The Astros got encouraging news from Yordan Alvarez as the slugger completed his first rehab assignment with Double-A Corpus Christi on Tuesday. The 28-year-old went 2-for-4 with a double and even stole a base in what looks like a promising step toward his return.
“Feels really good,” Alvarez said through an interpreter after the game. “It’s been one heck of a year, especially dealing with this injury and stuff, but I am very thankful that I am getting to the point where I’m at.”
“Astros’ Yordan Alvarez, via interpreter Cassie Reyna, said his hand feels good and he’s growing more comfortable each at-bat, even fouling off pitches. He went 2 for 4 with a double during Tuesday’s rehab with the Hooks.”
That’s the kind of update Houston’s been waiting to hear. Alvarez has been out since early May with a hand injury, leaving a massive hole in the middle of their lineup. Before going down, he was hitting .210 with three homers and 18 RBIs in 29 games – numbers that don’t tell the whole story of what he means to this team.
The Astros have dealt with injuries across their roster this season, but losing Alvarez for most of the year has been particularly tough. When healthy, he’s one of the most feared hitters in the American League.
What makes this rehab start encouraging isn’t just the 2-for-4 line. Rey Castillo of the Caller-Times reported that Alvarez said his hand feels good and he’s growing more comfortable with each at-bat, even when fouling off pitches. That’s exactly what you want to hear from a guy working his way back from a hand injury.
The stolen base adds another layer of optimism. That shows he’s feeling confident enough to be aggressive on the basepaths, which suggests the hand isn’t limiting him as much as it was earlier in his recovery.
Houston’s in a tight race with Seattle for the AL West, and getting Alvarez back could be the difference maker they need down the stretch. His presence in the lineup changes everything – not just his own production, but how opposing pitchers have to approach the entire Astros order.
The timeline for his return isn’t clear yet, but this first rehab outing gives the organization plenty of reasons to feel good about where things are heading. If Alvarez continues progressing like this, the Astros could have their cleanup hitter back just when they need him most.
