All-Star Astros slugger Yordan Alvarez returns to lineup after nearly 4 months for stretch run of heated AL West race

The three-time All-Star and former ALCS MVP is back in time for the stretch run as the Astros look to hold of the Mariners in the AL West race.

Yordan Alvarez returns to the lineup as Houston looks to fend off Seattle in a tight AL West race.
Yordan Alvarez returns to the lineup as Houston looks to fend off Seattle in a tight AL West race. 
Michaela Schumacher via Getty Images

The Houston Astros are getting an upgrade in time for the stretch run.

Three-time All-Star slugger Yordan Alvarez has been activated from the injured list after missing nearly four months with a bone fracture in his right hand. He's in the lineup for Tuesday's game against the Colorado Rockies and will bat cleanup

Alvarez has been sidelined with the injury that was initially diagnosed as a muscle strain since May 3. The Astros initially expected Alvarez to miss a few weeks with the injury before imaging on May 31 revealed that he'd actually sustained a bone fracture

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His return is lineup is timely as the Astros are engaged in a competitive race atop the AL West with 31 games remaining in their regular season. The Astros enter Tuesday at 72-59, with a 1.5-game lead over the Seattle Mariners for first place in the division. The 71-61 Mariners have a four-game lead over the Kansas City Royals for the final wild card spot in the American League.

Alvarez was an All-Star in each season from 2022-24. He led the Astros in 2024 with a .308 batting average, 35 home runs and 86 RBI in 2024. He's received MVP votes in each of the last three seasons and won a Silver Slugger in 2022 while finishing third in AL MVP voting.

Alvarez has also come up clutch in the postseason. In 60 career playoff games, Alvaraz has slashed .294/.393/.591 with 12 home runs and 41 RBI. He was named ALCS MVP in 2022 en route to Houston's World Series victory over the Philadelphia Phillies.

Category: General Sports