Air Yordan is back. The Astros announced today that outfielder/designated hitter Yordan Alvarez has been reinstated from the 60-day injured list. They had an open 40-man roster spot due to right-hander Shawn Dubin getting designated for assignment earlier this week. The Astros optioned infielder Brice Matthews to Triple-A to open an active roster spot.
The return of Alvarez is potentially a huge boost for the Astros down the stretch, as he is one of the most potent hitters in baseball when he’s at his best. He came into this year with 164 home runs and a .298/.390/.583 slash line, which translates to a 166 wRC+.
He has not been that guy in 2025. He hit .210/.306/.340 through 121 plate appearances before landing on the 15-day IL in early May. The club listed his injury as right hand inflammation. Later that month, it was thought that he was nearing a return but then the club found a fracture in the ring finger of that right hand.
Setbacks with that hand issue prevented him from starting a rehab assignment until a few days ago. He recently played in four Double-A games, stepping to the plate 17 times with no home runs but a huge .467/.529/.733 slash line.
That rehab performance is obviously encouraging but Alvarez will likely remain something of a wild card until he gets back on track at the big league level. Getting peak Alvarez back would obviously be tremendous for the Astros but it’s unclear if that’s possible. Houston is trying to hold off Seattle in the West, currently holding to a lead of 1.5 games, and will obviously welcome all the help it can get.
He is in tonight’s lineup and playing left field, alongside center fielder Jacob Melton and right fielder Jesús Sánchez. Lately, Jose Altuve has been seeing a lot of time in the designated hitter slot and is in there again tonight. It’s possible that guys like Cam Smith, Chas McCormick and Mauricio Dubón see a bit less playing time now. Dubon can also play second and is at the keystone tonight, though Ramón Urías is also a factor there, as well as Altuve.
Photo courtesy of Troy Taormina, Imagn Images
C’mon baby let’s gooooooooooo
what was the initial diagnosis by the astros tm doctor, dr seuss? broken fingernail?
only took 4 months to come back for f sake. yordan better hit 2 hrs tonite
Well this is potentially the biggest news for the rest of the season.
About damn time we got some good news!!!
If he’s back in form within next few weeks, Yordan and Altuve can do the heavy lifting in playoffs as usual. They and the lethargic Mets (with Soto) have key stars that thrive under pressure…..not get tight. Regular season stars like Judge and pending FA Tucker are guys who need to lift their clubs instead of relying on teammates to produce against good pitching.
Against Colorado’s pitching? Probably going to have a decent offensive night, tonight. 2-3, 2B, HR, 3RBI.
I thought this guy retired
In the middle of a $115 million contract?
This might make things harder for the Mariners. I hope not.
by all means keep dubon in the lineup………………………..