn

      MLB wants drama so it’ll be near the end of the deadline and we’ll have so many rumors like:

      Padres planning to trade for Ohtani
      Twins close to trading for Ohtani
      Braves talking to Angels about Ohtani
      Dodgers trade their whole farm system, including all players from Rookie, A-ball, AA and AAA for Ohtani.

      2
      Reply
      • mlb fan

        2 years ago

        That’s what MSM is. Lots of unsourced, attention-grabbing, salacious rumors, innuendo, speculation and sound bites, but little substance, specificity or facts.

        3
        Reply
      • rabidrabbit

        2 years ago

        @OldYork Nice one..lol’ed out loud

        1
        Reply
        • DUDDUS

          2 years ago

          But lol means “laugh out loud” :0

          1
          Reply
        • rabidrabbit

          2 years ago

          @DUDDUS Whoops, good point.. It was extra loud, though, so maybe I could give that excuse 😛

          1
          Reply
    • Samuel

      2 years ago

      3 days ago.

      Where you been?

      1
      Reply
      • laswagn

        2 years ago

        On a 3 1/2 week vacation, visiting our beautiful National Parks 😉

        Reply
  3. steven st croix

    2 years ago

    With Yordan, they are top 5 in the league.

    1
    Reply
  4. dano62

    2 years ago

    Funny, another site said it’s Alvarez & Altuve to start the rehab together; certainly the team needs Uriquidy more

    2
    Reply
  5. ChazzyB

    2 years ago

    Excited for the 2nd half. I hope we call up Singleton & send down Madris…transfer Forrest Whitley to the 60 day IL retroactive to the when he initially got hurt to make room on the 40 man. Then I’d also send Hensley down & call up Shay Whitcomb. DFA Bannon to make room on the 40 man. Our bench just needs some more help of guys who can contribute offensively. Hensley hasn’t cut it this year & Whitcomb/Singleton look to be ready to contribute. I’m all for 2nd chances with Jon & with how he’s performing, he certainly deserves the shot.

    2
    Reply
    • stroh

      2 years ago

      Totally agree. Madris & Hensley are takin up roster space better used by Singleton and Whitcomb.
      Yordan, Altuve and Urquidy will help but they need another SP and possibly a bat if Brantley isn’t going to make it back

      2
      Reply
      • ChazzyB

        2 years ago

        I’d personally like to see us add another bullpen arm. Our bullpen has just been so taxed to this point & not being able to rely on Montero has cost us. I’d put a bullpen arm as the 2nd priority behind acquiring a SP as #1. And preferably a bullpen arm who can be used in leverage situations. A bat would be my 3rd priority, not as concerning to me at this point. A solution there should be to have Yainer catch more frequently…have Maldonado catch Framber only & 50/50 split with Javier. Then let Diaz get all of the rest of the starts with Brown, Urquidy, France, Bielak, etc.

        Call up Singleton & see what you have there as well as a potential DH option. Could help solve some offensive issues.

        2
        Reply
  6. mlb fan

    2 years ago

    At this point, Michael Brantley seems like a myth, an urban legend. I’m not even really sure there was an MLB player named Michael Brantley.

    Reply
    • stroh

      2 years ago

      Feels that way but I have a feeling he will return just before we totally give up or Stros ready to pull trigger at trade deadline. Probably just wishing but we’ll know more real soon – his latest slowdown was supposedly only 3-4 days – about 3-4 days ago

      1
      Reply
  7. DUDDUS

    2 years ago

    F***

    Reply
  8. texgal01

    2 years ago

    Curious with something

    Why have the Astros had Hensley, Madris, Salazar, Kessinger all with team for first half. All played very little. Salazar caught a couple times and pinch hit and rest got in games only when team member really needed day off. Did we not have anyone to really contribute. I think Hensley and Salazar made team roster even to start season. None of these players look like even going anywhere with us if with any team. Will any of them get us anything

    I could see Houston getting a starter most likely. Whether a bat not sure. Who would be a target to get. I do not see us getting Ohtani. Granted whether a future on reaching playoffs or more if kept him. I am sure he wants to be elsewhere. I could see maybe Giolito, Montgomery, Bieber or Flaherty being looked at. A bat not sure.

    Outfield will Chas, Julks or Meyers be dealt. Brantley is done. Doubt any team wants. Whether Brantley still has anything to give. If still shoulder issue. Guess we shall see what Dana does in the next couple of weeks plus. Hopefully ASTROS come out hot and Rangers cool off.

    Reply
    • stroh

      2 years ago

      Roster construction with Dana Brown has been a mystery. Dusty won’t play guys brought up from AAA as temp fillers and I doubt Brown has any influence on that. So Brown does something and Dusty does what he wants.

      Reply
    • ChazzyB

      2 years ago

      Ideally Meyers is the one dealt out of those three. However not sure who would have more value between Meyers & Julks…considering Meyers has been struggling at the plate, but he plays a premium position & is an above average defender.
      Julks, sizzling going into the all star break but more of an LF only just about. Both have multiple years of control & feel like either of them could fetch something decent in return…but I certainly hope Meyers is the one to be be dealt. Would free up McCormick to play every day in CF & Dubon can play there as well which he hasn’t done all year.

      Reply
  9. thomasg1951

    2 years ago

    I don’t think there will be an announcement on Brantley until after the trade deadline.

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Please login to leave a reply.

Log in Register

    Top Stories

    Red Sox Place Hunter Dobbins On 15-Day IL Due To ACL Tear

    Astros Promote Brice Matthews

    Red Sox Likely To Activate Alex Bregman Tomorrow

    Phillies Reportedly Targeting Controllable Relievers

    Yankees Prioritizing Pitching, Also Searching For Infield Help

    Orioles Trade Bryan Baker To Rays

    Yankees Release DJ LeMahieu

    Trevor Williams To Undergo UCL Surgery

    Nationals Fire PBO Mike Rizzo, Manager Dave Martinez

    Brewers Activate Brandon Woodruff

    Clarke Schmidt Expected To Undergo Tommy John Surgery

    Bobby Jenks Passes Away

    Braves Release Alex Verdugo

    Top 40 Trade Candidates For The 2025 Deadline

    Rays Reinstate Ha-Seong Kim

    Yankees Have Shown Interest In Ryan McMahon

    Royals Interested In Bryan Reynolds

    Rangers Option Josh Jung

    Kevin Pillar Announces Retirement

    Braves Place Spencer Schwellenbach On IL With Elbow Fracture

    Recent

    Royals Receiving Interest In Catching Prospects

    J.C. Escarra Drawing Trade Attention

    Cristian Javier Begins Rehab Assignment

    Multiple Teams Showing Interest In DJ LeMahieu

    Rafael Devers Suffering From Disk Injury In Lower Back

    Mets’ Dedniel Nunez To Undergo Tommy John Surgery

    Trade Deadline Outlook: Seattle Mariners

    Reds Activate Jake Fraley, Option Christian Encarnacion-Strand

    Red Sox Place Hunter Dobbins On 15-Day IL Due To ACL Tear

    Cubs Select Brooks Kriske

    MLBTR Newsletter - Hot stove highlights in your inbox, five days a week

    Latest Rumors & News

    Latest Rumors & News

    • Sandy Alcantara Rumors
    • Luis Robert Rumors
    • Alex Bregman Rumors

     

    Trade Rumors App for iOS and Android App Store Google Play

    MLBTR Features

    MLBTR Features

    • Remove Ads, Support Our Writers
    • Front Office Originals
    • Front Office Fantasy Baseball
    • MLBTR Podcast
    • Trade Deadline Outlook Series
    • 2025-26 MLB Free Agent List
    • Contract Tracker
    • Transaction Tracker
    • Extension Tracker
    • Agency Database
    • MLBTR On Twitter
    • MLBTR On Facebook
    • Team Facebook Pages
    • How To Set Up Notifications For Breaking News
    • Hoops Rumors
    • Pro Football Rumors
    • Pro Hockey Rumors

    Rumors By Team

    • Angels Rumors
    • Astros Rumors
    • Athletics Rumors
    • Blue Jays Rumors
    • Braves Rumors
    • Brewers Rumors
    • Cardinals Rumors
    • Cubs Rumors
    • Diamondbacks Rumors
    • Dodgers Rumors
    • Giants Rumors
    • Guardians Rumors
    • Mariners Rumors
    • Marlins Rumors
    • Mets Rumors
    • Nationals Rumors
    • Orioles Rumors
    • Padres Rumors
    • Phillies Rumors
    • Pirates Rumors
    • Rangers Rumors
    • Rays Rumors
    • Red Sox Rumors
    • Reds Rumors
    • Rockies Rumors
    • Royals Rumors
    • Tigers Rumors
    • Twins Rumors
    • White Sox Rumors
    • Yankees Rumors

    Navigation

    • Sitemap
    • Archives
    • RSS/Twitter Feeds By Team

    MLBTR INFO

    • Advertise
    • About
    • Commenting Policy
    • Privacy Policy

    Connect

    • Contact Us
    • Twitter
    • Facebook
    • RSS Feed

    MLB Trade Rumors is not affiliated with Major League Baseball, MLB or MLB.com

    Do not Sell or Share My Personal Information

    hide arrows scroll to top

    Register

    Desktop Version | Switch To Mobile Version