The Houston Astros' list of injured players has lengthened as the season has gone along, but that still hasn't stopped them from winning ball games.
A number of players in the team's lineup (Brendan Rogers, Isaac Paredes and Jake Meyers) and starting rotation (Ronel Blanco, Cristian Javier, Lance McCullers Jr. and Spencer Arrighetti) have been placed on the shelf for extended periods of time in 2025. The Astros, though, remain atop the AL West with a 64-50 record, three games ahead of the second-place Seattle Mariners.
The Astros significantly bolstered their roster ahead of the trade deadline, with Carlos Correa's return to the franchise serving as their most notable addition. Their offense could soon experience another jolt through designated hitter Yordan Alvarez, who recently made progress in his recovery from a fractured right hand.
According to MLB.com, Alvarez took batting practice at the team's spring training facility in West Palm Beach, Florida, on Tuesday. MLB.com's Brian McTaggart previously reported on July 21 that Alvarez had been hitting baseballs of a tee and participating in soft toss drills while swinging at 60-65% intensity.
The Astros are aiming for Alvarez's big-league return to come in mid-August, per Michael Schwab of the Ice Box Insider.
Alvarez has been missing from the Astros' lineup since he was initially placed on the injured list on May 5. He was subsequently transferred to the 60-day injured list on July 2.
In 100 at bats this season, Alvarez has hit .210 with three home runs, 18 RBIs and a .646 OPS. Alvarez, the 2019 American League Rookie of the Year, has also won a World Series championship and made three All-Star teams in his time with the Astros.